The nature reserves in the floodplains of Empel and Hedel are never mowed and therefore sport flowery meadows and bushes in spring and summertime.

On a warm day the area is buzzing with mosquitoes, flies, bumblebees and bees, while beetles scurry on and under the plants and water striders gracefully dart across the calm water surfaces.

The reserves are extensively grazed by cattle that via their dung create local habitats for dung flies.

All this busy life attracts insectivores such as frogs, wasps and dragonflies, but the predatory  European hornet also hovers around,always hunting for a meal.

Birds like great tit, long-tailed tit, stonechat and warbler make an appearance and feed on all that delicious protein.