De Weerribben National Park III

De Weerribben-De Wieden National Park is one of the most important wetland areas in Europe. With 35 square kilometers of open water, reedlands and swamp forests, De Weerribben is a natural habitat for many bird, mammal and insect species. Water lilies, crabgrass or water hemlock grow and bloom on the ponds, fens and lakes, but you also see large masses of the carnivorous plant bladderwort floating. In the reedlands, where the soil quickly acidifies , colorful fireweeds, skullcap, bindweed and marsh buckthorn stand out. Where the soil has acidified, heath, peat moss, sundew and marsh leaf grow and the forests consist largely of alder, birch and rowan. Deer, foxes and otters survive on what De Weerribben has to offer, but the area also offers plenty of opportunities for survival for the purple heron , the black tern, the bittern or the golden oriole. A wide variety of butterflies and dragonflies flit from plant to plant in the watery, boggy environment. You can park your car at the visitor center 'De Weerribben'. The visitor center has a wealth of information about the nature reserve and the animals that live there. You can also learn more about the duck decoys in the area and the way De Weerribben is managed. In the 'ervarium' you will experience how the seasons influence De Weerribben. This is the ideal place to make the final preparations for your route and start your cycling tour. Special attention on this route is given to the Ossenzijl tjasker mill, which has supplied the underlying polder land with water since 1977. The mill can also be viewed up close and characterizes the landscape in a unique way.