Pages - Social activities

Social activities

Welcome to Vlieland! To experience the beauty and purity of the island and the Wadden Sea to its fullest you are welcome to join one of the activities listed below. Most activities will take place on Wednesday afternoon September 15, 2010*. You can register for the activities of your preference on the conference registration form.

*Sailing is also possible on Monday September 13 and the weekend after the conference September 17-19, 2010.

Date	Activity	Duration
Monday 13 sept	Sailing on a traditional clipper from Harlingen to Vlieland	Afternoon
	'Icebreaker'	Evening
Tuesday Sept 14	BBQ and auction	Evening
Wednesday Sept 15	* Bird watching: excursion to wetlands and dunes * Excursion by truck to sandbanks "Vliehors express" * Horseback riding through the dunes * Horse cart riding on the island * Sailing over the Wadden Sea on a traditional clipper	Afternoon
	Film documentary "Rotvos/Bloody fox"	18.00 to 19.30 h
Thursday Sept 16	Farewell banquet	Evening
Friday Sept 17 until Sunday Sept 19	Sailing for 3 days over the Wadden Sea on a traditional clipper	Weekend

Bird watching: excursion to wetlands and dunes

The Kroon’s polder is a protected wetland area of 165 ha on the western tip of Vlieland. Partly in contact with the sea, it creates a unique mixture of salt and fresh water which attracts numerous bird species and a high variety of plants. The marsh area is the breeding site of Common Eiders, Eurasian Spoonbills and Great Cormorants (among other species) and a major foraging site for Common Redshanks, Oystercatchers and Common Shelducks. A professional guide will lead a 2 hour walk through the wetland, including paths that are normally off-limits.

Another guide will lead a 2 hour walk through a varied dune landscape in the center of the island. Since the 70-ies of last century there has been a decline of biodiversity (especially plants and birds of open nutrient-poor dunes) caused by increasing atmospheric deposition. Restoration management in part of the area led to clear improvements. The effects of about 15 years of grazing by Highland cattle and Soay sheep are obvious and can be compared with non-grazed areas. Birds like Marsh Harriers, Hen Harriers, Curlews, Northern Wheatears, etc. may be seen. The walk will lead through dry dunes interchanged with some mud flats.

Special clothing/equipment recommended: waterproof shoes/boots, binoculars.
Sorry, there are no places left for bird watching, it is fully booked. It is not possible to make extra groups.

-Costs: 5 euro
-Group size: 2 groups of 20 persons
-Date: Wednesday September 15. Meet in front of Hotel Seeduyn. Time will folllow.

Bird watching

Vlieland

Wildlife spotting

Excursion by truck to sandbanks “Vliehors express”

The Vliehors is an extensive and open sandy area of 20 square kilometers on the west side of Vlieland. An open truck will bring us to the western edge of the Vliehors where an old rescue hut is located. The hut was used to save lost, nearly-drowned people, but is currently in use to show washed-up objects like letters in a bottle and more. The sandbanks are the resting area of harbour seals. Recommended clothing/equipment: windproof clothing, binoculars.
-Costs: 10 euro
-Group size: 1 group of 55 persons
-Date: Wednesday September 15. Start at 15:00 hr on the beach, at the back of the hotel Seeduyn.

Vliehors Express

Horseback riding through the dunes

Experience the great wide open spaces of Vlieland during a 1 hour horseback ride across the dunes and along the wide beach. Horses are available for less or more experienced people. Islandic horses are available for persons <90 kg. Recommended clothing/equipment: comfortable pants, windproof clothing.
-Costs: 20 euro
-Group size: 3 groups of 8-10 persons
-Date: Wednesday September 15. Start in front of Hotel Seeduyn. Time will follow.

Horse cart riding on the island

-During a 1.5 hour tour on a horse cart in the centre of Vlieland, an islander will give an introduction on the island. No recommended clothing/equipment.
-Costs: 8 euro
-Group size: 1 group of 18 persons
-Date: Wednesday September 15. Start in front of Hotel Seeduyn. Time will follow.

Horseriding on the beach

Manege de Seeruyter

Horseriding on the beach

Film documentary "Rotvos/Bloody fox"

Synopsis

When Holland banned fox hunting entirely in 2002, this canine seized its chance. They used to be curbed by hunters, but now appear in more and more places they were never seen before. This leads to consternation among farmers and hunters, but also among many conservationists. They are enthusiastic about the success of the fox but also see how this carnivore threatens other protected species such as waders. In the spring of 2006, the Dutch government gave way to pressure from the hunters’ lobby: the hunting season for foxes has been opened again.

This film examines the battle between man and fox. May this animal – a native of the low countries – decide whether it can maintain itself here or do others decide its fate from the drawing board?

Bloody Fox has won a ‘ Gouden Kalf’ for best long documentary on the Dutch Film Festival.

Language: Dutch, English
Subtitles: English
Length: 78 minutes
Director: Tijs Tinbergen

Location: Podium Vlieland, Dorpsstraat 84

Duration: 18.00-19.30 h

Sailing over the Wadden Sea on a traditional clipper

The Wadden Sea is famous for its rich flora and fauna and it is a major stopover location for migrating waterbirds. The area can be explored best by the traditional flat bottom sailboats, like the clipper. Clippers are fast sailing ships that were used to transport food in the 19th and early 20th centuries. On Wednesday September 15 a clipper will sail on the Wadden Sea. The day ends with dinner on board. Recommended clothing/equipment: wind/waterproof clothing, binoculars.

Before the start of the conference on Monday September 13, you can go by clipper from the mainland (Harlingen) to the island (Vlieland) instead of taking the ferry. Depending on the wind direction the trip takes approximately 3-6 hours. Snacks and soup will be served on board.

After the conference, a clipper will travel for the weekend on the Wadden Sea. The sailing trip will start at Vlieland on Friday morning September 17 and end on Sunday afternoon September 19. If feasible, it is planned to spend Saturday night stranded on a sandbank in the middle of the Wadden Sea. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on board.

During the conference (Monday Sep 13 until Friday Sep 17), sleeping accommodation is available on board up to 26 persons. The clipper is a boat with four 2 person cabins, one 4 person cabin, one 6 person cabin and one 8 person cabin. The shower and toilets are shared. Sheets and pillows are available but please bring your own sleeping bag or cover. You can register for sleeping on the clipper on the conference registration form.

-Costs:

Monday Sep 13: 40 euro

Wednesday Sep 15: 40 euro

weekend: 150 euro

Sleeping on boat 80 euro for 4 nights.

On all days, food is included.

-Group size: Monday 35 persons, Wednesday 35 persons and in the weekend 26 persons.
-Date: Monday September 13, in the harbour of Harlingen. Time will follow.
Wednesday September 15, in front of the Hotel Seeduyn. Time will follow.
Friday September 17, in front of the Hotel Seeduyn. Time will follow.

Sailing with clipper