Discover the De Groene Ster nature reserve on foot

Walk in urban Leeuwarden to the area where people come for water recreation and bird watching. The Frisian nature reserve Grutte Wielen shows that a bird area can be perfectly combined with human use. Nevertheless, the Grutte Wielen, which consists of lakes, reed and sedge marshes, wet grasslands, arable lands and hay meadows, is an important nature reserve . Geese, ducks and waders seek refuge in and on the water, while meadow birds retreat to the grasslands. On the sandy soils and by the belts, between the arable lands that are flooded in winter, the marsh harrier, the bittern, the bluethroat, the bearded male, the water rail and many reed warblers inhabit the bogs.

There is a lot of surfing and sailing on the Grutte Wielen and that is fine, because the water sports enthusiasts know that they have to avoid the reed collars and banks to give the birds a rest. The two duck decoys in the area are real historical elements, which have defined the image of the Grutte Wheels for centuries.

However, the Bullemolen is also iconic during the walk. The polder mill is located on the Bonkevaart and was used in 1825 to drain the Bulle and Litspoder. The mill owes its name to the lurid profession of one of the former owners, who was the hangman of Leeuwarden. Those who want to view the ground sailer can make an appointment.