Woumen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Birdwatchers, including Dirk Becuwe, 62 years old, and Herman Mile, 68 years old, search De Blankaart near Woumen, Diksmuide, for a rare eagle owl; the reserve hosts birds of prey, abundant wildlife, and attracts experts.
As VRT News reported, Birdwatchers have been searching for a rare eagle owl in the De Blankaart nature reserve near Woumen, close to Diksmuide, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium. The owl was recently seen perched on a gutter of the castle inside the reserve.
Its appearance drew attention from many visitors and nature enthusiasts. The large bird is rare in the area and is known for its wide wingspan and sharp gaze. The castle and the surrounding wetlands offer the owl a quiet place to rest.
What is happening with the rare eagle owl in Woumen’s De Blankaart?
The eagle owl has not been seen again in recent days. Birdwatchers continue to monitor the reserve in hopes of spotting it.
“Which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s already gone,”
assures birdwatcher Dirk Becuwe (62).
“I’m almost certain it’s still there, but there are a lot of trees, so it can hide well. Moreover, it’s a nocturnal animal; the best time to spot it is from 4 p.m. to midnight. I actually think we’ll hear it before we see it, because it has a distinctive call. So it’s a matter of being outdoors a lot, listening carefully, and a bit of luck.”
Among them is 68-year-old Herman Mile, who has spent hours trying to find the bird. Visitors watch the trees, castle walls, and wetland areas carefully. The De Blankaart reserve is known for its rich wildlife and scenic views. Even though the owl remains unseen, it has attracted attention from the local community and birdwatching enthusiasts.
“It’s a magnificent animal,”
Herman Mile says.
“The eagle owl is the largest owl in Europe and one of the largest in the world. It can grow up to 70 centimetres, and its ear tufts are also striking. They stand up when it’s disturbed or gets excited. When it sat on the castle’s gutter, we were able to admire it in all its splendour. That spot was its daytime resting place for a while. Now it’s nowhere to be found. I suspect it’s somewhere around.”
Officials mentioned that spotting an eagle owl in West Flanders is very rare. Seeing one build a nest in the region is even more unusual. The De Blankaart nature reserve has hosted other birds of prey before. A pair of European sea eagles once built a nest there.
“Although we’ve noticed the bird is moving further and further away from the Ardennes towards the coast,”
Dirk says.
“It’s probably a young bird. If it finds a mate here, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that they might build a nest here. That would be fantastic.”
Guido Vandenbroucke, curator of De Blankaart, said birds of prey thrive in the reserve because of the large food supply. The wetlands and surrounding areas provide fish, small mammals, and waterfowl for the predators. This abundance makes the reserve a suitable place for both resident and visiting birds of prey.
“There are lots of geese, ducks, and coots here. But because of the many hectares of green manure, there are large numbers of small birds and mice.”
Guido Vandenbroucke said.
De Blankaart is a large nature reserve in West Flanders, covering parts of Diksmuide and Houthulst. The area has been protected since 1959 and is known for its rich birdlife. In 1988, it became part of the Natura 2000 network. In 1992, it was recognised internationally as a Ramsar wetland. A major restoration project started in 2006 to improve the reed moor habitat and water levels. In September 2019, a new pump and water control system was installed to better manage the area.
