Description
The Kerswerf, the western side of the larger Beusichemse Waard, is a fairly large wetland area on the northeastern side of the city of Culemborg. It is part of the Lek river floodplains and consists of multiple large ponds which vary in waterlevel during the season. The ponds are surrounded with small shrubs and scattered trees, reedbeds and agricultural fields.
During Spring migration, the water level is (most often) fairly low which reveals lots of banks and provide an ideal foraging area for many species of migrating waders, like Sortklire, Hvidklire and Tinksmed. Common species that can be observed here are Mudderklire and Lille Præstekrave. Due to its location near the Lek river, the Kerswerf is great for rare species of migrating waders, like Stor Præstekrave, Krumnæbbet Ryle and Stylteløber. The area is also used by many species of common waterbird, but also scarcer species, like Atlingand and Skestork, can be present.
The surrounding grassy areas are during Spring an Autumn migration great for large flocks of Gul Vipstjert, Grey-headed Wagtail (thunbergi) and Sortrygget Hvid Vipstjert. Other songbirds that can be found on these pastures are Stenpikker, Vestlig Sortstrubet Bynkefugl and Bynkefugl.
Parts of the shoreline of the Lek river are used by large breeding flocks of Digesvale. They tend to forage above the ponds of the Kerswerf during the breeding season in May and June.
Details
Access
The area is not accessable due to the horses that walk around. You can observe the ponds and its banks from two observation locations near the road (see map).

