Top 5 Lakes around Geer

The ponds were created in the 1960s and small willow groves spontaneously emerged between the ponds, where woodpeckers and the golden oriole, among others, build their nests. The relatively pure groundwater in the ponds allows for a very diverse aquatic life, ranging from dragonflies, fish, kingfishers, cormorants, to even yellow-bellied turtles. Around the ponds, the white willows are particularly striking. They grow quickly, but their branches break easily. Because they do not contain hard heartwood, birds such as the green woodpecker and the great spotted woodpecker use them to carve out their nests. The branches hanging close to the water offer ideal resting or lookout spots for mallards and grey herons.

Probably already in the Middle Ages and certainly from the 17th century onwards, the wet valley of the Dormaalbeek and the Zeyp was used by the villagers of Attenhoven and Rumsdorp as hay meadows, hence the name 'Beemden'. After WWII, land use changed. The wet areas became unprofitable for agriculture and were abandoned. The hay meadows were drained and used as pasture for cattle or sheep. Certain parts were planted with poplars. Here and there you can still find remnants of former hay meadows, but from the 1960s onwards, the appearance of the Beemden changed drastically, and currently there are about seven distinct biotopes. This rich variety ensures a great diversity of wild species. Organisms from both wet and dry soils, from running and stagnant water, from forest and hay meadow feel at home there.

Ponds are crucial, small water bodies that bring life to the landscape by serving as indispensable breeding grounds for amphibians (frogs, toads, newts), dragonflies, and numerous aquatic insects.

A beautiful area of (only) 34.5 hectares, characterized by reed beds, cattail ponds, and pools fringed by shrubs or with open banks... These diverse habitats offer countless bird species places to forage, nest, hibernate, or rest during their migration. No fewer than 212 species have already been observed! (Source: www.natagora.be)

In the midst of the large-scale cultural landscape, this area is one of the last refuges for wild animals and plants in Landen. Small willow groves spontaneously developed between the ponds, where woodpeckers and golden orioles, among others, make their nests. The relatively pure groundwater in the ponds makes a very varied aquatic life possible, ranging from the large yellow-edged water beetle to dragonflies, fish and kingfishers. The pussy willows around the ponds are particularly striking. They grow quickly, but their branches break off easily. Because they do not contain any hard heartwood, birds such as the green and the great spotted woodpecker use them to carve out their nests. The branches that hang close to the water offer ideal resting or viewing places for wild ducks and blue herons. They are especially vital for the kingfisher. Sitting on a lookout post, it hunts for rudd, sticklebacks and other aquatic animals in the water. In early summer, white foam drops sometimes fall from the pussy willows: cuckoo spit. It comes from the larvae of the foam cicada, which produce foam and hide in it. Many other insects live on the pussy willows. They are eagerly eaten by insectivorous birds such as the chiffchaff, the willow warbler and the spotted flycatcher. The bankside vegetation with bulrush, hairy willowherb and marsh sedge offers nesting opportunities for the moorhen and the coot. In summer, many dragonflies and damselflies float above and around the ponds, the most striking of which is the large emperor dragonfly. Swallows hunt for mosquitoes above the ponds. This is therefore the ideal place for a hobby to catch both a swallow and a large dragonfly. In addition to the various types of grass, you will find plants here that feel at home in a dry, calcareous environment. Striking features include the box pod, the cinquefoil and the wild marjoram. Here you can observe numerous species of butterflies in the summer. From the piled-up area you have a good view of the reed field, the breeding area of the reed warbler, the sedge warbler, the reed bunting and many other marsh birds. Wood edges screen the hayfield and the berry or nut-bearing shrubs offer shelter and food to birds such as the garden warbler, chiffchaff and jay. On the darkest parts you can sometimes find glowworms in the evening. Source: https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/beemden-landen

The most beautiful part. You can also go around some ponds. I was surprised to see so many water birds on such a relatively short and small part and to see two kingfishers sitting. A path to take some time when it is quiet and observe well.

In the midst of the large-scale cultural landscape, this area is one of the last refuges for wild animals and plants in Landen. Small willow groves spontaneously developed between the ponds, where woodpeckers and golden orioles, among others, make their nests. The relatively pure groundwater in the ponds makes a very varied aquatic life possible, ranging from the large yellow-edged water beetle to dragonflies, fish and kingfishers. The pussy willows around the ponds are particularly striking. They grow quickly, but their branches break off easily. Because they do not contain any hard heartwood, birds such as the green and the great spotted woodpecker use them to carve out their nests. The branches that hang close to the water offer ideal resting or viewing places for wild ducks and blue herons. They are especially vital for the kingfisher. Sitting on a lookout post, it hunts for rudd, sticklebacks and other aquatic animals in the water. In early summer, white foam drops sometimes fall from the pussy willows: cuckoo spit. It comes from the larvae of the foam cicada, which produce foam and hide in it. Many other insects live on the pussy willows. They are eagerly eaten by insectivorous birds such as the chiffchaff, the willow warbler and the spotted flycatcher. The bankside vegetation with bulrush, hairy willowherb and marsh sedge offers nesting opportunities for the moorhen and the coot. In summer, many dragonflies and damselflies float above and around the ponds, the most striking of which is the large emperor dragonfly. Swallows hunt for mosquitoes above the ponds. This is therefore the ideal place for a hobby to catch both a swallow and a large dragonfly. In addition to the various types of grass, you will find plants here that feel at home in a dry, calcareous environment. Striking features include the box pod, the cinquefoil and the wild marjoram. Here you can observe numerous species of butterflies in the summer. From the piled-up area you have a good view of the reed field, the breeding area of the reed warbler, the sedge warbler, the reed bunting and many other marsh birds. Wood edges screen the hayfield and the berry or nut-bearing shrubs offer shelter and food to birds such as the garden warbler, chiffchaff and jay. On the darkest parts you can sometimes find glowworms in the evening. Source: https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/beemden-landen

Beautiful path along the Attenhovense Beemden. On one side flanked by the Zyp that runs a little further into the Dormaalbeek. On the other side the beautiful natural meadow ponds.