Nieuwe Kooi - Nature

The Nieuwe Kooi is a hidden freshwater pond in the middle of the forest on Vlieland. It was dug at the end of the 19th century as the island's second duck decoy, but as far as is known it was never used to catch ducks.

What can you expect at the Nieuwe Kooi?

• A decoy that never caught: On 22 December 1892, two men from Terschelling, contractor Maarten Daalder and skipper Arjen Kooijman, asked the King for permission to build a second duck decoy on Vlieland. Permission followed on 17 March 1894, on the same terms as for the Oude Kooi.
• Characteristic shape: The decoy has four catching pipes and covers about 3.7 hectares. It lies in a dune hollow east of the Pad van Twintig.
• Forest around the decoy: After its construction, Staatsbosbeheer took over the land and planted forest around the decoy. That forest has since grown into one of the larger forests on the island.
• Nature decoy: Today the Nieuwe Kooi is a peaceful nature decoy: a freshwater area in mixed forest, where you can experience the silence and the birdlife up close.

Practical information

• Walking: The waymarked walking route Lange Paal, Nieuwe Kooi by Staatsbosbeheer takes you past the decoy and through the forest area Lange Paal.
• Excursion: Nature organisation De Lepelaar runs guided excursions of about one and a half hours to the Nieuwe Kooi. The meeting point is the bus stop on the south side of the Postweg, at the Pad van Twintig. You can book through the VVV.

Anyone who loves silence, forest and water will find one of the island's most hidden spots at the Nieuwe Kooi. A lovely introduction to the nature and history of Vlieland.

Furthermore Nieuwe Kooi is near the following sights: Pad van Twintig (±500 m), Forest Area Lange Paal (±1,1 km), Oude Kooi (±1,2 km), Kikkerbult / Kooispleklid (±1,9 km) & Dodemansbol (±2,1 km).

For information

Pad van Twintig, Vlieland