Experience and discover

Experience nature

Animal spotting

 

Have you been on ‘Wijer’ safari?

 

 

Discover the most typical animals of the ‘Wijers'.

 

Amphibians

 

Some special species
• Moor frog
• Tree frog
• Natterjack toad
• Garlic toad
• Northern crested newt
• Smooth newt
• Palmate newt

 

 

When?
The best chance to spot amphibians is spring time, from March to June, when they go on a trip to the water or sit in the water…

Where?
Search in sloping banks of ponds and pools.
In the 'Wijers', you will find 'educational ponds', where you can conduct research either on your own or with a guide. You will find them in the Urban Nature Centre in Kiewit Estate (Hasselt) and the Provincial Nature Centre in Bokrijk (Genk).

 

Stedelijk Natuurcentrum Kiewit
Putvennestraat 108
Hasselt

Provinciaal Natuurcentrum Bokrijk
Craenevenne 86
Genk

Natuur- en sportcentrum Schulensmeer
Demerstraat 60
Lummen
 

 

Fish

 

Some special species
• Carper
• Tench
• Pike
• Three-spined stickleback
• Ten-spined stickleback
• Common bream
• Eel

 

 

Where?
From the footpath or the pontoons in Kelchterhoef Estate (Houthalen-Helchteren), Schulensmeer (Lummen) and Bovy Estate (Heusden-Zolder), you can sometimes spot fish. Alternatively, you can talk to the anglers and see what they have caught!
Of course, you can have a go at fishing yourself, but you can’t start fishing just like that. You first have to buy a fishing permission. There are also rules about where, how and when you can fish. More information about where you can fish in the 'Wijers' can be found here .

All information can be found on www.natuurenbos.be/visserij

Domein Kelchterhoef
Kelchterhoefstraat z/n
Houthalen-Helchteren

Domein Bovy
Galgeneinde 22
Heusden-Zolder

Schulensmeer
Demerstraat 60
Lummen

 

Water bugs

Some special species
• Lesser water boatman
• Common pond skater
• Water beetle
• Water scorpion
• Swan mussel
• Backswimmers
• Common whirligig beetle

When?
The best time to spot them is between March and November.

Where?
You will find most bugs in the shallow water between the plants on the banks.
In the 'Wijers', you will find 'educational ponds', where you can conduct research either on your own or with a guide. You will find them in the Urban Nature Centre in Kiewit Estate (Hasselt) and the Provincial Nature Centre in Bokrijk (Genk).
You can spot water bugs from the foot path in Kelchterhoef Estate (Houthalen-Helchteren) and Bovy Estate (Heusden-Zolder) or at Camping ‘Heidestrand’ (Zonhoven).
Stedelijk Natuurcentrum Kiewit
Putvennestraat 108
Hasselt

Provinciaal Natuurcentrum Bokrijk
Craenevenne 86
Genk

Domein Kelchterhoef
Kelchterhoefstraat z/n
Houthalen-Helchteren

 

Domein Bovy
Galgeneinde 22
Heusden-Zolder

Camping Heidestrand
Zwanenstraat 105
Zonhoven

Natuur- en sportcentrum Schulensmeer
Demerstraat 60
Lummen

 

Dragonflies and damselflies

Some special species:
• Emperor dragonfly
• Large white-faced darter
• Common darter
• Red-eyed damselfly
• Spotted darter
• Willow emerald damselfly
• Black-tailed skimmer
• Downy emerald
• Scarlet dragonfly

When?
You can spot them from early May to late October. Choose a warm, sunny day. After all, they take shelter in bad weather.

Where?
Dragonflies and damselflies are usually found near fresh water. You are bound to spot them on the banks. All ponds in the ‘Wijers’ are suitable to go on a dragonfly hunt, but the ponds in Kelchterhoef, Bokrijk Estate, Kiewit Estate, Camping ‘Heidestrand’ and Bovy Estate are perfect look-outs.

Stedelijk Natuurcentrum Kiewit
Putvennestraat 108
Hasselt

Provinciaal Natuurcentrum Bokrijk
Craenevenne 86
Genk

Domein Kelchterhoef
Kelchterhoefstraat z/n
Houthalen-Helchteren

Domein Bovy
Galgeneinde 22
Heusden-Zolder

Camping Heidestrand
Zwanenstraat 105
Zonhoven

 

 

Reed and bog birds

Some special species:
• Little bittern
• Water rail
• Little egret
• Great egret
• Grey heron
• Eurasian reed warbler
• Bluethroat
• Eurasian bittern
• Bearded reedling

 

When?
The best time to watch reed and marsh birds is in winter or early spring. Go really early in the morning, when the birds are at their most active. In the migratory period (Sept-Oct), you will see a few rare migrant birds.
Do not disturb the birds in the breeding season (15/03-30/08), when they are especially vulnerable!

Where?
With a pair of binoculars, explore the banks and the reeds in ponds.
Go to one of the many bird observation huts  or viewing walls, where you can spy on the birds without disturbing them.

 

 

Water birds

Some special species:
• Common redshank
• Little ringed plover
• Common sandpiper
• Great crested grebe
• Common greenshank
• Tufted duck
• Green sandpiper
• Black-necked grebe
• Gadwall
• Little grebe
• Northern pintail

 

When?
You can watch birds all year round. In summer, however, you often spot other birds than in winter. In addition, many water birds change their outfits in winter and wear their 'winter jackets'. The best time of day is mornings, as not so many people are about and the birds are less disturbed.
Do not disturb the birds in the breeding season (15/03-30/08), when they are especially vulnerable!

Where?
Water birds are, of course, to be found near water, but don’t just look for them on the water, also check the reeds along the banks.
Go to one of the many bird observation huts  or viewing walls, where you can spy on the birds without disturbing them.

The bird observation huts are also indicated on the hiking maps of the ‘Wijers’. More information on www.wandeleninlimburg.be