Natuurreservaat De Zig

Natuurreservaat De Zig is a compact yet bird-rich nature reserve in the municipality of Kinrooi, in the Belgian province of Limburg, right on the border with the Netherlands. The site lies between two small watercourses, the Nieuwe Lossing and the Nieuwe Abeek, and forms part of the cross-border nature park Kempen-Broek, which spans land on both sides of the Belgian-Dutch border.

What did this landscape look like before it became a reserve?

The land that is now De Zig once belonged to an extensive marshland stretching along the border. Around the middle of the 20th century, in the 1950s, the former ponds and wet meadows were drained and planted with poplar trees grown for timber production. For decades the area lost its watery character entirely.

How was the reserve restored?

The turning point came through a joint project between Limburgs Landschap, the Flemish Land Agency (Vlaamse Landmaatschappij), and the local authorities of Kinrooi. Together they recreated the old pattern of ponds fringed with dense reed beds, bringing back habitats that had defined the region before drainage. Today the reserve covers roughly 66 hectares, a large share of which — according to regional landscape organisations — consists of around 17 hectares of ponds surrounded by reed edges and marshy ground.

Which species live here?

The restoration of the wetlands has clearly benefited water birds and reed-dependent species. Birds recorded in the reserve include water rail, bluethroat, and teal. Other species mentioned for this stretch of Kempen-Broek include grasshopper warbler, common cuckoo, golden oriole, willow warbler, blackcap, Eurasian bullfinch, and common kingfisher. The wet, vegetated ponds also make the area attractive to dragonflies, including early-season damselfly species typical of clean reed-lined water. Beavers have also been noted in nature descriptions of the surrounding area.

How can visitors explore De Zig?

Most walking routes start from the car park on Doorslagstraat in Kinrooi. From there it is about a 600-metre walk to the beginning of the marked trail. The main route, marked in yellow, runs for roughly 7 kilometres in a loop through the most interesting parts of the reserve. Additional marked routes in the area connect De Zig with the neighbouring De Goort, allowing visitors to extend or shorten their walk as they wish.

Is there a birdwatching hide?

Yes — the reserve includes an observation hide set at the edge of one of the ponds, giving visitors a discreet vantage point to watch waterbirds in both winter and summer without disturbing them. It is a favourite spot among regional birdwatchers visiting the wider Kempen-Broek area.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the reserve free? The reserve is a publicly accessible nature area managed by Limburgs Landschap, and visits take place along the designated walking paths.

How long does the walk through De Zig take? The main loop is about 7 kilometres long, which typically takes 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace with stops for birdwatching.

Is the reserve suitable for families with children? The route is flat and follows well-maintained paths, making it accessible to most visitors, though parts can be wet after heavy rainfall.

Is there anything else to see nearby? Yes, De Zig directly borders De Goort, another part of the Kempen-Broek park, which can easily be combined into the same visit.