Groot Rietveld

Oost-vlaanderen > Belgium

Kind of a strange place, in the middle of the industrial areas of Antwerp. But a really good birding place consisting of 2 pools, partially filled with reed.

Added by Luc

Description

Groot Rietveld is an important breeding area for waterbirds. It has a seize of 80 hectare. Among the birds you can see here are Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit, Common Kingfisher, Bluethroat, Spoonbill, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, Northern Shoveler and Great Bittern.

Details

Access

By car from Antwerp: On the Expresweg towards the coast, take the Zwijndrecht industrial area exit. At the traffic lights, continue straight ahead and take the Expresweg to the right just before the railway bridge. This is the Kwarikweg from which you have a wonderful overview of the Groot Rietveld.

By car or bicycle from Beveren or the Waasland: Drive to the center of Kallo. Turn right at the traffic lights in the center. Turn right just before the power station's entrance gate. You leave the entrance to Fort Sint-Marie 100 meters further on the left and you turn right onto the 'dijk' (Kwarikweg). In front of you is the sprayed on (northern) part of the Groot Rietveld. Follow the asphalt road to the right to view the entire west side of the area.

By bike from Antwerp: Take the bike path next to the Expresweg to the coast and ride along the entire industrial area of Zwijndrecht. Just before the railway bridge you take the Expresweg on the right. This is the Kwarikweg from which you have a wonderful overview of the Groot Rietveld.

By bike from Zwijndrecht: Drive via the Neerstraat to the car viaduct over the Expresweg (there is a two-way cycle path next to the motorway). Once you cross the bridge you continue to follow the Expresweg past the traffic lights. Just before the railway bridge you take the Expresweg on the right. This is the Kwarikweg from which you have a wonderful overview of the Groot Rietveld.

By public transport: Take Bus 83 (from Antwerp Left Bank via Beveren-Markt) or Bus 88 (from tram terminal Zwijndrecht) to the center of Kallo. Cross the traffic lights again in the direction of Expresweg. After 20 meters you turn left towards Park van Kallo. Walk past the park (or take a look) and continue straight on via a cobblestone road until you reach Groot Rietveld. The Kwarikweg is located on the oil tanks with a view of the entire Groot Rietveld.

The site is not big and easy accessible. No roads on the site itself but along the edges, where you can park and watch birds over the reedbeds.