Characteristics of the River Nature
These areas are characterized by typical river nature, with an emphasis on the richness of flowers in the summer and the water birds in the winter. The Overlaat van Linne and the banks of the Molengreend are freely accessible to pedestrians. There is a bike path running over the Overlaat that connects the western and eastern banks of the Maas. Due to the presence of grazing animals, dogs are not allowed on the overlaat, but leashed dogs are permitted on the hardened path.
Bird Habitat
From the eastern side of the locks at Osen, you have a stunning view over the Maasplassen area. Directly next to the lock complex is the Gerelingsplas, which has islands with willow forests established in the northern corner. Here, great crested grebes and moorhen breed along the water's edge, and there is a beaver lodge in the small forest. The Gerelingsplas and the Spoorplas (which is closed off from the Maas) form an important habitat for water birds within the Maasplassen.
The Overlaat van Linne has a very different appearance. During high water levels, the Maas water is diverted around the dam, while at low water levels, there is a bifurcated arm of the Maas that hardly moves. Along the banks, you can find marsh vegetation with bulrush, reed grass, and various ruderal plants. In the water, there are species of coontail and other floating aquatic plants, where pairs of teal breed. On the dikes along the Overlaat, there are large poplars, beneath which is a species-poor thicket that provides much cover for breeding birds such as the reed warbler. The area is grazed year-round by a small herd of Galloways.
The banks of the Molengreend are also grazed by Galloways. Especially in late summer, these banks are worth a walk due to their rich colors. This is where flowering vegetation is found in optimal form. On one of the islands, a small colony of cormorants breeds in the spring. In June and July, the pond is used by molting geese, which cannot fly during this period and need calm water without recreation to endure this critical phase of their year. In the winter months, this pond is also used by large numbers of ducks to overwinter frost-free.