  Zuidhollandse Biesbosch
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| Page Views: 5,462 Last Visit to Zuidhollandse Biesbosch: July, 2003 | diamonddog's Biesbosch Page by diamonddog - last update: Sep 30, 2004 |
National Park "The Biesbosch" History
The Zuidhollandse Biesbosch is one of the most beautiful nature parks in the Netherlands. One of the last existing sweetwatertide areas in Europe. It is a 7100 hectare measuring National Park. It consists out of the Dordtse Biesbosch, the Sliedrechtse Biesbosch and the Zuidwaard of the Brabantse Biesbosch. They are all connected by the river the Nieuwe Merwede.
It’s a huge system of rivers, little and big creeks with isles. The vegetation exist mainly of willow woods, wet grasslands and fields of reed. Before the closing of Haringvliet around 1970 the level of the water differs about 2 metres between low and high tide. Being a riverdelta, where Waal and Maas rivers meets each other, the sweetwater dominates the sea water. This biotope is ideal for some unique diversity of water birds and animals.
I visit this park often in spring , autumn and wintertime because it's only 1 hour drive from my home.
If you ever plan to visit this unique park or have some questions about it please contact or mail me. |
ReedBecause reed loves water there is a lot of this in the Biesbosch. Reed can have stalks of 5 meter long !!! From time to time the reed was chopped off and stalk carpets were made out of it.
Willows
The Biesbosch also has willow wood. This too used to be cut short every now and then and was then used to make chairs, baskets and broom sticks.
The men who did this work, worked 6 days a week and only by low water because by spring tide everything was flooded. They were paid by bunches reed en stayed overnight in a small hovel where they also had to cook and eat. In 1970 the tide disappeared and so did the workers.
Duck catchers
From 1450 on duck catchers have been active in the Biesbosch. They would catch ducks for consumption using a special cage cold an eendekooi. Duck catchers also used tame ducks to lead the wild ducks to the entrance.
If the wild duck is near the entrance the ducks will see a little dog called a kooi kertje. The ducks get curious and follow the dog. The dog leads the ducks deeper and deeper into the cage. If the ducks reach the end of the cage, the duck catcher will close the cage so the ducks are caught. Then the ducks were killed and eaten.
The cages are still used but now the ducks don't get killed anymore. The ducks are captured for research on diseases and after that released. |
The Biesbosch during the second world warDuring the Second World War the Biesbosch played an important part in transporting goods from occupied Holland to free Holland. To this purpose special routes better known as crossings, were found. The people who travel between occupied Holland and free Holland are called Line Crossers. There is a remembrance plate attached on the "Bridge of St.Jan" for those Line Crossers.
The water reservoirs
The Biesbosch is not only a recreation park and a nature park but also an area where drinking water is extracted from the ground for a big part of the Randstad (Hollands most crowded residential area). |
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| Pros: | "Birdwatchers Paradise, great nature spots !!" | | Cons: | "To much motorised boats in summertime" | | In A Nutshell: | "Canoe heaven" |
diamonddog's Zuidhollandse Biesbosch Travel Tips
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 Comments for diamonddog about Zuidhollandse Biesbosch | | | | |
tompt Mon May 15, 2006 18:15 UTC
Een trip die voor herhaling vatbaar is. Alleen in restaurant Rudie, locatie Biesbos, KIP met HOEGAARDEN! | Goldenboy Mon Mar 28, 2005 10:42 UTC
Why ... oh why... oh why ... *drama queen mode* Hihi, sokay, i've bought one in grobbet. Heel vrolijkke paassen ... | sachara Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:09 UTC
Prachtpagina van dit ecologisch interessante gebied. Wat is het er mooi. Great updates and travelogue of the last meeting! | mplessers Sat Oct 2, 2004 11:07 UTC
Just let me know when you organize the Ardennes Canoe-meeting :-) |
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