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Goudse Hout

Zuid-Holland  >  Netherlands

A large city park on the northern part of Gouda; lots of waterfowl and reedbirds.

Added* by Bas Engels
Most recent update 12 februar 2020

Description

The "Goudse Hout" is a large city park on the northern part of Gouda en consists of an old peat meadow area with many high bushes, forested areas, ditches and ponds. There's a large body of water in the western part of the area. Many species of waterfowl can be found here, like Čegrtuša, Ćubasta patka, Plovka kašikara and Belolika guska. Also, scarce species like Prevez can be found here. In summer, Obična čigra uses the water body as foraging area. Large areas of reedbeds surround the water body, which are being used as breeding habitat for Trstenjak crvrkutić, Trstenjak rogožar and Trstenjak mlakar. Also, scarce species like Svilorepi cvrčić, Obični cvrčić and Cvrčić tršćar can be found here.

The "Goudse Hout" mainly consists of old pastures with high bushes and forested areas. Within these areas, species like Grmuša čavrljanka and Žuti voljić breed. Other species, like Obična kukavica and Zelena žuna can also be found here. Lastavičar and Eja močvarica use the area as hunting ground. If you're lucky, small groups of Crna čigra, Crnoglavi galeb or even an Ribar pass overhead.

In winter, the area is mainly used by large flocks of mixed songbirds, like finches and thrushes. Large groups of Čižak and Češljugar use the area as foraging area. In the ditches, Velika bela čaplja can be found.

Details

Access

There's a large parking spot in the southern part of the park. You're able to walk a circular route around the park on (mostly) paved roads. You can either choose to go on foot or by bike and is about 5 km long. There are several information boards in the park telling about the old peat landscape. In the central part of the park, just south of the large water body, a wildlife garden is located. You can enter it for free and walk around the garden.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Wetland , Grassland , Reedbeds

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

Spring

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

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Map

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