In the vicinity of Vrouwenpolder lies a splendid dune area. There is only one way in and you must know where to find it. That can do you no harm, because the wild nature of Oranjezon is surprisingly exciting.
Secretly landscape ranger Gerard Wooten does not find it so bad that the Oranjezon is not so well known, the herd of fallow deer that live there agree, as do the countless delicate plants that grow in the dunes. The nature must be left undisturbed. But it does not mean you cannot visit, just be aware!
There are three walking routes in the Oranjezon. They start at the pumping station for the former water wing area. There is an exhibition room where you can obtain information about the surrounding area. For the princely price of €1, you can buy a ticket from a machine, which gives you admission to 400 hectares of wild nature.
Senses
Today the ranger takes us through his working area, normally visitors are not allowed out of the fenced paths. But the ranger has certain privileges and we can profit from them. Also his sharply developed senses are in our favour, Have we eyes at the back of our heads? We almost walked past a small herd of fallow deer just 30 metres away in the scrubland staring at us. ”those are fallow deer; they sum up the situation first before they run, walk and talk quietly that works best in this situation.”We follow Gerard’s Instructions and it works, the deer calm down and are restful, In Oranjezon there are about 100 fallow deer so they are easy to spot. Only in the spring when the hinds have their calves do they hide in the scrub and bushes. We are lucky we come across a herd.
Now the views from the top of the dunes give you encouragement for a brisk walk.” When I walk here at sunset, with the birds singing and the air filled with the scent of honeysuckle, I feel like the worlds richest man” says Gerard. It is now a clear day and the nature is magical, the sound of a woodpecker tapping on a tree, the sound of the cuckoo and concert of song birds fill the air. Not a soul to be seen all the time we walk. Where else in the Netherlands is so perfect.
Shetland pony’s
“Can you smell that”? Asks Gerard, the “horses have been here,” the fresh hoof prints in the sand prove he is right. We climb the dike and discover a herd of black Shetland pony’s. They look curiously at us as we get closer, and let us stroke them. ”Once a year they are rounded up “says Gerard “they are driven into a corral and checked over, they all belong to the state” The pony’s do an important job, without them every thing would be over grown. In Oranjezon there is such diversity a combination of scrubland, dunes and woods.
Gerard “If we do nothing then everything would return to woods “thanks to the pony’s rare wild plants such the common centaury would be lost in the Zeeuwse dunes.” We hope no one will be naughty enough to pull one up.
In the season excursions are organised every week. Excursion data, times and more information can be found on the website: wwwhetzeeuwselandschap.nl
