Description
The Heinis a unique part of 's-Hertogenbosch. A piece of nature, in the middle of the city, one of the few remaining parts of the winter dyke of the river Maas (Meuse). The area consists of an old dike, wheels (puddles created by dyke breaches), grassland, woods and swampy areas. The Hervense Dijk was already built in the 14th century to protect 's-Hertogenbosch during high water levels in the Beerse Maas and was a connecting road between Rosmalen and Orthen. There are wheels (breakthrough chambers) on both sides of the winding dyke.
Due to its location on a transition zone from sandy soil to river clay, the soil is mixed, the flora composition varies, making it popular with birds of various plumages. The meadows adjacent to the wheel row are grazed in one block. The 'wheels' attract birds such as Πρασινοκέφαλη Πάπια, Μαυροκέφαλη Πάπια and Ποταμογλάρονο. In the meadows many (Σταχτιά) Κουρούνα, (Ευρωπαϊκή) Κάργια and Χαβαρόνι forage. (Κοινό) Ξεφτέρι and (Κοινή) Γερακίνα hunt here. In addition to common species such as (Κοινός) Κότσυφας, (Κοινή) Φάσσα and Μαυροσκούφης, there are less common species on the Heinis such as Πράσινος Δρυοκολάπτης observed. (Ευρωπαϊκός) Κορμοράνος and Σταχτοτσικνιάς use the 'wheels' for fishing.
Details
Access
It is best to park at the shops located on the Balkweg. The area itself is best explored on foot.

