Geocache De Aarlese Beemden

This geocache runs through the Aarlese Beemden. These are located north of the village of Aarle-Rixtel between the village edge and the Wilhelmina Canal. The field name "Beemd" is used in North Brabant to refer to meadows in a stream valley. This means that it was originally a wet hayfield situated in a low position. The area was part of the lowland stream the Aa. There is little left of this biotope because two canals cut through Laarbeek. Around 1824, the Zuid-Willemsvaart was dug and a century later the Wilhelminakanaal. Because of this, the Aa lost its function as a lowland brook for this area.

The high biodiversity of the Beemd is …

This geocache runs through the Aarlese Beemden. These are located north of the village of Aarle-Rixtel between the village edge and the Wilhelmina Canal. The field name "Beemd" is used in North Brabant to refer to meadows in a stream valley. This means that it was originally a wet hayfield situated in a low position. The area was part of the lowland stream the Aa. There is little left of this biotope because two canals cut through Laarbeek. Around 1824, the Zuid-Willemsvaart was dug and a century later the Wilhelminakanaal. Because of this, the Aa lost its function as a lowland brook for this area.

The high biodiversity of the Beemd is caused by the fact that this area has escaped large-scale agriculture. Nowadays, it is managed by small hobby farmers. The historical parcel division within the area has existed for more than 200 years because, in contrast to most of Brabant, land consolidation never took place here. The IVN, Laarbeek department, has an area of 1½ ha of this under management. The part around the IVN building "de Bimd" will be laid out as a botanical garden with accompanying flora and fauna, an insect hotel, a pool and a marsh (which can be visited on request). The part with the poplar forest, the pollard-willow woodrush and wood bank, ditch and pools in the meadow are freely accessible.

Sights on this route

Starting point: Phaffstraat 36
5735 CN Aarle-Rixtel
End point: Phaffstraat 36
5735 CN Aarle-Rixtel

Directions

Starting point: Phaffstraat 36
5735 CN Aarle-Rixtel

Parking is available at: N 51.30.779 - E 5 38.656

WP1: N51.30.833 - E5.38.576
Which number do you see on the IVN pole? A=

WP2: N 51.30.997 - E 5 38.5(A-3)9
Here you will find an information board about this diversions. How many jugs are bricked in here? B=

WP3: N 51 30.991 - E 5 38.5(C-16)9
You are standing in front of an insect wall. This wall is also very suitable for the mason bee. Mason bees make use of above-ground cavities in trees and walls. They can also gnaw out cavities themselves in soft materials, such as marl. Mason bees are solitary and do not build a colony. The mason bee lays about 10 brood cells per cavity. The eggs are deposited in the brood cells; each egg receives a food supply for the hatching larva. After an egg has been laid, the female shields it by building a wall, after which the next egg is laid. The young bees do not fly out until the following year after they have gnawed their way out of their hiding place. The mason bee does not cause any further damage to a wall. The mason bee only nests in existing cavities. The mason bee is not dangerous for humans either.
Count the number of tree trunks in this wall. C=

WP4: N51 31.031 -E5 38.(C+40)0 
On the other side of the ditch is a field of copses. The culture of grienden is very old. As early as the Iron Age, willows were cut and the 'toes' used for wickerwork in the walls of houses. A grienden is a damp field on which willow is grown. The demand for wattle wood declined sharply after this period so that many of the wattles were no longer maintained. The trees were planted and regularly stumped about 25 cm above the ground - this is higher in this field. New branches grew from the stumps. An annual deposited grienden was called a cut grienden, twijgwaard or twig ground. The thin twigs were especially suitable for making baskets. The thin twigs were especially suitable for making baskets.rienden that were harvested every five years were called "chopping grienden". The heavier branches were suitable for many purposes, from tool stems to the weaving of zinc pieces. Pollard willows, with their dense crown and often hollow trunk, provide much nesting and hiding space for birds, martens, bats and insects. They therefore often enrich the fauna of an area. Here is a tree that is "almost falling apart". What kind of tree is this (4 letters). Pile up the answer. D=

WP5: N51 31.044 - E5 38.554
The spot is near a beautiful willow tree of about 100 years old. This tree was probably planted as a "border tree". People used to use trees to mark the boundaries of plots. Oaks were often used for this purpose. Solitary trees on a piece of land were often boundary trees in earlier times.

WP6: N51.31.1(D-6)3 - E5.38.5E9  
Here is an information board about the area around the pond. This pool has been restored to its former glory after it was created in the 1970s to provide a piece of nature's delight near Aarle-Rixtel. The heaps of grass near this waypoint serve as hiding places for insects and mice. The mice in turn serve as food for the owls that occur in this area. They increase the biodiversity in this area. You can also enjoy and picnic at the pond. How many water plants are mentioned on this sign? E=

WP7: N51.31.054 - E5.38.744
Here in the country, you can still find wooded banks instead of fences. These used to be used for stove wood and building wood. You are now walking on an old country path - more than 200 years old: De Beemdsteeg.

WP8: N51.30.9F4 - E5.38.813
What's in the wooden box? One . .  (Watch out for possible electric fencing near the box!) F=
Stack the word (3 letter word).

Estimate: N51 30.A(F-2)(E+3) - E5 38.72(B-1)

Additional hints: Insects like to hide below.

End point: Phaffstraat 36
5735 CN Aarle-Rixtel