In the middle of the mouth of the Western Scheldt, where the tide constantly creates and erodes land, lie the Hooge Platen. This 1,800-hectare area of mudflats and salt marshes is one of the most dynamic natural environments in the Geopark.
At low tide, the sandbanks become a paradise for birds: Sandwich terns, little terns, common terns, plovers, avocets, and black-headed gulls forage or raise their young here. In summer, groups of seals rest here and nurse their pups on the sandbanks. At high tide, the mudflats disappear underwater and young fish come to feed in great numbers.
The Hooge Platen show how tides and ecology together create a landscape in constant transformation. As a natural nursery, resting place, and feeding ground, the sandbanks are invaluable for the region’s biodiversity. They illustrate how silence provides protection, and how sometimes you only need to watch in order to understand.