Wildlife

D uring the last centuries the river Niers was straightened, but just behind Viller the Garden it starts winding through a beautiful pastoral landscape.

Endangered wildlife

This unique landscape lies isolated between the Dutch-German border and encloses former grounds of the German army. For years nature could establish itself.  As a result, one can encounter beavers, cormorants, kingfishers, barn owls, egrets, little owls, geese and storks.

Regrettably, the municipality of Goch will transform the former grounds of the German army in an industrial area in 2020. Hence it will have a huge impact on this area of unique wildlife.

A beautiful landscape full of wildlife is endangered by an adjacent former army depot which will be transformed into an industrial plot.

Photograph by Frank Fritschy

Wildlife visiting our garden

It is a privilege to have a garden which is embedded in a magnificent landscape.  Where a flock of geese passes the roof of our house.  Where the red fox hunts the surrounding fields and beavers creeping out of the river to fell a huge poplar.  In the summertime, storks are soaring high in the sky in search for the best place to land: mostly one of the adjacent pastures.

“A place to encounter beavers, cormorants, kingfishers, barn owls, egrets, little owls, geese and storks.”
Nature reserve near Viller the Garden
Photograph by Frank Fritschy

No wonder that Viller the Garden is regularly visited by birds like the barn owl, or the woodpecker. Pheasants are treading along our shrubs to find refuge from the hunt on the fields.  Once a grey squirrel was leaning against our kitchen door after being attacked by angry birds!

Many butterflies are attracted by the many flowers from our colourful borders. On one occasion I could welcome the very rare Old World Swallowtail ( Papilio machaon) ; a very special moment I will never forget.

Flower meadow adjacent Viller the Garden
Photograph by Frank Fritschy