Map of islands, Ameland in distance.We parked the car in Blija, near the nature preservation reserve, known as(in Fries): the Noard- Fryslxe2n Bxfbtendyks, ( in Dutch) the Noord- Fries Buiten dykes.
birds feeding, standing, in preservation area.
The dyke that we stood on was the inner dyke and between this dyke and the outer dyke, is where this nature preservation area is, actually it is a marsh (kwelder).Before it was reclaimed land (known as polder or in gepolderd land). The polder was flooded a little to let it become a marsh again so that the plants could grow again and this feeds the birds.
There are so many birds, so many different types, it is amazing to see, it is a haven for bird watchers, and if you are not do take binoculars, (I forgot mine sad to say), you can then see all the different birds, moreclearly.
We saw a large amount sitting, and standing on the sand embankment and as you walked by they would rise in the air in a large flock and you could hear the noise they made with their wings as they flapped them up and down in flight, it reminded me of the sound of a helicopter when the rota's just begin to spin, it was magnificent.
marsh, kwelder, used to be wadden sea.
In different seasons of the year you get different coloured plants growing in the marsh, it is spectacular in colours that is realeased.
We saw that this stretch of what was once the Wadden sea, is now a nature preservation area for birds to migrate, hatch their eggs, look for food and can rest in peace and tranquillity, in a natural inviroment.
It is run by a organisation called, (in Fries): "It Fryske Gea", (provincial organisation
for nature protection of Friesland.
Marja standing on top of inner dyke, the wind was strong.
The wind was very strong, it was whipping our hair around and the wind was so strong that it was tugging on your trouser legs and it was so cold that you could feel it through your clothing, but at the same time it was exhilarating.
As we walked along the top of the inner dyke, we would stop now and again and look across at the islands that we would see in the distance, the one that was opposite to our position, was Ameland and in the distance we could see the harbour pier, where you boarded the ferry from Holwerd to go to Ameland.
The ferries were in the distance on the Wadden sea, zig-zagging across, towards Holwerd.
farms in distance, with ploughed lands.
we then walked on a path running at the base of the inner dyke, as we were so cold from the wind. It was like being on another side of a mountain so to speak, as on top of the dyke you had the vision of the islands, ferries and the preservation area, and at the base of the dyke this was blocked from view, but you had the in polderd land, the villages in the distance, and the farms and ploughed land on this side of the dyke.
base of inner dyke, cotton wool clouds.
As we continued to walk at the base back towards the car, the sun had come out, and the clouds were extremely beautiful against the blue sky, like great big cotton balls, soft and fluffy. I guess this is my favourite stretch of dyke that I have walked and I am definitely coming back.
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