With open spaces and dark forests. With colourful heathlands, marshy pools and towering trees. Nature reserve De Maashorst is a place where animals feel completely at home and people are spectators. A real primeval area.
Many different wild animals live in the nature reserve. In addition to the large grazers, there are also smaller mammals, such as the fox and the badger. But also birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. So don’t forget your binoculars when you enter the area.
Large grazers
The arrival of people has changed the nature reserve considerably in recent centuries. In order to restore it, nature is now given space. There are also three impressive grazers that ensure that the natural landscape becomes what it once was: wild, pure and authentic.
The other residents
Within the natural system of De Maashorst, each animal has its own place. From mammals to the smallest insects, they all fulfill their own useful role. Some of them are easy to spot, others you don’t see or only during certain times or periods.
mammals
The mammals in De Maashorst can be divided into a number of groups. In addition to the grazers, including the deer, we have various types of insectivores, bats, mustelids and rodents.
birds
De Maashorst is an attractive area for various types of breeding birds. Their presence says something about the quality of the nature reserve. Birds only breed somewhere where food and nesting opportunities are present.
reptiles
The oldest inhabitants of the heathlands in nature reserve De Maashorst are reptiles. If there is vegetation with sufficient hiding places, they can hide well from birds of prey. They themselves mainly eat insects.
amphibians
Nine species of amphibians live in the pools, fens and streams of De Maashorst. This makes it a rich area. However, the reproduction of a number of rare species has declined sharply due to the drought of recent years.
insects / invertebrates
This group of residents of the nature reserve De Maashorst consists of many different species. Think of grasshoppers, dragonflies, spiders, harvestmen, bees and wasps, butterflies, ants, ground beetles and small aquatic animals.