A new core area for meadow birds has been opened in the Klaas Engelbrechtpolder in Midden-Delfland. Deputy Frederik Zevenbergen was present.
The second core area for meadow birds in Midden-Delfland has been opened. On Thursday, October 16, farmers together with board members of ANV Vockestaert and LTO Delflands Groen, Deputy Frederik Zevenbergen of South Holland, and councilor Michel Klijmij – Van der Laan of Midden-Delfland rolled out the runway for meadow birds.
Core Area for Meadow Birds
In 2019, the first core area for meadow birds was opened in the Commandeurspolder near Maasland. Now Midden-Delfland has a second area in the Klaas Engelbrechtpolder near Schipluiden. A core area for meadow birds is an agricultural area where meadow birds are prioritized, managed by farmers. This core area covers 19 hectares and is secured for the next 30 years. In recent months, wet areas and gentle banks have been created. Herbs have been sown that attract insects and provide a more open grass mat where chicks can walk through and find food. Special sand baths have also been created where the skylark can bathe.
Attractive Midden-Delfland
Deputy Frederik Zevenbergen of Transport is pleased with this project. “Along with the construction of the A4 between Delft and Schiedam, we have invested in Midden-Delfland with many parties over the past few years. We have made the area accessible and attractive, with mountain bike and skating routes, sustainable dairy farming, and new nature. This core area for meadow birds is the last project we have implemented in that context. Now it is the task of all parties to maintain these results and build on them. I have full confidence in that. I am also sure that next spring the black-tailed godwit, the lapwing, and the redshank will discover the runway, as Vockestaert and the farmers will manage the area.”
Sustainable Agricultural Meadow Bird Management
The Klaas Engelbrechtspolder has a long history of meadow bird management. The black-tailed godwit poles from the Netherlands Gruttoland project from 2004 are still in the polder. Over the past 5 years, a polder process has worked on sustainably securing agricultural meadow bird management. That has now succeeded.
Meadow Bird Pact and IODS
The project in the polder stems from the Meadow Bird Pact, a unique collaboration between Agricultural Nature Association Vockestaert, Naturally Delfland, Nature Monuments, and the Bird Working Group Midden-Delfland. The Meadow Bird Pact is supported by the municipality of Midden-Delfland, the province of South Holland, and the Water Authority of Delfland. In the Klaas Engelbrechtspolder, there has also been intensive collaboration with LTO Delflands Groen. With the opening, the Meadow Bird Pact completes its last project, which was made possible with funding from IODS and the province of South Holland.
