Ambiance of the river The Westerschelde that runs from the North Sea coast via Antwerp in Belgium to France. Recorded at the sea dike on border of township Krabbendijke and Rilland in Zeeland in the The Netherlands.
Small waves friendly lapping against the stone sea dike/breakwater. Black-Headed Gulls and White Wagtail around. Far the hum of shipping.
Breakwaters
On behalf of the national government, the Province of Zeeland is creating
600 hectares of new tidal nature area (with high and low tides) along the
banks of the Westerschelde. This is being done by extending dykes and
giving the river more room by building breakwaters. The water in the
Westerschelde flows fast. Breakwaters reduce the water speed so that sand
and silt can sink and raise the level of the bed. The sediment is absolutely crawling with animal life: an absolute banquet for many water birds and waders. At the same time, the sediment protects the many archaeological treasures that can be found in front of the sea dyke, such as the drowned villages.
Salt marshes here
Salt marshes are higher lying than mudflats. They remain dry at high tide,
so plants can grow there. The salt marshes are only covered by a layer of
salty water after a storm or a very high tide. The silt and sand are trapped
between the plants so that the salt marsh builds up further. Birds that
like the reeds nest here, such as the sedge warbler, water rail and marsh
harrier. The large numbers of bearded reedlings here are exceptional.
These beautifully shaped members of the tit family clamber up and down
between the reeds like genuine circus acrobats, searching for small
spiders, mosquitoes and other insects. If you think you might have seen
one, it was probably the long tail poking up above the reeds.
Mud flats
Mudflats are areas that are covered at high tide and exposed when the
water is low. They may look like a muddy mess, but they are in fact well-
filled banqueting tables for many wading birds. At low tide, they use their
unusually shaped beaks to winkle shellfish, crabs and worms out of the
ground. Peaceful conditions are very important for that.
Seals
This is one of the few places in the Westerschelde (Western Scheldt) where you may be lucky enough to see seals lying on the sandy areas. They come here to rest and sunbathe when these areas are exposed at low tide. Later in the spring, it is also the place where the
pups are born and nursed. (Text from information panel at this location). Come over and enjoy).
More tracks today / More tracks trough the year here
Date/time: September 5th 2022, 10:44 – 12:13. High Tide 10:44AM
Weather: 24 - 27c, clouds 89 - 91%, wind S 2 - 2 bft with gusts to 17 – 20 km/h, 1019 - 1018 hPa, humidity 49 – 42%.
Location; Sea dike of River The Schelde (Scheldt), (‘belevingspunt Rilland’, near platen ore plaat van Valkenisse) Rilland, Zeeland, Netherlands (Holland), Europe. GPS 51.40050 4.12307
Gear chain: Sennheiser mkh30/50 MS, in Rycote cyclone small, windjammer > Sound Devices 302 >Tascam dr-100 Mk2. Decoded Mid-side to STEREO. 4 dB roll-off and Blimp correction in audacity.
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Type
Wave (.wav)
Duration
2:51.685
File size
47.2 MB
Sample rate
48000.0 Hz
Bit depth
24 bit
Channels
Stereo
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