Put van Vlissegem

Put van Vlissegem is a substantial pond and nature area in the eastern part of West Flanders, right next to the village of Vlissegem, which belongs to the municipality of De Haan. It sits roughly three kilometres southeast of the coastal town of De Haan, tucked into a quiet, agricultural landscape well away from the busier seaside promenade.

How did this pond come to exist?

Put van Vlissegem is not a natural lake but the legacy of decades of mineral extraction. Until 1964, clay was dug here for use in local house construction and brickmaking. From the 1970s onward, the site switched to sand extraction to supply material for road building. Combined, these two extraction phases left behind a pond of unusual depth for the region — reaching as much as 20 metres in places, far deeper than typical man-made ponds in this part of Belgium.

The water in Put van Vlissegem is brackish, a result of the site's proximity to the coast and the way groundwater filters through the surrounding soil. This slight salinity, together with the considerable depth, means the pond rarely freezes over in winter — a feature that makes it an important refuge for waterfowl during the colder months.

Why bird-watchers make the trip

Today, Put van Vlissegem is primarily known as a destination for birdwatching. The site is managed by the regional nature and forest agency (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos), which keeps it protected and well maintained as a wildlife habitat.

Because the pond stays ice-free, it becomes a magnet in winter for ducks and other waterbirds seeking open water once smaller ponds nearby have frozen over. Wigeon and shoveler are among the species that gather here, making the winter months the prime season for observation.

Beyond its role as a winter refuge, Put van Vlissegem also functions as a breeding site. Little grebes — small, agile diving birds — nest here, alongside shelducks, easily recognised by their bold black, white and chestnut plumage. Tufted ducks, another diving species, are also regularly present, using the pond as a feeding ground.

What you'll find on site

Visitors have access to purpose-built facilities. A picnic area sits beside the pond, offering a convenient stop during a walk or cycling trip through the surrounding countryside. On the western shore, a small bird observation hut — about 5 by 2 metres — has been constructed, allowing visitors to watch the water's activity quietly and without disturbing the birds.

A dedicated walking path leads to the hut, starting from a reception point set up specifically for visitors to the site. This combination of a starting point, a marked path, and a discreet observation hut shows that Put van Vlissegem has been designed with nature education and calm, low-impact observation in mind, rather than for mass tourism.

Frequently asked questions

Is Put van Vlissegem a natural lake? No. The pond is the result of mineral extraction — first clay, dug until 1964, and later sand, extracted from the 1970s onward for road construction.

How deep is the pond? The extraction activity left the pond unusually deep for the area, reaching up to 20 metres in some places.

What birds can be seen here? In winter, wigeon and shoveler gather in search of ice-free water. During the breeding season, little grebes and shelducks nest at the site, and tufted ducks are also commonly seen on the water.

Are there facilities for visitors? Yes — a picnic area and a wooden bird observation hut on the western shore, reached via a path starting at the site's reception point.

Where exactly is Put van Vlissegem located? In the village of Vlissegem, part of the municipality of De Haan, about three kilometres southeast of De Haan's coastal centre.