Nature reserve Doeveren

Heide is rare in West Flanders , but you can still find it in Doeveren. In the summer you can't miss it. The purple gems then glisten in the morning dew. They are so special that you should take a closer look at them. But be careful, because they need to be well protected.

Doeveren consists largely of acid deciduous forests. In addition, there are some coniferous plantations . The forests are planted in rows , because they were originally intended for timber extraction. Especially in the lanes you will find many special plants.

In the varied landscape you also walk along historic lanes, grasslands, meadows, fallow fields, lanes and rows of trees. Doeveren is a small part of a larger green area . It is connected to the municipal domain of Merkemveld.

Animals and Plants:

In West Flanders you will find species that you will not find in the Kempense heath. Important species are red heather, pale sedge and small skullcap. Shrub heather also grows in drier places. Wild myrtle and round sundew can be found on and around the damp, hectic lanes. The nightjar, a rare bird of heath biotopes, sometimes visits Doeveren.

The semi-enclosed fields and grasslands are a favorite habitat for birds of prey such as tree falcons, buzzards, goshawks and sparrow hawks. Woodland birds such as woodcocks, black woodpeckers, honey buzzards, nightingales, collared redstarts and orioles inhabit the forests. Viviparous lizards, slow worms and fin-leg salamanders also find a place in Doeveren. They can hide very well and find a home in few other places in Flanders. In addition, many mammals such as hedgehogs, moles, hares, rabbits, muskrats, brown rats, squirrels, weasels, polecats, foxes, mice and bats pass through the area. Even a pine marten has already been captured on camera in Doeveren.

In Doeveren you will find just fire agaric. That bright red hat stands out well and is clearly scaly in dry weather. In the forests you will find both deciduous and coniferous trees, where numerous symbionts (russulas, boletes, milk mushrooms), but also beautiful cleaners (king's mantle, porcelain mushroom) and parasites (egg hare, large sponge mushroom, lodger boletus) grow.

Willem Vandenameele