Location 4: Anklaarseweg

In 1610, Johan Bongart and Dirck Warners were granted a long-term lease of land by the Marke (the governing body of the united free farmers) in Noord-Apeldoorn to build a flax, hemp and leather mill there. A run mill was also attached to it, in which ‘eek’ or ‘run’ (derived from the dried bark of an oak tree) was ground. Run was used in the tanning of animal hides into leather. The production of chamois leather gave off a strong odour. That is why the mill was called the ‘Stinkmolen’ (Stinking Mill). 

The owner of the watermill, Bartolt Dercksens, converted the Stinkmolen into a paper mill in 1648, but this did not put an end to the stench. This was because rotten urine was used in the paper-making process.  

Over the years, the mills changed hands frequently, but paper production continued. From 1900 onwards, they mainly produced wrapping paper and cardboard. The three mills were demolished between 1937 and 1939.  

See also: The Grift is flowing above ground again 

 

The cormorant: the deep-water diver 

With its glossy black plumage and sharp eyes, the cormorant is a master at hunting underwater. As soon as it spots a fish, it dives at lightning speed and disappears into the depths, sometimes for as long as half a minute. When it resurfaces, it often has a silvery prey dangling from its beak. 

The cormorant is a true predator. It does not hunt to dominate the ecosystem, but to keep it in balance. By eating fish, particularly species that occur in large numbers, it prevents populations from exploding and the water from becoming murky due to overgrazing of aquatic plants. In this way, it indirectly contributes to clear water and healthy vegetation. 

And there is another subtle contribution: cormorants are prey for predators such as white-tailed eagles and foxes, and their nests provide shelter for other birds. In this way, they form a hub in the web of life. 

Most waterbirds have a plumage and a layer of fat that provides insulation. This keeps them warm and helps them float more easily. For the cormorant, however, this combination would actually be a disadvantage, as it would make it harder for them to hunt underwater. They deal with the wet they get as a result by spreading their wings. The sun and wind then lend a hand in drying them out. You often see them drying their wings like this on lampposts. 

Reeds: a home for many animals 

Along the banks of the canal, you can see dense patches of reeds in various places, rustling gently in the wind. The sturdy rhizomes hold the bank together and prevent the soil from being washed away. Among the tall stems, birds such as reed warblers and little reed warblers find a safe place to nest. Dragonflies, damselflies and countless insects use the reeds as a landing spot, a hiding place and a hunting ground. 

Underwater, the roots form a maze where young fish and aquatic creatures find shelter. The fallen leaves and stems nourish aquatic life and contribute to a healthy riparian zone. Reeds along the canal are therefore much more than just a green border: they stabilise the banks, provide food and shelter, and keep aquatic life in balance. 

The early glassmaker: the harbinger of summer 

On a crisp spring day, when the first rays of sunshine make the water glisten, a graceful hunter appears: the early hawker. With its bronze-green body and striking brown spot on its abdomen, it is one of the first dragonflies to take to the skies. Its arrival is a sign that the water is teeming with life. 

The early-emerging damselfly is a miniature predator, both as a larva underwater and as an adult dragonfly in the air. Underwater, it hunts small insects, larvae and even young fish. Above the water, it catches mosquitoes, flies and other insects in mid-flight. In doing so, it plays a crucial role: regulating insect populations. Fewer mosquitoes mean less nuisance and a healthier balance in the ecosystem. 

But its value goes further than that. The larvae of the glasswing dragonfly live in the water for months or even years and serve as indicators of water quality. They require clean, oxygen-rich water with sufficient vegetation. Where this dragonfly is found, the ecosystem is usually healthy and stable. 

Furthermore, the early-season dragonfly itself serves as a food source for birds, frogs and other insectivores. It thus forms an important link in the food chain. Its presence contributes to biodiversity and the functioning of the entire ecosystem. And there is something else remarkable: because it is active early in the season, there are no other competing dragonflies around. In this way, it prevents any single species from dominating all insect populations.