Some geocaches transport you somewhere new, not just geographically, but into a story shaped by the people who care for a place. Kijkhut ‘It Gemaaltsje’: Van wol naar weidevogels (GCBAHBK) is one of those hides. Blending creativity, community spirit, and nature, this birdwatching hut transforms an old pumping station into a peaceful haven for birdwatchers and geocachers alike.

Visiting this geocache is a seasonal adventure. From March 25 to October 25, the only route to the hut is across the water. A small rowboat named WaarLamke waits at the waypoint, ready to ferry two people over the shallow, calm waters. During the colder months, when meadow birds rest, visitors take a walking path through a local farmer’s field instead.

This is a sensitive, protected place, and respect is essential. As the cache owner, NTM27, reminds us, the cache can thrive only if each visitor treats the environment with care.

 

Once you arrive, you’ll find the cache near the hut. Easy to spot, yet full of creative charm. Its design, a sewing machine inside the box, cleverly nods to the wool art that helped transform It Gemaaltsje, blending story and craftsmanship into one thoughtful hide.

Inside the hut, visitors can enjoy views of the meadows and perhaps catch a glimpse of some birds. It’s a place that invites stillness. A reminder that sometimes, the best finds come when we slow down.

The cache owner, NTM27, shares:

It’s one of my personal favourites as well ☺️ The community is so invested, they really supported a geocache being placed there, which I love too. The foundation was very supportive about me placing it there since not many people know about it, and they love to see more people come and visit it.

Those wishing to learn more or visit responsibly can connect through Instagram at @creativecache. The cache owner emphasizes, “It’s a delicate place, and I want people to visit it the right way so the foundation keeps supporting the cache there.”

Vogelkijkhut ‘It Gemaaltsje’ is more than just a geocache; it is a reflection of creativity, community, and care for the land. It invites geocachers to slow down and experience how art and collaboration can give new meaning to a place once left still.

Once, this small building served as a simple pumping station. When it fell out of use, the people of Sânfurd, a close-knit ‘mienskip’ (community), imagined something more. Their local foundation purchased the structure, and with the help of artist and activist Claudy Jongstra, whose artworks are crafted from local wool, they raised the funds needed to bring a birdwatching hut to life. Her work directly supported the transformation.

With collective effort, the community rebuilt the station into a warm and welcoming hut overlooking the meadows of Greidefûgelgebiet Sânfurd.

Have you ever found a cache that brings art, community, and nature together like this?

Header image by NTM27.