Lauwersmeer National Park

Lauwersmeer National Park lies on the border of Groningen and Friesland in the north of the Netherlands, around a former sea inlet that was closed off from the Wadden Sea in 1969. The Lauwerszee had been an open estuary, and after the great flood of 1953 the Dutch government decided to close it with a dam as part of the Delta Works programme of coastal defence. The closure created a freshwater lake, the Lauwersmeer, and in the decades that followed nature took over much of the newly exposed land, turning it into a mosaic of water, reed, grassland and scrub. It became a national park in 2003.

The park is above all a place for birds. More than a hundred species breed here, and in autumn and spring tens of thousands of geese, especially barnacle geese, pass through or stay for the winter. Spoonbills, sea eagles and peregrine falcons are among the notable species, and the reed beds support rare marsh birds. The wet meadows and lake margins attract waders and ducks throughout the year, and the park is also home to foxes, hardy Highland cattle and Konik horses that graze the grasslands to keep them open, along with orchids in the damper places.

Visitors begin at the Lauwersnest information centre near Lauwersoog, where maps and information about trails are available. Observation towers and bird hides are scattered around the park, giving views over the water and the marshes, and walking and cycling routes lead through the landscape. The Lauwersmeer Dike and Harbor is another interesting area, with views over the lake and the Wadden Sea. Lauwersoog is also the departure point for ferries to the island of Schiermonnikoog, and the harbour has fish restaurants, so it is easy to combine a bird walk with a meal.

The park has a further distinction: it is a Dark Sky Park, one of the places in the Netherlands where the night is dark enough to see the Milky Way, and stargazing events are held. Because there are few villages and little light pollution, a clear night here can be spectacular. Most entrances have free parking, and public buses link the park with nearby towns, though services may be limited.

The park suits birdwatchers, cyclists, walkers, photographers and stargazers. Autumn is the best season for geese, spring for breeding birds and summer for long walks. Bring binoculars and waterproof clothing, as weather on the open land can change quickly.