Het Zwanenwater nature reserve
Het Zwanenwater in Callantsoog lies tucked away in the dunes of North Holland. This protected nature reserve is home to the largest natural dune lakes in Europe. Here you walk through dune valleys full of flowers and butterflies.
From the bird hides you can spot birds on the First and Second Lake. A lovely walking route has been mapped out through Het Zwanenwater; it leads past the first lake with a floating hide where you can read off the water level, and takes you to a bird hide overlooking the second lake, where you can spot all kinds of birds such as cormorants, tufted ducks and greylag geese — and with a bit of luck you may even see pelicans. Cattle also graze here, giving rare plants a chance by grazing away the grass and young saplings.
Het Zwanenwater came into being after the construction of the Zijperzeedijk in 1596. Drifting sand created dunes, valleys and lakes. Natuurmonumenten has protected this nature reserve since 1973. In 1988 Het Zwanenwater was given international wetland status as an important area for migratory birds. In 2008 it was designated a geological monument.