Freakers day: To Ploegsteert, a forest and old clay pits...

Early June is always busy in nature. Flowers are blooming en masse, insects are darting through the air, birds are nesting or are already busy raising their young, mammals are hunting for prey for their offspring. Wherever you are and you listen carefully, you look around you, you sniff the scent of the countryside or the forest... and you feel spring and summer in the air... then you know that we are due for a freakers day with the Torenvalk. That day when you want to have seen, heard, smelled, felt, and tasted everything nature has to offer. This year we have found a top location again. We are going to the south of the province on the border of Hainaut, West Flanders, and France. There lies Ploegsteert, yes, the village of Frank Vandenbroucke. Here we find the largest contiguous forest ‘with a past and present’ in the region. Relics of the Eerste Wereldoorlog can be found here (and not only in the forest) in large numbers. A forest full of nature, culture, and history. And recently, the cycling peloton also knows the Plugstreets. That is for the afternoon. Around six o'clock, we will take a break: time for an aperitif and an evening meal. A cozy gathering, therefore! We will end the day in the Nature and Vogelreservaat van Ploegsteert. More than 100 ha of top nature in a Natura 2000 area. From 1927, loam was extracted here for the brick industry. Ponds were created, and tens of thousands of trees were planted around the ponds. It is an area that is mainly important for water birds. What does the Ploegsteert Groep (still the owner) say about their reserve? “In 1976, the Steenbakkerijen van Ploegsteert decided to manage the mined lands as a marsh area. The non-profit organization ‘Réserve naturelle et ornithologique de Ploegsteert’ was founded. Today, the nature reserve covers about 120 ha and provides shelter to 220 different bird species. Adapted management works keep the water artificially shallow. This marsh area promotes the development of plants and animals, which also attracts countless birds. In addition, 'forest management' ensures that aggressive plant and tree species would not overgrow the entire zone. A next project is the construction of mudflat islands, which will also cause more waders to stop over. By 2025, we wish to manage a nature reserve of 150 ha in this way.” We will discover for ourselves whether the goals have been achieved. Convinced? Great, register (don't wait long) because 25 participants is the maximum. Requirements: Sturdy footwear, binoculars, and guides Appointment: at 1:30 PM at the Tielt station. Back around 11:30 PM. Registration: required before June 1 at dirk.willemyns@detorenvalk.be 0479 92 21 86 (also mention if you can drive yourself). Participation fee : For members 25 euros per person, for non-members 30 euros. Maximum 25 participants. The participation fee includes transport, aperitif and snacks, meal with adapted drinks, and a dessert Contact: marc.cassaert@detorenvalk.be 051 74 75 91