During the trip there is also attention for life on the water and on the beach. Because everything is happening. If you pay close attention to everything that flies, swims, walks and crawls on the water, in the air and on the beach, you will see how varied this is. The sea and the beach are beautiful and unforgiving at the same time, it is a place where the law of the fittest prevails, where a battle for food is fought by a number of rough and raw customers, such as the seagull, the cormorant and the seal. These coastal dwellers are made to withstand wind and weather, they are real hunters who will stop at nothing. 
The North Sea and the Wadden Sea are rich in food, which you can notice by the presence of many species of birds, the seal population that continues to grow and the many porpoises that are observed off the coast.
The seal is the most famous inhabitant of the North Sea and Wadden Sea, with its beautiful shiny fur and its large, shiny black  eyes. Under water he is a fast hunter who has to outwit five kilos of fish every day with his razor-sharp teeth. Above water, you'll see  softer side as it warms up, rests, and dries up at low tide, ready to hunt again at high tide. It is quite possible that we will encounter seals on the beach during the trip. If it is resting and if it is not visibly injured, it is best to leave it alone. During the stop on the Balg, the following also applies: keep an appropriate distance (40 meters) and do not chase the animal. During the ride we can encounter both the common and the gray seal. You will also see all kinds of seagulls foraging for food along the coast. Seagulls catch fish and search the fresh ashore for small sea creatures, such as crabs and shrimps. But you also see Terns, they hunt in groups along shallow water for fish. A group of seabirds above the water indicates the presence of a school of fish. You will also encounter cormorants, which let their wings dry in the wind after a hunting party at sea. Did you know that a colony of dwarf terns breeds on the Eilander Balg? During the breeding season, a number of them nest in the vegetation on the bellows, if you come too close they will sound their alarm call, asking you to keep your distance. 

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          _cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_           _cc781905 -5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Photo: Ashley Aerts photography

Beautiful finds can be made on the beach of Schiermonnikoog. Everything washes ashore: items from the shipping industry, beautiful pieces of wood, special sea creatures, pieces of rope, helmets, bones and teeth of prehistoric animals, amber and bags full of shells. If you look closely, you can really find anything. The true beachcomber sees a story, a second life or even trade in every object. On the beach of Schiermonnikoog you can encounter special shells such as the whelk, the northern crotch and the wide mantle, it is really a moment of happiness if you find one. During the stop you can encounter all sorts of things; we are always very curious about your beach finds and the story behind them. Everything on the beach has a story, beach finds often have a long or special journey behind them. Your driver is always available for clarification, strong beachcombing stories or other questions. We also offer the possibility to collect waste that is on the beach, which you can then deposit in the village bin, because a better environment still starts with ourselves.
In the summer months we hold a so-called 'shell stop' during the rides. About a kilometer from the terminus, you can disembark and look for beautiful shells along the coastline. For those who do not want this, the bellows express then continues to the terminus.
The drive to De Balg takes about 45 minutes. Along the way there is explanation in Dutch, German and English. When you disembark, you are completely absorbed in the landscape, which feels like the end of the world. You can contact the driver with all your questions, he also has a telescope with him, so that you can view the surroundings even better.
It happens regularly that seals come to see what we are doing there. The stop on the Eilander Balg takes about 45 minutes and if you have had a good look at everything, we will return to the village with an experience richer.
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