Data Zone
Country/territory: Netherlands
IBA criteria met: B1i, B3, C3, C6 (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 350 ha
Site description (2000 baseline)
A shallow bay between the old coast (Voornes Duin, site 022) and the harbour extension of Rotterdam (Maasvlakte), bordered by the Voordelta (020) on the seaward side. It is part of the former mouth of the River Maas, which was closed off in 1966.
Key biodiversity
A recently built small islet holds breeding terns Sterna, Recurvirostra avosetta and Charadrius alexandrinus. The mudflats are attractive to waders on passage.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Westplaat. Downloaded from
http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/westplaat-iba-netherlands on 05/10/2023.
