page_title: Dunes of Texel National Park
section_title: De Slufter
hierarchical_section_title: Dunes of Texel National Park / Areas / De Slufter
caption_attribution_description: English: Aerial view of De Slufter on Texel island in The Netherlands.
context_page_description: Dunes of Texel National Park is a national park located on the North-Holland island of Texel in the Netherlands. All dune systems on the western side of the island and the large coastal plains on both the northern and southern points of the island are part of the park. The park covers approximately 43 km² and attained national park status in 2002. The visitor center is located in the natural history museum Ecomare.
  In 1927 botanist Jac. P. Thijsse made an illustrated book about the flora and fauna on the island, and pointed out the major environmental values of the island. This book was one of a series, the book was sold very cheaply, and the pictures for the book came free with each Verkade chocolate bar.
  There are many walking trails which follow either red, yellow, blue or green signs
  The green routes are not accessible during the bird breeding season. Many bicycle trails cross the park as well.
context_section_description: The main part of the Slufter is a wide dune valley which has an open connection to the North Sea through a hole in the outer dunes De Slufter. At high tide seawater streams into the Slufter though creeks and at low tide it streams out again. The large Sluftercreek at the beach is where the water comes through most the time. Over time the creek has moved in a northern direction. Because this creek was heavily damaging the dunes on the northern side in May 2004, intervention was needed. A new creek was constructed on the far most southern part of the Slufter, and the old creek was closed up a week later. On an average high tide the seawater only gets into the creeks and small lakes, on an extreme high tide the larger part of the Slufter is inundated.
  The vegetation consists largely of salt marsh plants. In June the area colors mainly purple because of the Sea-lavender. In October it is mainly red because of the Common glasswort. Sea-buckthorn also grows here.
  Many birds visit the Slufter estuary. The common eider breeds here, the spoonbill comes to forage and a variety of waders only enter on a high tide.
  Many seashells of the present sea fauna, as well as many fossil seashells dating back to the Eemian Stage wash on to the coastal plain of the Slufter.
  The Slufter is separated from the North Sea by two long dune strips, this area is called De Lange Dam. In between the dune stripes there is a valley with fresh water, many orchids grow here.
caption: Aerial view of De Slufter
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