.jpg)
) to insert bird names in your own language. The birdnames will automatically be translated for other users!
Upload images
Allowed image types are jpeg,png,gif
Max file size is 20MB
Description
In the Hekslootpolder you can see many types of birds, especially from the bird watching hide. Depending on the season, you can see all kinds of birds in their own environment. Amongst the birds you can see are: Avocet, Common Tern, Common Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Ringed Plover, Common Shelduck, Common Teal, Water Rail, Bluethroat, Reed Bunting, Marsh Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Eurasian Spoonbill.
Details
Access
A parking place you can find at Vila Westend nearby Spaarndam. The way to enter the parking place is via Haarlem, Vondelweg and Vergierdeweg, follow the signs from there to ‘Villa Westend’ The walking route you see on the map is about 5,5 km.
Terrain and Habitat
Grassland , Reedbeds , Lake , PlainConditions
Flat , Open landscape , No shadowCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
The area is part of an old defence work named the Stelling van Amsterdam, meant to be covered with water to give the enemy no opportunity to enter the city of Amsterdam by land. The area is part of the Unesco heritage list. As the firing range (schootsveld) has to be free of obstacles, there are no buildings in the 160 ha area, an ideal place for meadow birds.
If you follow the walking route, there is also another bird area named ‘Het Landje van Gruijters’. In the route you pass 2 old fortresses: Fort South of Spaarndam and North of Spaarndam.