When the Zuiderzee (IJsselmeer) was drained and reclaimed in 1968 this 56km2 was the last part to be converted into farmland. Only due to the water levels and saltine mud there wasn't much interest and it turned into a large marshland and paradise for wildlife.

Only due to experimental nature management with large Heck Cattle, Konink Horses and Red Reed and no top preditor the large grazers grew out of controll and in the winter many starved and freezed to death. These grazers also had a negative impact on the smaller wildlife and diversity of the area. Now numbers are controlled and hopefully the ideas with fluctuating water levels will be put into practice for a more diverse nature.

Still it's an intresting birding destination with breeding White-tailed Eagles that are joined by immature birds during the winter. And along the edges you can find breeding Bittern (sometimes also Little Bittern), Bearded Reedling, Willow Tit, Bluethroat, Spoonbills and Great Egrets.