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Rated 4.46875 stars out of 5
(16 ratings)

Uitkerkse Polder

Coast  >  Belgium

Salty meadows close to the Flemish coast. It is the most important meadow bird area in Flanders, both in summer and in winter.

Added* by Antoinne Sterk
Most recent update 11 august 2024

Description

Located between the busy seaside towns of Blankenberge and De Haan and the quiet polder villages of Zuienkerke and Nieuwmunster, lies an ancient pasture landscape, the Uitkerkse Polder. During the winter thousands of geese settle here, while spring brings hundreds of meadow birds like Svarthalespove, Rødstilk, Tjeld, Vipe, Avosett and Knekkand. Also good chances to see Jordugle in autumn and especially winter and early spring.

Details

Access

Best explored walking/cycling. The visitor centre is located at the eastern part of the area. This is a good starting point for the various routes throughout the Uitkerkse Polder. There are three bird hides in walking distance of the visitor center. Shown on the map is the longest walking route (6,7 km). If you travel by car, follow the signs from the Saint Amand's Church in Uitkerke. Click on the P in the map to get directions to the parking of the visitor center.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Agriculture , Grassland

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

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

Map

birdingplace
bird
hide/platform
lookout tower
parking
point of interest
restaurant/café
viewpoint
visitor centre
Route
1 km

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Comments & Tips

Bastiaan (2020-12-08)

Ook de kijkhut Lepelaar (Eendekooi Wenduine) is een topper in het gebied!

Christiaen MOUS (2022-11-28)

Prachtig gebied waar ik voor de eerste keer Jordugle van mijn levenslijst kon afvinken. Op verschillende plaatsen in Vlaams Brabant gepoogd om 1 exemplaar te zien, maar nooit het geluk gehad. Vrijdag was ik in de Uitkerkse Polders met een kameraad en zag op 1 dag 8 Velduilen. Mijn verlengd weekend kon al niet meer kapot.

Christiaen MOUS (2022-12-30)

Bij een bezoek aan dit gebied heb ik voor het eerst in mijn leven de Jordugle van dichtbij kunnen spotten. Mijn dag was compleet wanneer ik 8 verschillende velduilen zag jagen. Het zijn natte graslanden wat het dus in de winter ook leuk maakt om wintergasten te spotten. Een gebied dat je zeker moet plaatsen op de to-bird lijst!

Michail Sobadjiew (2024-08-05)

This is clearly a 5 star area, 1400ha in Flanders is enormous! Sivhauk (5 breeding pairs in 2023) and Sivsanger (336 pairs) should be added to the list, even come to the top 5. To me the little species should get more attention here, some of them you don't see or hear anymore elsewhere, they give a beautiful concert in spring like Sanglerke , Sivsanger , Blåstrupe, Gulerle. This year I had also Rørdrum and Sumpsanger (2 pairs in 2023). All the breeding numbers of the whole area are easily found (in dutch) on the following link: https://uitkerkse-polder.be/broedvogelsnieuw.html. Thanks to all who contribute to birdingplaces.eu!

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