Lepelaarsgat
From about 1960 the so called Spoonbill Pass got more and more important for spoonbills. The tidal rhythm offered shelter and food. Nowadays the tidal rhythm has disappeared and changed into a day (resting) and night (feeding) rhythm. The thought of establishing and breeding of the spoonbills, after the damming and closure of the Haringvliet in 1970, did not come true. The main causes are probably the lack of nesting spots and lack of small fry and little fishes like sticklebacks in and around the Biesbosch.
However the Biesbosch became an important stopover area for the spoonbills on their way to winter destinations in Africa, or other breeding areas in the Netherlands like the Oostvaardersplassen (East-Sailors-Lakes) and the Wadden Islands. Mainly during the months of July and September the number of spoonbills can exceed 100 birds. Now, in 2000, it seems that the Spoonbill Pass is loosing its importance to the spoonbills. The development of new nature protection schemes in the neighbouring areas creates more resting and feeding spots for them. With an increasing frequency spoonbills are spotted in the newly developed nature areas bordering the Biesbosch.
However the Biesbosch became an important stopover area for the spoonbills on their way to winter destinations in Africa, or other breeding areas in the Netherlands like the Oostvaardersplassen (East-Sailors-Lakes) and the Wadden Islands. Mainly during the months of July and September the number of spoonbills can exceed 100 birds. Now, in 2000, it seems that the Spoonbill Pass is loosing its importance to the spoonbills. The development of new nature protection schemes in the neighbouring areas creates more resting and feeding spots for them. With an increasing frequency spoonbills are spotted in the newly developed nature areas bordering the Biesbosch.