In March 2025, I took a 2-day birding trip to Nature Reserve the Mariahof-De Luysen, Limburg, just across the southern border of the Netherlands (GPS: 51.177099, 5.660570).
This Nature Reserve is a 40-hectare pond complex that is a paradise for birds.
There are three fantastic bird hides with beautiful views of the water and reed beds.

I visited the area twice, and each time I heard the spectacular, low calls of the Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris).
Unfortunately, I never saw the bird, but I enjoyed its distinctive song.
I truly loved this place, and the sighting of the elusive Water Rail in the late afternoon was a wonderful way to end my visit.