Oosterkwelder - Nature

The Oosterkwelder is a large salt marsh on the Wadden side of Schiermonnikoog, east of the Banckspolder. Natuurmonumenten calls it the wildest salt marsh in the Netherlands.

What can you expect at the Oosterkwelder?

• A growing landscape: Every high tide leaves silt behind, so the salt marsh keeps growing. Most of it formed after 1850.
• Nature takes its course: On the Oosterkwelder nature is largely left to itself, which is rare in the Netherlands.
• Purple fields: Glasswort and cordgrass grow on the low parts. Higher up, sea lavender turns the plain purple in summer, together with sea wormwood and sea thrift.
• Breeding birds: Spoonbill, redshank, oystercatcher, curlew and skylark breed here, among others.
• Research: Since 1970 scientists have been studying the effect of cattle grazing here.

Practical information

• Access: You enter the salt marsh via the Kobbeduinen.
• Breeding season: From 15 April to 15 July the salt marsh can only be visited on a guided excursion.
• Watch the tide: The salt marsh can flood at high tide and during storms. Keep an eye on the tide times.
• Combine with: The Kaap Kobbeduinen viewpoint.

The Oosterkwelder is one of the most unspoilt places in the National Park of Schiermonnikoog.

Furthermore Oosterkwelder is near the following sights: Got Tjark (±300 m), Kaap Kobbeduinen (±450 m), Kobbeduinen (±600 m), Waterstaatpad (±1,5 km) & Duck decoy De Kooiplaats (±1,8 km).

For information

Oosterkwelder, Schiermonnikoog