Zonzeel

Zonzeel is the name of a former hamlet located between Hooge Zwaluwe, Zevenbergschen Hoek, and Wagenberg. The Groote Zonzeelsche Polder is named after this hamlet, as well as a farm located in this area. This polder is a large-scale agricultural area.

The name Zonzeel is also the name of a nature reserve of about 100 ha located to the northeast of this polder, west of Hooge Zwaluwe. This area, owned by Staatsbosbeheer, is much smaller in scale and dates back to before the St. Elizabeth's flood of 1421. The area, located on the Naad of Brabant, had a tradition of peat extraction. There are still peat holes that were dug for turf extraction. The acidic, boggy substrate and high groundwater level made the area suitable only for hayfields and pastures. Along the edges of the ditches, one can find indicator species for impoverished conditions, such as two-rowed sedge, blue sedge, and female fern. In addition to pastures, there are also some young deciduous woodlands in the area. Very wet areas are managed as buttercup grassland. The area houses meadow and marsh birds. Breeding birds include summer teal, brown harrier, common snipe, black-tailed godwit, bluethroat, and yellow wagtail.

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