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Westerplas St-Martens-Latem

Flanders  >  Belgium

The Westerplas is a controlled flooding area, and birding depends on water level. It is especially good during spring migration with waders and other migrants.

Added* by Bastiaan
Most recent update 12 February 2020

Description

As a controlled flooding area, constructed as compensation for some new developments, the Westerplas features a seasonal wetland with open water, reed, mudflads, ... You have nice viewing opportunities from the trail around the wetland. It attracts some wintering ducks, but the highlight is spring migration when waders (like Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit...) and ducks (it is a reliable site for Garganey) stop at this site. Also other migrants might be seen off course (like Barn Swallow, House Martin, Common Swift,Western Yellow Wagtail, ,Ring Ouzel). During summer and fall the site is often dry with few birds around.

Details

Access

From the parking (See the map) you have easy acces. There is a circular trail possible but birding is along the wetland, which is only a very small part of the circular trail.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Lake , Mud flats , Agriculture

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Winter

Best time to visit

Spring migration

Route

Wide path , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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