Flowering season 2017
info: in the southeastern part of the forest, called ‘Keldergat’, trees have been felled this year (wood extraction). Trunks and crowns are lying in various places in that part of the forest and there are piles of firewood along the trails. From 1 March to 30 June however, the wood extraction stops (“schoon” time) and the loggers are not allowed to continue their work. “Schoon” time comes from the German “Schonen” meaning ‘save’, ‘protect’. The “schoon” period helps to protect the vegetation (spring flowers), to ‘save’ and not to disturb the nesting birds.
Permission for professional photo shoots, with or without models, or film recordings must be requested via the box office. In the Hallerbos you must always stay on the paths, also when taking pictures and filming. The soil and vegetation are fragile and very sensitive to trampling. The use of drones is not allowed in the forest.
The morning, when everything is still quiet in the woods, is the ideal time to observe roe deer. If you see a deer, it’s best to stand still and be very quiet. Then you have the chance that they do not run away immediately. Roe deer see every movement very well and they hear every sound with their big ears. The does are now pregnant. Dog-fanciers: keep your dog on a leash, so they do not hunt the deer.
The wild daffodils are coming in bloom, but full bloom is to be expected in the second half of March.
Hazel starts blooming, about 14 days later than last year. The male yellow catkins have been there for some time, but now also the tiny female petalless red flowers on top of the female flower buds are there. The first leaves of the wild daffodils peep up through the carpet of brown beech leaves. Even a rare flower bud can be seen. Due to the long cold period in January, the daffodils will start blooming later than last year.
Even if the snow has now disappeared on the trails, a thin layer has remained in the forest. The fog creates a mysterious atmosphere. The loggers are no longer allowed to use machines to drag tree trunks, because the soil is no longer frozen and this would cause damage to the soft ground. They can still fell trees. But clearing (bringing the trunks from the forest to the wood) will happen later. The gorse is not affected by the cold and starts to bloom.
The forest looks like a scene from a fairytale this morning. Early visitors walk in a thin layer of creaking snow.