De Schaapskooi - Nature reserve het Wijboschbroek

Especially for the Sheepfold in Schijndel we make a series of walks with the Sheepfold as the start and end point. The sheepfold is one of the most beautiful places in Schijndel. In addition to the typical cultural heritage that has been rebuilt here, it is above all the unique inhabitants (the sheep of course) who invite you to come and visit this special location. You can also admire a number of unique buildings such as an authentic Flemish barn, a converted wagon barn and a haystack with a barn.

Warning
In spring and summer it is a true paradise here. It sometimes resembles a true jungle with chirping birds and beautiful nature. However, in winter and after wet periods it can be very soggy and it is more slithering and sliding than walking. You can really enjoy this walk in the summer months.

The Wijboschbroek used to be an area with swamp forests. The trees were cleared over time and fields were created. But as the name implies: it remained a pair of trousers, a wet area. At the end of the 19th century, the farmers gave up, raised buildings were made and trees were planted again. The beginning of the Wijboschbroek as we know it today.

The flora of the Wijboschbroek is special because of the soil and the high water level. In spring, the Forest Anemone and the Slender Primrose bloom here. But also rarer plant species such as the Eenbes and the Blue Black Rapunzel can be admired here. Later in the year, wild hops also grow here. The first plantings were poplars. The wood was used to make clogs. After 1945 came the coniferous species, such as Norway spruce, Douglas, Larch and Scots Pine. Because it is a varied forest, there are also many different birds. The nightingale, the oriole, the reed warbler, but also birds of prey such as the sparrowhawk, the hawk and the buzzard are found here. In addition, predators such as the polecat, the ermine, the weasel and the fox also live in this forest. At the edge of the forest we often encounter deer in the morning or at dusk. The numerous pools and ditches are the domain of the common toad, the brown and green frog, the small water salamander and the crested salamander. In the forest there are a number of owl boxes for the tawny owl and the barn owl.