Wilsterflappen in Drenthe

The tradition of catching Golden Plovers with specific pull nets, called ‘wilstemets’, is wellknown in the province of Friesland. However, it is also in use in the northern grasslands of the province of Drenthe, albeit at a much smaller scale than in Friesland. The author learned the trade from professionals in the early 1960s, when catching in spring was still permitted. Anecdotal data of catching Lapwings and Golden Plovers is provided for several regions in northern Drenthe, i.e. Leekstermeer area and the valleys of Grote Diep near Langelo and Hunze near Spijkerboor (open grasslands).