Nature

Deckers Aviary
The Walbeck church tower, with a radius of approx. 8 km, is the centre of attraction for flocks of passing birds, carrier and wild pigeons, kestrels and peregrine falcons, jackdaws, barn owls (Dutch Kerkuil / "church owl") and many other bird species. In the gable of the main house there is one and in two gables of the post hotel there are incubators installed. Barn owls have been breeding in the main building at irregular intervals since the end of the 19th century until 2004. Since 2008, barn owls have been breeding regularly in the new incubators of the Posthotel.
2019 was a good "mice year". 6 young barn owls have grown up. Never before have there been so many.

The kestrels change between the church tower and our incubators. Furthermore, bat and swift boxes are attached to the house. Tits and house redtails breed at the car park. On our 1 hectare orchard there are also little owls (not regularly) and in our natural forest at the Fossa Eugeniana there are regularly breeding marsh tits and spotted woodpeckers.

 

Young barn owl in gable south side (without flashlight)

 

National park De Maasduinen, distance 5 km
Shortly after the border with the Netherlands, the Dutch "National Park" begins. In this wooded and open cultural landscape you can observe numerous species of geese and ducks. On the "Maas dunes", fenced-in goats and sheep provide the typical heath landscape. We recommend the red and white route (duration approx. 1 hour), which starts from the car park at "De Hamert". In the adjoining pancake house, you can even see songbirds until the beginning of April on provided food columns.

 

Wild geese in "Pikmeeuwen water"

 

Nature park Schwalm-Nette, distance 14 km
The Nature Park Centre in Wachtendonk, in the listed Püllen House, is located in one of the oldest buildings in Wachtendonk. The exhibition, which is subject to a fee, shows the development from the original natural landscape to the present day cultural landscape shaped by man and his demands in the form of a journey through time. Visitors can learn about the diversity, uniqueness and beauty of the nature park in a sound slide show free of charge.
Tues. - Sun. 9.00 - 12.30 hrs, Feldstraße 35

Magyar Viszla am De Wittsee

 

Wild geese - the natural spectacle on the Lower Rhine, distance 30 km
Every year an impressive natural spectacle takes place on the Lower Rhine during the winter months. Up to 200,000 wild geese from Siberia stay here. The Wesel Biological Station in the Wesel district takes them by bus to the wild geese' resting places. In addition, interesting facts about the life of the guests from the far north are also communicated. 02 81 / 9 62 52

Wild geese on the Bislicher Insel