It's great to go into nature in your free time by going on a beautiful hiking or cycling tour. But it's of course extra nice if, during these trips, you come across wild animals you usually don't see that often. So in this blog post we will talk about 5 wild animals you can run into if you want to go wildlife spotting near Veessen.
Top 5 wildlife near Veessen
Veessen is part of the Veluwe, an area where you can discover lots of types of wildlife. You'll find the 5 animals most spotted near Veessen listed below.
Red deer
Red deer have large antlers in order to impress females during the rut (in September and October). These antlers are shed in early spring, and they regrow during summer. And they sure do grow! Red deer antlers can weigh between 10 to 15 kilograms!
Fallow deer
Fallow deer also have large antlers that are shed and regrown every year. Females, also called 'does', do not have antlers. If you come across a fallow deer on the Veluwe, their colour is usually near black. In deer parks you'll mostly see deer with a reddish-brown fur with pale white spots.
Boar
Boars are truly nocturnal, so if you want to spot them it's best to head out late in the evening. You'll recognize a boar by its large flat snout and dark brushy fur. Adult males additionally have two tusks, which are sharper than most kitchen knives.
Did you know that young boar piglets wear some sort of 'pyjamas'? They have a light brown fur with horizontal stripes, which disappear after 3 to 5 months.
Roe deer
The roe deer is the smallest type of deer in the Netherlands, and it has beautiful, large, dark eyes. Only males (roebucks) have antlers, which are shed every year in winter. After that, new antlers immediately start growing, which are fully grown by March or April. Roebucks usually live alone or in small groups, also called 'bevies'. In the winter they will usually join their female (doe) and her fawn. The doe is usually always accompanied by one or more of her fawn.
Badger
The badger is a small animal, which makes it difficult to spot. But that only makes the reward for spotting it greater! You can recognize it by its dark gray fur with characteristic black and white stripes on its head. The badger is a true omnivore and in the wild eats things ranging from plants and fruits to mice and earthworms.
Observation spots near Veessen
OK, you know now which animals you can come across during a hike or cycling tour. But if you want to increase your chances, you should visit one of the locations below.
De Dellen
De Dellen is a beautiful nature reserve that is known for its variety in forests, heaths, and avenues. A large amount of red deer and boars live in this area, which you can best see from the wildlife observation post in the resting area.
’t Eperholt
There is a watchtower on the Haelberg in nature reserve ’t Eperholt, from where you can spot wildlife. On the way there you'll also come across an wildlife observation point with a picknick table. So you'll have double the chance!
Big 5 Veluwe
Besides the animals mentioned above, when you head (further) onto the Veluwe you can also spot foxes and Highland cattle. Together with the red deer, the boar, and the roe deer they form the 'Veluwe Big 5'.
Hiked or cycled for hours, but did not discover any new animals? Keep watching this blog. In the next blog post we will share 5 tips to turn your wildlife spotting trip into a success!
