Poplar Avenue

We leave the Sint-Sixtuspad and walk further to the right. In this poplar avenue you may be able to see an oriole. The males are in a Flemish suit: yellow with black wings. The females opt for a less conspicuous olive green with discreet stripes. Despite that bright yellow, you rarely see orioles because they live high above the ground in the treetops. If you don't manage to spot an oriole, you have a good chance of hearing the animal, because it has a very special and striking call. At the end of August, the orioles return to their wintering quarters in Africa.

Around 1970, the Dozinghembos and the Canadabos were parcelled out for the construction of weekend residences. The lots sold like hot cakes. In just a few months, dozens of mobile homes or even real chalets were built. A number of owners cut down trees and shrubs and planted new species from the region. Until 2000 there were about 60 weekend residences here. However, the forests were designated as nature reserves on the regional plans. Groengroep Poperinge and the City of Poperinge gave the go-ahead for the removal of these illegal structures on Popering's territory. The local police and the regional urban planning department later ensured that Dozinghembos was 'cleaned up'. Many subsequently sold their forest plots to the ANB.

Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos