Bullewijk, Amstelland nature reserve

The Bullewijk is a river in the municipality of Ouder-Amstel, some 2 miles long. A stone’s throw away from Amsterdam, this reserve is all about tranquility, space and the beautiful nature. The adjacent Ouderkerkerplas (lake) is both a popular recreation area and a magnet for birds. The lake is some 40 metres deep at its deepest, and saltwater flows in from the North Sea, so the Ouderkerkerplas doesn’t freeze over when temperatures plummet. In wintertime, you can spot water birds such as the wigeon, tufted duck and various geese, while come summer, look out for birds including sand martins.