Meadow bird reserve

The meadow bird reserve Ter Doest owes its origin to the Cistercians.

Clay was extracted here for making bricks for the construction of the abbey. The low-lying marshy area that resulted is known as 'Monnikenmoere'. The natural condition is heavily influenced by the Boudewijn Canal, which was constructed in 1899. The brackish (=slightly salty) water of this canal seeps into these low, marshy grasslands. As a result, various salt-resistant plants grow in this area, including sea lavender, sea beet, salt marsh rush, sea club-rush, and milkweed. The grasslands are particularly suitable as breeding grounds for meadow birds. Oystercatchers, lapwings, black-tailed godwits, and the rare redshanks breed here annually with multiple pairs. Nature reserves started here in 1995 with the purchase and management of the first plots.

The reserve is only accessible through guided walks. Info: Peter Tailllaert. Tel: 050/ 54 54 72

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