Wildlife stroll in Gelbressée

This walk in the countryside starts at the church of Gelbressée, a place norhteast of the city of Namur with the same name as the brook that crosses it. Before going off, watch the remarkable lime trees surrounding the church. The linden is a common tree in these areas. It can grow up to 40 metres tall and reach a respectable age of 100 years. Its white and tender wood is used to fabricate furniture, piano keys, pencils, wood pulp. The first part of the route runs along the edge of a wood. Then you start crossing the farmlands of the Hesbaye region. Impressive farms rise between vast cereal and sugar beet crops. You will follow two brooks: the second one is the Gelbressée mentionned earlier. The route leads to the Ferme de la Maquelette and then meanders down to the village to return to the start. The fields and meadows are the habitat of the Northern Lapwing. This bird has a dark upper plumage (back and wings) with a green sheen. Its white chest is topped with a black neck. It has a black edge at the end of its white tail and a crest at the back of its head. The lapwing has a characteristic shrill call. From the brochure "Balades nature en Namurois". Editor: Département Environnement et Propreté de la Ville de Namur.