Horsterwold, Nature area in Flevoland, Netherlands.
Horsterwold is a nature area in the Dutch province of Flevoland, made up of broad-leaved woodland growing on clay soil, open meadows, and waterways. It is considered the largest woodland of its kind on clay soil in Western Europe.
The land here was once the bottom of the Zuiderzee, an inland sea that was drained during large reclamation works in the 20th century. Once the ground dried, vegetation gradually took hold and shaped the woodland and meadow landscape seen today.
Bird watchers regularly spot more than a hundred different species here, including rare woodpeckers and birds of prey. The scattered observation points are well placed to watch animals without disturbing them.
A network of cycling and hiking trails runs through the area, including a quieter route that leads deep into the forest and suits those looking to get away from the main paths. The area is open year-round, with spring and autumn offering the most varied wildlife.
A herd of Konik horses roams freely through the entire forest, keeping the grassland areas open through grazing without any human intervention. These semi-wild horses were introduced as a living tool for land management, replacing machines.
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