Island formed by wind, sea and man; with polders and dunes, heaths and dune lakes and birds scurrying everywhere. A visit to Texel island always brings back that wonderful island feeling. Walking on the beach or biking through the dunes, past old farms and vibrant villages. For nature lovers there is much to enjoy in the National Park De Duinen van Texel (The dunes of Texel). Adventure trails run along wet heaths and beautiful dune lakes. Texel is primarily a bird paradise. Everywhere there are birds nesting and foraging. Texel receives about 800,000 visitors each year. But off season, you will find peace here.
Texel is the largest of the Wadden Islands. An island formed by the wind, the sea and man. Everywhere, traces of old dikes can be seen. The dunes of Texel have the national park status. Because they are very special. With vast dunes, wet dune slacks and dune forests. But also open sea plains where the wind forms new dunes. The bird richness of Texel enjoys international fame. Every spring and autumn, it’s a coming and going of migratory birds. If the mud is dry, it’s full of waders, ducks and gulls.
Garden Walls and Sheep Sheds
Biking on the dyke, you have a lovely view of the Wadden Sea. The Hoge Berg (High Mountain) is the heart of the ancient land of Texel. Scattered in the meadows, there are typical rural sheds (sheep fines). Cycling and walking trails lead past the typical Texel earthworks (garden shores/walls). Inland the calm activities of the islanders reign. In the high season there are many people on Texel. Rest seekers are wise to avoid such places as the centre of De Koog and Den Burg. Lots of peace and space in the high season as well, can be found further from the recreation centre.
National Park
National Park Duiven van Texel is one of the twenty national parks in the Netherlands. Together, they tell the story of the Dutch countryside. Full details of the Dutch flora and fauna can be found in the parks. The National Parks are special natural areas that have been appointed by the Ministry of Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. Owners, managers and other stakeholders are jointly responsible for protecting and developing the quality of nature.
Flora and Fauna
Sand argus, hawkweed, and the protected harebell grow on the typical Texel garden walls. The special bee Melitta haemorrhoidalis collects the pollen on the harebells. The dunes are the domain of the sea buckthorn, elder, heather and dune rose. You can find pennywort, mint, rare orchids and parnassia in the dune slacks. Salt-loving plants such as sea lavender, samphire and Sea Wormwood thrive on the salt marshes and mud flats.
The Geul and the Muy are home to colonies of spoonbills. In the spoonbill colony of The Geul, there’s a webcam. This year a local group of birds flew right in front of the camera. The images are unique. The camera looks at the spoonbills of three different positions: an overview and two close-ups that alternate with each every other minute.
Watch the spoonbills on the website of the National Park Dunes of Texel.
