heath landscape NL 210711_0301.ogg

Heath landscape summer evening in National Park Loonse and Drunense Duinen. Calm ambiance.

What is immediately noticeable in the sound recording is the constant sound of the European Field Cricket. Moments later, the Common Redstart comes with its constant short call like an adolescent boy whistles at a girl to get her attention. Birds detected with certainty in this 60 minute recording with the BirdNet App: Tree pipit, European Stonechat, Eurasian Linnet and Eurasian Stonechat.

Far away on the heath are people. They walk their dogs and another group takes wedding or family photos. Kids play in the sanddunes.
Sometimes you also hear a voice through a sound system. Probably from camping site "Het Genieten” (The Enjoyment).
What is very special is that you occasionally hear the steam whistle of the steam train of theme park "De Efteling". This park is located 2.5 km west from here.
Forgive me for the occasional high-flying jet plane passing by.

If you want to enjoy like I did, turn down the volume.

More here today / More in this area of dunes and forest
About the area, national park Loonse en Drunense Duinen

(Text by Irma de Potter,Ranger of this area) Dutch website: https://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/natuurgebieden/nationaal-park-loonse-en-drunense-duinen

In the Loonse en Drunense Duinen you will find forest, heathland and especially a lot of sand. It is one of the largest shifting sand areas in Western Europe. The wind can blow undisturbed in many places, resulting in an ever-changing landscape. By purchasing it in 1921, it has been protected for 100 years and we can still enjoy this Brabant Sahara today.

You can roam freely on the sand plain. So there is plenty of room to explore extensively. Marvel at the submerged trees, enjoy the chirping field crickets and quench your thirst at one of the many cafes or restaurants on the edge of this nature reserve. Walking, cycling or on horseback: it's all possible here. With the wind in your hair and the sand in your shoes. You may even come across the sheep herd. The sheep keep the heath short and eat away saplings. This is how they keep the area open.

The Loonse en Drunense Duinen still has 270 hectares of shifting sand. That sand creates rather extreme conditions: the soil is dry and nutrient-poor. The difference in temperature between day and night can be as much as 50 degrees Celsius. This ensures a unique flora and fauna. The animals and plants have adapted or feel at home in drought, aridity and temperature fluctuations. Sand sedge and various lichens, for example. And the viviparous lizard, sandpit beetles and sand bees. All species that love sand.

In the last Ice Age, the polar winds blew sand from the north to Brabant, where it remained in thick packages. For a long time this sandy plain was covered with primeval forests. Until the fourteenth century the trees were felled by people. They used the wood as fuel. The bare plain was filled with heather, where the farmers grazed their cattle. This intensive grazing and the sod cutting of the soil depleted the soil. This gave the sand free play. For a long time, the sand was a major problem for the residents. Villages and fields threatened to disappear under it. Trees were planted to stop the advancing sand. You can still see the traces of this today: find the submerged trees that only peak above the sand hills with their crowns.

Date/time: July 11th 2021, 8:11PM

Weather: 21c, some clouds, wind SSW 1bft with gusts to 8 km/h, 1015 hPa, humidity 63%.

Location; heath landscape, National Park Loonse en Drunense Duinen, between Waalwijk and Loon op Zand, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (Holland), Europe. GPS 51.65021 5.08667

Gear chain: Sennheiser mkh30/50 MS, in Rycote cyclone small > Sound Devices 302 >Tascam dr-100 Mk2. Decoded Mid-side to STEREO. EQ 160 Hz – 12 db /octave low-cut. LMR -6, 0, -6 dB.

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