The dunes are one kilometer
from our house. When I dig to the deepth of 1 meter in the garden, I get
sand. In the
years we lived here, the soil has been improved by adding compost, But it is
still light soil..
History.
The dunes in the Netherlands are much younger than, for example, the river
dunes. 20.000 years
ago the North Sea did not exist yet. There was a dry inhabited area. About
10.000 years ago during a climate change the sea level began to rise.
About 8000 years ago the Dutch coastline was established. There were also large
fen areas.
The ancient dunes and sandy beaches were formed 3000 v AD - 1000 AD.
The younger dunes and beaches were formed from the 12th century AD.
The dunes were formed of course by the winds along the sand. They were stabilized by vegetation, like
sand couch (Elytrigia juncea subsp. boreoatlantica) and European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria).
Later by common juniper (juniperus communis) and sea-buckthorns (Hippophae
rhamnoides). The common juniper is disappeared in the dunes. In some parts are
forests now.
From 1400 - 1600 there was much wind. The ancient dunes were covered by new
sand.
South of Bergen lime-loving plants grow in calcium-rich sand. The sand (blown
from the sandbanks) is from different areas. That's why the sand is not
sometimes deficient in lime.
Deficient in lime near the village Schoorl: heather (Calluna vulgaris), creeping
willow (Salix repens)
Calcium-rich: sweet briar or eglantine rose (Rosa rubiginosa, Rosa eglanteria),
sea-buckthorns (Hippophae rhamnoides), wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) en elderberry
(Sambucus).
The area between Bergen and Bergen aan Zee. 16-11-2008
Near the sea Bergen aan Zee direction Egmond. 23-03-2008
De slufter - Texel
The dunes of Texel I also visit regularly. However, usually with many children
and
then you don't have much time to study nature.
The Slufter always makes the biggest impression. I enjoy this area. It is located in the north of Texel.
During a heavy storm in 1851 the dunes broke at different places.
(including
the Krim and the Muy) The closing of the Slufter failed.
Now everybody is happy with the Slufter.
At high tide seawater streams into the Slufter through creeks and at low
tide it streams out again.
Because of the salty water the vegetation consists of salt tolerant plants
like sea lavender (Limonium vulgare), salicornia, sea thrift (Armeria
maritima) and seaside alkaligrass (Puccinellia maritima).
Furthermore, there are many birds.
In 1997 it's been tried to make a "small slufter" between Bergen
and Schoorl. (De Kerf) The dunes were broken. But it wasn't a succes
because the wind blow new sand in it.
The Slufter - Texel (photo 2006)
De Kerf.
I cycled to the Kerf on April 6. It was nice weather. But
unfortunately a bit foggy.
From Bergen to Schoorl
I cycled through the forest. But there are also beautiful
views. Too bad that the heath is not flourishing yet.
After the view through the forest again.
A board with an explanation.
Observation point.
The Kerf. There is no water..
View to the other direction.
I have made some photos, when I walked back to my bike.
On two photos, you can see the forest in the distance. The last picture is
the path towards Schoorl aan Zee.
Here are some photos of the same area on a beautiful day August 23, 2009. The
heather was in bloom. It has been a long dry summer.
Dunes
with flowering heather.
One place I stopped and I have taken some photos around me . It is nice to
see how different the dunes are.
Noordhollands Duinreservaat.
This area belongs to the Noordhollands Duinreservaat. (North Holland Dune
Reserve). This is between the Noordzeekanaal and Schoorl. (approximately
5300 ha) and is in command of the province of Noord-Holland managed by
the PWN
(Provinciaal Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland). (The Provincial
Water company North Holland ).
You have to pay for entry into the dunes. There are ticket machines located at
the entrance now. In the VVV shops, you can also buy annual subscriptions.
Because we are members of Natuurmonumenten.
(English: Society for preservation of nature
monuments in the Netherlands) we get discount.
Forest fire - dune fire near Schoorl.
Forest fire - dune fire near Schoorl.
Sunday 6-9-09 I have cycled to Schoorl to watch the damage of the fire.
I have taken some photos of the outside of the burnt area. A part of the
area was still cordoned off. I haven't been there of course..
The nature on the photos will recover quickly I think (hope).
Next year, I'll take pictures, to see how fast it recovers.
On this photo I was on the way to burned area. In the distance you can see
it.
Bergen aan Zee - Parnassia Park (Photos June 2009)
In Bergen aan Zee (Bergen to the Sea) is situated the park Parnassiapark. Formerly
we often walked through the park after a visit to the beach with the kids. Away from the crowds on the
beach.
Today there is a small education building, where changing exhibitions are held
over nature. Open: Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00. Volunteers from the group
Parnassia put the job done.
The park contains a pond, a botanical garden with wild plants, a playground and
a field including sheep and goats.
It is not big, but you can easily walk from the park into the dunes. Or of
course, to the beach..
The road from Bergen to Bergen aan zee (Bergen to sea).
The road runs through the dunes. There are also hiking trails and bike
paths, which go into the dunes.
Cars are also parked near Bergen aan Zee. Sometimes for a
dune walk, but also because in Bergen aan Zee is no place to be found.
The education building in the Parnassiapark
The education building. Here you can drop your bike.
Parnassiapark. Wild flowers.
Parnassiapark: Paddenpoel (Pond)
More photos of the Parnassiapark.
Walk from the road to Bergen aan Zee. (13-9-2009)
On the right is a parking lot. From the parking you can have walk through the
dunes. (see photos right on top of this page.) We have crossed the road to
Bergen now and walked towards Egmond. ( old
photo) The walk you see pictured on the board .
It was raining slightly.
We have taken the red route.
There are also many grazers in the dunes..
If you already have walked a bit, you suddenly see this
beautiful statue of Victor Westhoff.
Prof. Dr. Victor Westhoff (November 12, 1916 to March 12, 2001) is a
biologist. He was involved in vegetation science and nature. Here you can
read more about him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Westhoff
A beautiful and appropriate place for such a picture.
We saw two horses in the wild. On the right picture you see a few hazy
spots. This is because the rain drops on the lens.
Unfortunately we have seen no other animals.
A few photos of the dunes in the not too nice weather.
I can recommend the walk. Even if it rains.
Dunes in Winter.
Photo's 10-1-2010. I have walked through the village Bergen to the
dunes. This time to the "Drie Banken". (the Three Banks)
First I walked along the ruļnekerk (Ruin
church) of Bergen and a statue of Roland Holst.
The church is build in the 15th century.
Because it was feared that the Spaniards, who had besieged Alkmaar, could come back, the church was burned in 1574. (during the Eighty Years
War - information :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighty_Years'_War ) Only a part is restored.
Fortunately, the ruins are still there.
Roland Holst 1988 - 1976
This famous poet lived in Bergen. He was nicknamed "Prince of Dutch poets".
On the outside of the village you can find the museum "Kranenburgh"
In 1851 G.C.J. Reenen bought the area Bergen . His son Jacob van Reenen in 1882
built the house "Craen Berch" . Later the house was used as a mayoral residence and
called "House Kranenburgh". The artists Luceber and Ans Wortel and have
lived in Kranenbugh.
In the garden behind and in the front of the house are statues made by eg Jan Toorop and Lucebert.
Information in Dutch: http://www.museumkranenburgh.nl/
I can recommend a visit.
I walked direction the village Bergen aan Zee.
Then I turn right and go into the woods. Now I walk towards the village
Schoorl.
After the stairs in the picture you can turn right to the ski slope. I
turned left to the Drie Banken ( "Three Banks").
Here you have a beautiful view of the "Three Banks" The area is so named,
because three banks have been placed at a high top.
Actually this area is called the Russengat (Russian hole). This is a
less funny story. On September 19, 1799, the Russians and French
were fighting on this place. The battlefield was part of the "Battle of
Bergen". (English and Russian against the French) More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bergen_(1799)
When there is snow, you see parents and children from Bergen on the sled. When our children were young, we've
often been here. The paths were were very slicky, for they were used
for sledding.
A few more photos of this beautiful area.
Here I am on the other side of the Drie Banken (Three Banks). I have
taken photos of the dunes and then I have walked back home.
Already the third fire.
In April 2010 there was already the third dune fire. It is very probable that there is an arsonist. This time it was a part
of the dunes where I often bike. (Between Bergen and Schoorl)
There are also small dune lakes.
Old trees remain. The insects are happy with the trees.
There were some click beetles that day. This is an Ampedus. Information on
the page "beetles"
This area with heath was completely burned.
Here is a picture of better times: heath
The fire had come to the bike path.
Some Photos
If you continue to ride you can enjoy again the beautiful vistas without burnt trees.
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