Not far from the wind park along the Afsluitdijk, a designated nature area called ‘het Kornwerderzand’ has been created. Het Kornwerderzand consists of an island and area of shallow water that is sheltered from the wind and water currents. This natural space serves as a foraging and resting spot for birds and also harbours an artificial reef for fish and shellfish.

We began our monitoring programme immediately after the construction of the wind park and the designated nature area in 2021: on the land, at sea and in the sky (performing bird counts from an aircraft). Together with ecological research consultancy Altenburg & Wymenga, from Friesland, we conducted research on changes in the state of bird, bat, water plant and shellfish populations on the island. Under this monitoring programme, we will follow the effects of the wind park on birds and bats, along with the development of the designated nature area, for five years.

Our monitoring is particularly focused on bird species that are protected on the IJsselmeer under the Natura 2000 directive, such as grebes, scaups and black terns, but also the underwater prey these birds rely on. We make use of the most modern technology to collect data, such as underwater sampling. Above water, we follow the flight movements of birds and bats with a 3D bird radar on the Breezanddijk and bat detectors in the wind turbines themselves.