floodplain river Maas close to village Hedikhuizen Netherlands 1149 am 260303_0081

Atmosphere of the Meuse floodplains near Hedikhuizen on a windless spring day in March.

At the foot of the winter dyke, in the floodplain of the Meuse near Hedikhuizen in the Netherlands, about 50 metres from the water, on a windless day in March like today, you can hear the birds, the traffic on the other side of the river, and the cyclist on this side of the dyke, shipping and high altitude planes. You can hear the birds, the traffic on the other side of the river, and the cyclist on this side of the dyke.

Please note: To experience the sound as I dit life, you can adjust the volume so that the woodpecker hammering is just audible in the first minute.

About the picture
A wide, open riverside landscape stretches out under a clear, pale‑blue sky.
It is early afternoon in March, and the light is soft but bright.
In the foreground lies the flat floodplain, divided here and there by simple wooden fences. The grass is short and fresh.
A little farther away, a broad river Maas flows gently through the scene. Along its near bank stand patches of tall, dry reeds in light brown tones. On the water, a large cargo boat moves steadily from left to right, creating the only sense of motion in an otherwise quiet setting.
Beyond the river, the land rises slightly into the floodplain. A line of trees borders the water; some are bare, still waiting for their leaves after winter, while others show the first signs of budding.

Birds detected by Merlin Bird ID app ver 3.8.1.
Birds detected by BirdNET-Analyser (GUI ver. 2.4.0 Model ver. V2.4) sensitivity 1.15. I cannot guarantee results.
Great Tit #0:14 #0:18 #0:48 #1:03 #1:09 #1:15 #2:36
Carrion Crow #8:33 #8:39 #9:45
Eurasian Blue Tit #1:18 #1:27 #1:36 #1:42
Common Chaffinch #7:24 #7:42 #8:18
Common kingfisher #5:45 #9:06 #9:15
Egyptian Goose #0:12 #0:27 #1:18 #1:54 #3:03 #3:24 #4:06 #4:15 #4:21 #4:39 #4:51 #5:00 #5:27 #6:03 #6:21 #8:00 (The sound of a hand saw cutting into a small wooden plank)
Rook #5:40
House Sparrow #7:50 #8:22
Greylag Goose #2:27 #6:33 #7:28
Canada Goose #0:00 #0:17 #2:30 #7:09
Eurasian Jackdaw #6:30 #7:00
Eurasian Coot #0:44 #4:00 #6:32
Common Chiffchaff #3:02
Black-headed Gull #2:39
Great Spotted Woodpecker #0:00 #0:11 #0:22 #5:40 and more

Date/time: March 3 2026, 11:35 am

Weather in time: 11-13 ºc, Sunny, wind SW 4-10 km/h, 1026 hPa, humidity 59-77%, visibility 25 km

Location; river Maas/Meuse near village Hedikhuizen, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (Holland), Europe. Gps: 51.74025, 5.18378

Gear chain: Sennheiser mkh30/50 MS with pointed 10 degree, in Rycote cyclone small, windjammer > Tascam FR-AV2. Noise floor ~46.5 dB, Post editing: Decoded Mid-side to STEREO. EQ correction for the blimp and limiter on -3 dB when necessary.

Original 63 minute MS-track 48/32 bit-float available for motivated pro's and artists.

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About the floodplain

The floodplain near Hedikhuizen is an ecologically valuable area along the Meuse River, with a rich history and an important role in water management and nature development.

The floodplains are the low-lying lands between the river and the winter dyke. At Hedikhuizen, they form a characteristic part of the Meuse landscape, with a mix of nature, cultural history and hydrological functions.

The floodplain consists of grasslands, reed beds and marshy areas. This variety provides habitat for numerous species, including water birds, amphibians and insects.
Here you will find species such as the yellow wagtail, reed warbler, and sometimes even the beaver. The flora includes marsh plants such as cattail, meadowsweet, and marsh marigold.

Due to its relative tranquillity and limited development, the area is attractive to breeding birds and wintering waterfowl.

The dyke and floodplain are accessible via various footpaths. Cyclists can cycle for miles along the dykes, which are closed to motor vehicles.