Oostvaardersplassen Lelystad - Nature

The Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve is located in the province of Flevoland. It is one of the largest wetlands in Europe and is home to a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals.

The area was created in the 1960s, when part of the new polder Flevoland was not reclaimed for agriculture. Instead, the area was returned to nature and developed into a wetland, which has since grown into a unique and valuable nature reserve.

The Oostvaardersplassen consists of various habitats, such as marshes, reed beds, rugged grasslands and open water. This diverse environment makes it a popular place for many species of birds, including spoonbills, sea eagles, black-tailed godwits and many species of geese. But the area is best known for the large grazers that live there, such as Heck cattle, Konik horses and red deer.

The large grazers play an important role in the management of the area. Because the area is completely closed off from the outside world, there are no predators. As a result, the grazers can multiply rapidly in numbers and a food shortage can arise. To prevent this, a so-called 'natural management' is carried out, whereby the animals are monitored and supplemented if necessary.

The nature reserve is not accessible to cars and cyclists, but various walking and cycling routes have been set out . There are also various viewpoints and bird hides where visitors can enjoy the unique landscape and the many bird species that live there.