On Sunday morning, 2 August, IVN nature guides Mark & Donge are organising a walk in collaboration with the Lage Vuchtpolder Working Group.

Anyone enjoying the meadow pipits, black-tailed godwits and great burnet in the Lage Vuchtpolder today would find it hard to imagine that this area was once a theatre of war. Where the swan flower now blooms, Spanish soldiers once took up their positions. During the siege of Breda in 1624/1625, Spinola established his innermost line of defence here along the Zwarte Dijk. This was intended to prevent the people of Breda from leaving the city to stock up on food. The Spinolaschans formed part of the outer line intended to hold back the States’ forces should they attempt to liberate Breda. The polder itself was flooded to prevent any passage through it.

The Hoge and Lage Vuchtpolder have traditionally been a wet, marshy area. Peat has been cut here, or ‘gemoerd’, since 1314. The name ‘Moerdijkje’ and the various peat canals serve as a reminder of this period. Today, the Lage Vuchtpolder is one of Brabant’s most valuable wetland nature reserves. A great deal of work has already been done here to ensure clean water, the development of new natural habitats and an area that is attractive to meadow birds.

This walk will focus on the history of Breda, but of course also on the flora and fauna of this fascinating area. The distance is a little longer than on our usual walks, so the walk will take a bit longer. Please make sure you bring something to drink.

Join us on a walk and find out how the Strikberg got its name.

Registration is possible until the day of the walk. After registration, you will receive information about the departure point.

The walk starts at 8.00 am and lasts until around 12.00 pm.

Further information and the registration form can be found on the IVN Mark & Donge website under ‘Activities’