Nature reserve Resterheide and the sources of the Bollisenbeek and Zwarte beek

We follow the same route as the Heron Path. Do you see the blue plaque yet?

The nature reserve Resterheide was originally a large heathland area that has been mostly forested with Scots and Corsican pine since the 19th century. The watershed between the catchment areas of the Maas and the Scheldt is located here in the Resterheide nature reserve.

Here, the Zwarte beek springs in a low-lying meadow area and continues towards the Schelde basin. As with most streams in the Kempen region, there is no real spring to be found, but rather a convergence of several ditches.

Nearby, the Bolissenbeek also springs, which does not drain water to the Schelde basin but to the Maas via the Dommel. This stream forms the natural boundary between Hechtel-Eksel and Peer. Here, the Begijnenvijvers are also located, former fish breeding ponds.

In the Resterheide nature reserve, large areas are being restored to their former wet conditions and redesigned for the garlic toad.

At the parking lot, a substantial strip of coniferous forest has been planted, transformed into a more gradual transition from forest to open heathland. This gives the forest edge (also known as mantle and edge vegetation) all the chances to develop. In this way, both forest and heathland are not only better buffered against external influences, but they also become more attractive for many species of insects, birds, and bats.

Source: www.natuurpunt.be and www.natura2000.vlaanderen.be

Natuuracademie