High-tide roosts:
havens of rest for birds
Janneke van der Velde
Hi, I’m Janneke van der Velde, gardener of the Tuin naast de Branding (the garden next to De Branding). Here you can harvest vegetables and fruit that we grow ourselves, without fertilizer or pesticides. We also grow flowers and oyster mushrooms. Over the years our garden has become a real haven of rest, just like Schiermonnikoog is a haven of rest for many plants and animals. Wading birds for example come together at so called high-tide roosts to rest and regain their strength. It’s important we leave them at peace there, because taking flight when we disturb them costs them a lot of energy
Enjoy our island!
High-tide roosts
Many of the birds on the island get their food from the mudflats: shellfish, like cockles, and other benthic animals, like lugworms, shrimps, crabs, and fish. These birds can only forage for food at low tide, when part of the mudflats have fallen dry. Therefore, they rest at high tide – during the day but also at night, there’s no difference. They do this in large groups on regular spots that are called high-tide roosts.
Outside the breeding season the island is almost completely accessible, so you can stroll through nature. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to take anything into account. Birds on high-tide roosts for example need their rest! Do you spot a large group of birds sitting together? Give them a wide berth and keep your dog on its leash. Look at the map in this brochure.
Walk the dog
Atze and Ellen Postma from restaurant
Het Wantij.
The shell paths take you to the best spots on the island
Evert-Jan Soepboer, owner of
a bike rental company and illustrator.
Use water sparingly
Ilja Zonneveld, photographer, councillor and one of the creators of Schierzeep, with water mint.
Seals are large predators, not cuddly pets
Theun Talsma, manager of the
duck decoy near De Kooiplaats.
Enjoy one of the most beautiful spots in the Netherlands
Christy Hagen, from group accommodation
Eureca and Parnassia Events &
Meer.
Don’t leave your waste; take it with you to dispose of it
Mark Lemmers, ranger at Natuurmonumenten
and a fanatical beach
comber.
Proud of our meadow birds; do not disturb them
Peter Visser of farmhouse De Duinhoeve.
Fire hazard
Halbe Kroes, one of the owners
of pension Westerburen and volunteer
of the fire brigade of Schiermonnikoog.
High-tide roosts: havens of rest for birds
Janneke van der Velde, gardener
of the Tuin naast de Branding (the garden
next to De Branding)
Make sensible use of energy
Ramón Hendriks, bus driver on the island
Our most important rules of conduct
Do not disturb
This means: don’t startle animals, keep your dog on a leash (or under control in designated off-leash areas), don’t pick anything, and of course dispose of your trash in a bin or take it home. Wild camping is not allowed on Schiermonnikoog.
Don’t access breeding areas
From April 15 to July 15 the Oosterkwelder and the beach to the east of pole 10 are closed, except for the shoreline. The same applies to parts of the Rif and the Westerstrand. Local signs tell you where you are allowed to go.
Leave the grazers alone
To keep the dune landscape open Natuurmonumenten deploys several large grazing animals: cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. Don’t pet the animals and don’t feed them, keep 50 metres distance, keep your dog on its leash and don’t cross the herds.
Smoking and campfires
Because of the danger of wildfires from April 1 to Octobre 1 smoking and campfires are not allowed in the National Park. A campfire on the beach is only allowed when you have a valid permission. Please call 0031-591-531421 for more information.
Activity beach
Kiting, kitesurfing and sand yachting are only allowed on the recreational beach between pole 3 and pole 5.
Group activities
Are you planning a group activity in the National Park? Please contact Het Baken well in advance to ask for permission.
Seals: do not disturb
Is there a seal on the beach, young or old? Keep at least 30 metres distance and keep your dog on the leash. Only if you see clear signs of illness or wounds you may call the EHBZ: 0031-591-531421.
Careful with water
Use drinking water sparingly, especially when the weather is dry.
Cycling and horse riding
When you are cycling or horse riding, please stay on the designated paths. You can find these on the map, for example from the VVV.
Safety on the beach
You can swim under supervision of KNRM lifeguards in July and August on the beach at the end of the Prins Bernhardweg. Always take the tide into account and always make sure you can still stand on the ground. Call 112 when you have found a dangerous substance.
Welcome to National Park
Schiermonnikoog
An initiative by
