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De Horsmeertjes

Island of Texel  >  Netherlands

De Horsmeertjes are shallow lakes surrounded by thick scrubs and bushes. You can walk around a lake or enjoy one of the viewpoints.

Added* by Klaas de Jong
Most recent update 2 oktober 2025

Description

The shallow lakes are often swarmed with ducks and grebes, sometimes geese, while on the sides you can find Fiskehejre or even Sølvhejre. Rørhøg can be seen hunting from the viewpoints. In spring, especially the path between the parking and the lakes is very good for songbirds like Løvsanger , Tornirisk , Munk , Gærdesanger and Grønirisk, but also Gulbug, Sydlig Nattergal and Havesanger. The path between the lakes is good for Blåhals. From the far viewpoint you have good views over both lakes.

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Nederlands: De Horsmeertjes zijn ondiepe meren omgeven door dicht struikgewas en struweel. Je kunt rond een meer wandelen of naar een van de uitkijkpunten lopen. De plassen wemelen vaak van eenden en futen, soms ganzen, terwijl aan de zijkanten Fiskehejre of zelfs Sølvhejre te vinden is. Rørhøg kun je vanaf de uitkijkpunten zien jagen. In het voorjaar is vooral het pad tussen de parking en de meertjes erg goed voor zangvogels als Løvsanger, Tornirisk, Munk, Gærdesanger en Grønirisk, maar ook Gulbug, Sydlig Nattergal en Havesanger. Het pad tussen de plassen is goed voor Blåhals. Vanuit het verre uitzichtpunt heb je een mooi uitzicht over beide meren.

Details

Access

You can park at the Mokbaai and walk from there. The first 600 meters are accessible by wheelchair or by bike, but be warned: you'll miss a lot of birds, like Fuglekonge, while cycling!

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Nederlands: Je kunt bij de Mokbaai parkeren en vanaf daar lopen. De eerste 600 meter zijn bereikbaar met rolstoel of met fiets, maar wees gewaarschuwd: tijdens het fietsen mis je veel vogels, zoals Fuglekonge!

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Lake , Dunes , Reedbeds , Scattered trees and bushes

Conditions

Flat , Wet , No shadow , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road , Narrow trail , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

The polder behind the lakes is called Kreeftepolder and is especially good for Blåhals, but also Vestlig Sortstrubet Bynkefugl, Rørspurv and Rørhøg are easy targets there.

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Nederlands: De polder achter de meertjes heet Kreeftepolder en is goed voor Blåhals, maar ook Vestlig Sortstrubet Bynkefugl, Rørspurv en Rørhøg zijn daar gemakkelijke doelwitten.

Links

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

Map

Top 5 birds

Skeand
1. Skeand
(Spatula clypeata)
Lille Skallesluger
2. Lille Skallesluger
(Mergellus albellus)
Hvinand
3. Hvinand
(Bucephala clangula)
Sorthalset Lappedykker
4. Sorthalset Lappedykker
(Podiceps nigricollis)
Sølvhejre
5. Sølvhejre
(Ardea alba)

Other birds you can see here

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Comments & Tips

Local guide

Discover the birds of Texel with Klaas de Jong

Island of Texel  >  Netherlands

Texel is one of the best bird watching destinations in the Netherlands. Bird watchers from all over Europe come to this Wadden Sea island to watch birds. Rare birds and vagrants are often seen on Texel and interesting birds can be observed all year round.  Klaas de Jong - one of the most reputed bird guides in the Netherlands - lives on Texel and knows the island as no other. Klaas offers full day or half day birding tours. Klaas shows you countless bird species and always searches for the most recent rarities on the island.

Handy pick-up-service

One of the great services Klaas provides, is the pick-up-service. His minibus can pick you up at your hotel or at the ferry port. A very convenient service if you only have a day to explore the island. Directly from the ferry you you can start off and from there Klaas takes you to the best birding areas of the island.

For more information about Klaas' bird tours, times and prices visit his website.

Website Klaas de Jong
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