Oude Schans

because buzzards are known to catch not only mice, but occasionally also rabbit

in spring Sand martins arrive and inspect the nesting facilities

in spring sheep and cow meet and greet

and sometimes the Maas takes complete possession of the uiterwaard, bringing disaster to the Common Voles

a young fox is hunting mice. Not easy in the high grasses

sheep are ideal to manage and fertilize the slopes of the dike

the free eroding river banks that make Oude Schans famous. Cows enjoy to accelerate the eroding process

The Oude Schans is located directly west of the Empelse Waard, separated by a shallow inflow channel with stepping stones. Since 2004, the areas are merged into one nature reserve that is managed by Natuurmonumenten.
The name Schans refers to a long gone military defensive wall.

After the canalization of the Maas in 1870, the clay layer was excavated and later the land was used for intensive grazing. As a result, the Maas overflows the uiterwaard (flood plains) here several times per year.

The Oude Schans has one of the most beautiful freely eroding banks of the Maas and every year Sand martins come to nest in the steep clay walls.

Cattle provide extensive grazing of the Oude Schans, and in the warm summer months they must share the beaches with human bathers and sun lovers.

The area sports thickets of nettles and thistles, where scores of rabbits can hide from stray dogs. Kestrel, blue heron, stork and occasionally fox and buzzard come here to snack on abundant Common Vole.

I often visit Oude Schans, the photos are from 2021 onwards.

these stepping stones separate Oude Schans from Empelse Waard. Sometimes the Maas waterlevel is low

but sometimes waterlevels are much higher

cattle enjoy the beach and ignore the officers

a rabbit carefully checks the environment

warmly dressed, you can enjoy the magic winter scenery

in summer cattle and people flock to the beaches