Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, Ghent

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Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen is a nature reserve on the outskirts of the Belgian city of Ghent.

The area is mainly located in the Mariakerke district and covers 230 hectares. It functions as a buffer zone and for this reason R4 noise barriers have been erected to reduce the sound impact of the road on wildlife.

It consists mainly of meadows, often flooded, interspersed with ditches and canals, and is an important wintering area for water birds. A large number of ducks and geese in fact overwinter here, on flooded meadows. The most common wild birds are whistles, teals and ladles. Some specimens of codon, gadwall, shelduck, quilted duck and pochard are present. There are also barnacle geese and Canadian geese (both non-native species). Other waterfowl include lapwings, curlews, ruffs and snipes.

Near the water are dragonflies and in the water are many species of aquatic invertebrates.

There are three main routes through the reserve and in the center is the so-called 'Valkenhuis' or Falcon house, a historic building previously used by falconers for the purpose of training birds on behalf of the Counts of Flanders. In 2006 an information center for visitors was built at the entrance to the reserve.

Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen

9030 Ghent, Belgium