Réserve naturelle nationale des étangs du Romelaëre, National nature reserve in Nieurlet, France
The Réserve naturelle nationale des étangs du Romelaëre is a protected nature reserve near Saint-Omer featuring ponds, reed beds, and peat forests across roughly 100 hectares. The water bodies and surrounding vegetation create different habitats for wildlife and plants to thrive.
The site developed in the 1800s when peat was extracted from the ground, leaving behind water-filled holes. Nature gradually transformed these excavations into an important wetland system.
Visitors come here to watch birds and learn about wetland habitats through guided observation points scattered across the site. The paths connect various viewing platforms where people spend time observing herons, ducks, and other water birds going about their daily activities.
Access is possible during the warmer months, and marked paths guide visitors through the site. A wheelchair-accessible route makes the area reachable for people with limited mobility.
The reserve hosts more than 200 bird species, including the rare little bittern that breeds and fishes in the ponds. This shy, small bird is hard to spot, but its calls can sometimes be heard in early morning.
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