Haringvliet, Nature reserve and Ramsar site in South Holland, Netherlands
The Haringvliet is an expansive estuary in South Holland that forms part of the Rhine-Meuse delta system with a complex structure. It includes islands, reed beds, and open water areas that support diverse habitats and ecological functions.
Until 1970, the water held brackish conditions that shaped its ecosystem, but the construction of the Haringvliet locks changed that dramatically. This transformation redirected water flow and fundamentally altered which species could thrive there.
The area has long been shaped by fishing and reed harvesting, practices that visitors can still observe today shaping the landscape. These traditional activities remain woven into daily life around the estuary.
An information center on Tiengemeten Island provides educational resources about the local wetland and its wildlife. Access to the area is typically by water routes or designated landing points along the shoreline.
The site attracts thousands of waterfowl including spoonbills and terns that gather in large seasonal flocks. These migrating birds use this place as a critical rest stop on their long journeys between Africa and Scandinavia.
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