Nederland - Paterswolde, Friese Veen

Friese Veen (also called Friescheveen) is a nature reserve - adjacent to Huis Vennebroek - which actually consists of two parts. The Friese Veen itself is a small lake that is difficult to access. It was created in the middle of the 18th century by dredging peat, which was used as fuel. This dredging was done by Friese workers - inhabitants of the Dutch province of Friesland. That gave the area its name.

The lake surrounded by swamp forest is separated by a low sandy dike from the polder Camphuis. This polder has not been drained since 1994, allowing nature to take its course. The original meadow has slowly but surely changed into a rough swamp, in which many species of birds can be found. The polder owes its name to P.A. Camphuis, who bought the entire area to build a villa in 1906.

(I couldn't take a proper picture from the Friese Veen itself, because its banks were inaccessible and a viewpoint was closed due to the corona crisis. Therefore only a few pictures of the polder.)