Blog #3: The Koornmolengat
Just two weeks ago I was writing this blog outside in the sun. Now, we’re writing this blog inside whilst watching the rain pour down outside. Oh well, no problem. We’re supposed to get good weather next week and there’s still a lot of talk about climate change, which comes down to getting longer summer like we had last yar. Fine by us, it’s a good prospect. And especially good for Leisure Park De Koornmolen.
We’ve partnered up with ‘Ook dit is de Rotte’; a great initiative in our opinion. We’ll be working together with 40 or 50 other entrepreneurs to put the Rotte on the map. It’s a beautiful and diverse area. We’re situated in the ‘Eendragtspolder/Zevenhuizer Zoom’ area. You can find a lot of pictures that show the true beauty of this area.
Make sure to follow ‘Ook dit is de Rotte’. They’ve made a magnificent video about cormorants in the Koornmolengat, which is a nature reserve in recreation area the Rottemeren. Then we have the Koornmolengat which we’ve mentioned earlier on. Did you know that the Koornmolengat is right behind the bungalow park? Just a short walk over the bridge and you’re there. The nature reserve is closed to the public, but you can visit it with a guide. But just walking alongside the area is amazing and peaceful.
Marsh peat
The Koornmolengat is the last piece of marsh peat in between the Tweemanspolder and the Rottemeren. It’s never been drained nor has peat been harvested here. The area has its own water level which is already pretty special (NAP -1,90m). This piece of land has a lot of historical value, especially for proud residents of Zevenhuizen, because the first traces of these residents can be found here. Once there were seven houses (if you can even call them houses since they were made of wood and reed) and a flower mill situated here. It’s where Zevenhuizen, the Koornmolengat and Leisure Park De Koornmolen owe their names to. We feel so special that we get to call this beautiful piece of history and nature our home.
Nature
I think we’ve made clear by now that the Koornmolengat is an authentic part of Dutch nature. In fact, I’m assuming that you’re ready to book a spot at De Koornmolen amidst beautiful nature right after reading this blog 😉. A lot of waterfowls and herons have since taken their place in the area, but there’s also a huge colony of cormorants that comes to breed here every year. Back in the nineties, cormorants were hardly sighted in this area and now there are at least 100 nesting pairs. Besides the immense diversity in bird species, the flora is also worth a visit. Various types of moss, more than 50 types of mushrooms and more and more thriving herbs have planted themselves in this area. Alder, ash and willows in between the birch and mountain ash make the area even more enjoyable. The Koornmolengat is a paradise for insects, mice and weasels. You might even spot a couple of young foxes in the Spring.
Nature and Bird Watch Rotta
Rotta provides nature management in this unique area of the Rottemeren. They also organize excursions through the area, which we can recommend. Every Friday night between June 21st and August 30th, they host a two-hour long excursion. It starts at 19:00 pm at the bicycle parking area next to De Roerdomp and the Jachthaven.