The site comprises a saltmarsh (De Schorren), adjacent intertidal mudflats (contiguous to site 001), cord-grass Spartina swards, and inland farmland managed for Branta bernicla (Zeeburg) on the north-eastern side of Texel, the Wadden Sea island. The saltmarsh is protected against erosion by 30 longitudinal levees. This site, together with site 003, formed part of a single, larger site (former site NL002) in the previous international IBA inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989).
Key biodiversity
De Schorren is an important high-water roost for waders and ducks feeding in the Wadden Sea. The saltmarsh holds important breeding colonies of Platalea leucorodia, Sterna paradisaea and S. sandvicensis (until 1992). In spring Branta bernicla feeding inland are concentrated at Zeeburg to alleviate agricultural damage elsewhere on the island. Average seasonal peak number of waterbirds during 1992-1996 was over 20,000.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are shellfish fisheries (see site 001) and disturbance of birds on the mudflats by anglers, worm-diggers, military training flights to and from the Vliehors (004), and by small aircraft. The saltmarsh and mudflats are included in the SPA- and Ramsar-designated Wadden Sea. The saltmarsh and the inland farmland are managed as Nature Reserves and closed to the public, although the area can be overlooked from the dyke. Although the mudflats are legally protected as a Natural Monument they are not closed to shellfish fisheries and only partly closed to recreational activities.
Protected areas
National Partial International Partial970 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Schorren van de Eendracht, 970 ha). 286 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Waddenzee I, 125,000 ha). 1,256 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (De Schorren, 1,256 ha). 111 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Zeeburg, 111 ha). 1,256 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Waddenzee, `250,000 ha' [official, incorrect figure]). 1,256 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Waddenzee, `250,000 ha' [official, incorrect figure]).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Texel: Schorren and Zeeburg. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 20/03/2023.
