Exotic pink superstars are the main attraction at the Zwillbrocker Venn, a nature reserve in western Münsterland near the German-Dutch border. Nestled amid a landscape of marshes and wetlands, flamingos can be seen here every year raising their young. The colony of about 40 to 50 birds returns to the Venn every spring during the breeding season and uses the habitat as a nursery. In addition to the flamingos, the Zwillbrocker Venn is home to a variety of other bird species, including spoonbills, black-headed gulls, and lapwings. With its wet meadows, bogs, and small forests, the area offers a diverse habitat for numerous animal and plant species. Particularly impressive are the blooming moorland heaths in summer and the vibrant fall colors of the alder and birch forests.
A roughly six-kilometer circular hiking trail leads around the large moor lake and to the best observation points. Specially designed bird-watching huts allow visitors to observe the flamingos and other rare birds in peace. You can also explore the nature reserve by bike: a 450-kilometer-long Flamingo Route takes you right past these long-legged birds.
