Duivenbos

Duivenbos ("Pigeon Wood") is a small but remarkably wild nature reserve tucked away on the border between Sint-Lievens-Esse and Sint-Antelinks, hidden inside one of the most scenic valleys of the Herzele municipality in East Flanders, Belgium. The reserve covers roughly 11 hectares spread across a narrow, kettle-shaped valley where the Ransbeek stream has its source.

What makes this spot special?

Duivenbos sits at a point where groundwater seeps directly out of the slopes, creating what ecologists call a seepage zone. These springs shape the entire character of the forest: the dominant habitat is a humid marsh forest (alder carr), where water literally bubbles up through the soil surface. Alongside these wet patches, the reserve also holds patches of rough, nutrient-poor grassland and a dense herb layer, together forming a mosaic of habitats that is unusually rich for such a small area.

It's worth knowing that the current tree cover is not primeval forest — the woodland was completely replanted during the 19th century. Despite that, the specific hydrological conditions have allowed a rich, semi-natural mix of flora and fauna to develop, typical of steep valley slopes fed by groundwater seepage.

Which animals live here?

Duivenbos shelters species tied to both woodland and water. Among birds of prey, barn owls and kestrels are regularly seen here, while bats hunt over the valley at dusk. The damp corners of the forest are home to great crested newts — a species protected across Europe — as well as the increasingly rare hazel dormouse. Foxes also find quiet refuge here, away from built-up areas.

A small world of its own is the old well found within the reserve. It is inhabited by toads, frogs, pond snails, dragonflies, and water bugs such as water boatmen — a tiny body of water that has effectively become its own self-contained ecosystem at the heart of the forest.

Who takes care of the area?

Since 1994, the conservation organisation Natuurpunt has been gradually purchasing plots throughout the valley and managing them as a nature reserve. This has protected Duivenbos and the surrounding land from development and intensive agriculture, allowing natural processes — such as groundwater seepage and the growth of marsh forest — to continue largely undisturbed.

How can you visit Duivenbos?

The reserve isn't a major tourist attraction with visitor infrastructure; it's a quiet corner for walkers and nature lovers. Loop 2 of the so-called Sint-Lievens walking route runs through the site, starting nearby in Sint-Antelinks and cutting straight through Duivenbos. This lets visitors experience the valley without leaving the marked path — important here, since the ground is damp, occasionally boggy, and sensitive to trampling.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Duivenbos located? On the border between Sint-Lievens-Esse and Sint-Antelinks, within the municipality of Herzele, in the East Flanders province of Belgium.

Can visitors walk freely through the area? It's best to stick to the marked trail (Loop 2 of the Sint-Lievens walking route) — the terrain is wet and the reserve is ecologically sensitive.

Which protected species can be found here? Among others, the great crested newt and the hazel dormouse, alongside birds of prey like the barn owl and kestrel, and several bat species.

Is the forest natural? Not entirely — the current trees were replanted in the 19th century, though the underlying hydrology (springs and seepage) is largely natural.

Who manages the reserve? The conservation organisation Natuurpunt, which has been acquiring parcels in the valley since 1994.