Description
GGG Zennegat is an old river arm of the Dyle. It is now a fresh water area with mud flats and salt marshes. A sluice was built in the dike along the river Dijle, so that a part (reduced) of the flood through that sluice flows into the area twice a day and that water also flows back through this sluice back to the Dyle twice a day. This creates a varying system of ebb and flow in the area, and slowly but surely a unique area of channels and creeks and salt marshes returns. This nature reserve is therefore becoming increasingly attractive for water and marsh birds. Among the birds you can see here are Savi's Warbler, Spotted Crake, Little Egret and Marsh Harrier.
Details
Access
On the belt of Mechelen (R12), take the exit North-West 'Battelse Steenweg'. Follow this road direction Battel. You will drive under the major motorhighway E19. A 100m later the road will split in three: choose the right one: the 'Hoge Weg'. Follow this winding 'Hoge Weg' up North until you end up at a canal. Drive North along this canal (road is called 'Zennegatvaart') until the road stops at a lock on the canal. There are a few parkingspots available. GPS 51.063104, 4.431236. A circular walk is about 3 km.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland, Reedbeds, Mud flatsConditions
Flat, No shadow, High water possibleCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter, SpringRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot, Bicycle, WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
NoLinks
Birdingplaces Near
Work is still underway to create flood areas (read bird areas). There are several rivers: Dijle, Zenne, Nete, Rupel that converge there.
The 'Mechels Broek', although on the other side of Mechelen, is another interesting bird area.
And the 'Blaasveldbroek' (Heffen) and the 'Broek De Naeyer' (Klein-Willebroek) are also not that far away.