Uitkerkse Polder, protected area in Belgium (E-112)
Uitkerkse Polder is a nature reserve with wetlands and meadows spread across three municipalities along the Flemish coast. The landscape features open grasslands, shallow water areas, and scattered shrubland that together create an important refuge for many bird species.
The area gained official protection in 1997 as part of the European Natura 2000 network to preserve its ecological value. This designation was made to safeguard native species and their habitats from future changes and threats.
The reserve is shaped by traditional farming practices where cattle and sheep graze in controlled herds, keeping the meadows open and natural. This way of managing the land is deeply connected to how people have lived along this coast for generations.
The reserve can be visited and offers excellent conditions for bird watching, especially during the cooler seasons. Fixed paths run through the area, and there are viewing points that provide good views across the meadows and water areas.
The salt meadows serve as a critical stopover site where geese migrate between the Arctic and their breeding grounds, resting and refueling here. This location plays an important role in the survival of these migrating birds.
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