View of the Oostendse Kreken

Nice panorama on the Oostendse Creeks along the Groene 62. Nice stop: bird watching, bench, information board.

The historic polders of Ostend were created in the sixteenth century, on the eve of the Siege of Ostend (1601–1604). The city was in the hands of the Beggars and was besieged by the Spaniards. The Beggars made a breach in the dunes (this is now the harbor channel) and the sea invaded the land. A large flood area arose, intersected with narrow creeks. Ostend had thus become an island and an almost impregnable fortress. The Beggars resisted the Spanish army for more than three years.The area of the Zoutekreek and the Sluiskreek is an important breeding ground for many birds: bluethroat, reed bunting, reed warbler, warbler, lapwing, black-tailed godwit, stonechat, etc. The surrounding polder complex contains 'jungle forests at knee height' with glass land that, in addition to a unique fauna and flora also has an ancient relief structure.Source: oostende.be/Krekengebied