An area of shallow waters, wet meadows and (landward of the dyke) improved grassland along the Frisian west coast. It is a subsite of Lake IJsselmeer (034), and lies adjacent to the Makkumer- and Kooiwaard (035) in the north. This site, together with site 035, formed part of a single, larger site (former site NL016) in the previous pan-European IBA inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989).
Key biodiversity
Non-breeding numbers are based on aerial counts which tend to underestimate species with a scattered occurrence. The site is an important roost for geese and waders, but actual roosting numbers are poorly reflected by counts. The average seasonal peak number of waterbirds during 1992-1996 exceeded 20,000.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main problems are water management (the water-level is deliberately kept high during summer), agricultural intensification, and commercial reed-harvesting (`Other' threat, above). The foreshore is legally protected under the Nature Conservation Act.
Protected areas
National Partial International Partial550 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Friese IJsselmeerkust I, 4,800 ha). 2 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Friese IJsselmeerkust II, 120 ha). 550 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Friese IJsselmeerkust, 5,130 ha).
