Zwin Nature Park, international bird airport
Zwin Nature Park is a stunning reserve that follows the rhythm of the tide. This remarkable place is an annual stopover for tens of thousands of migratory birds on their journey south.
Zwin Nature Park is a haven for birdwatchers, nature lovers and avid hikers. It is also the perfect place for anyone who enjoys an adventure. The Zwin region is packed with micro-adventures for maxi-joy. Enjoy a refreshing forest bath, go packrafting or wake up on a raft in the vast natural landscape. There are many other things to experience, too.
Start with the untouched nature itself. Right next to the North Sea, bordering the Netherlands, you’ll find a magnificent reserve: Zwin Nature Park, a tidal area where the North Sea flows in twice daily. This urge floods the sandflats, filling the creeks and gulleys, so the scenery changes constantly as fresh and salt water interact. Thanks to this unique encounter, a rich biodiversity thrives and rare species flourish.
Salt-loving plants such as samphire and sea aster are most typical of the Zwin, thanks to the mix of fresh and saltwater. When spring turns to summer, the sea aster reveals its true beauty: as it flowers, it transforms the landscape into a carpet of pink and purple.
You can discover these many delights and more besides on walking loops across the Zwin plain, which introduce you to the mudflats and salt marshes. You’ll meet all the Zwin residents up close and be enchanted by the natural beauty that changes every season. Be sure to bring your binoculars! Waterproof shoes are also a good idea.
This reserve is a divine setting for travelers, but also a favorite with our feathered friends. In fact, this place is known as an “international airport” for migratory birds; for centuries it has been a breeding ground and resting point along the migration route of many bird species. Around migration time, you can see barn swallows swooping across the landscape and hear the heavenly song of the nightingales, beautiful rituals repeated every year. You’ll see storks — the park’s unofficial mascots — incubating their eggs and raising their young. In mid-summer, the chicks leave the nest, to embark a few weeks later on their journey into the big, wide world. This magnificent reserve gives you a front-row seat for these remarkable scenes.
Even beyond the boundaries of this reserve, there is so much to do. The Zwin region is an oasis of open space and tranquility. You can enjoy walking and cycling, heritage and art in charming towns and villages. A two-day adventure in the Zwin region? We’ll gladly help you on your way.
