Het Zwin, Nature reserve at Dutch-Belgian border in Sluis, Netherlands.
Het Zwin is a nature reserve straddling the Dutch-Belgian border, featuring coastal wetlands with salt flats, marshes, and dune formations. The landscape is shaped by the sea and creates a complex mosaic of different habitats within a compact area.
The area was once part of a medieval waterway linking the North Sea to the port of Bruges, serving as a crucial trade route. The silting of this channel gradually reshaped the land into what exists today.
The area draws ornithologists and nature researchers who observe and study bird species in their natural habitat. The diversity here means rare species often appear, making the place a hub for birdwatchers throughout the seasons.
The reserve is accessible from both the Dutch and Belgian sides, with parking facilities and marked walking paths available. It is best visited during low tide, when more of the shoreline becomes visible and wildlife is more active.
Tides bring seawater in twice daily, supporting salt-resistant plants and specialized marine creatures found nowhere else in the region. This constantly shifting system allows nature to continually replenish nutrients.
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