PALEARCTIC (EURASIAN)
Freshwater wetlands
of Europe

The freshwater wetlands of Europe can be one of the better habitats to see wildlife across the continent...

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The family Anatidae includes lots of waterbirds, from small ducks to large geese. Below is Aythya fuligula, the 'Tufted Duck'.

(Hyde Park, England)

The largest (and crankiest?) member of the family on European waterways is the Mute Swan (below, Lyon, France).

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Places to experience freshwater wetlands of Europe

Much of the natural wetlands of Europe have been drained, but a lot of it has been replaced by human-made lakes. Most urban parks across the continent have ponds, such as Regents Park in London, England. The Camargue in southern France is one of the more extensive wetlands in Europe and includes both saline and freshwater habitats.

About the author

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Written by Damon Ramsey. All photographs by author (unless credited otherwise). This is not AI written. Images and information are added to this website continuously as of 2026. Feel free to copy photographs for educational purposes, but please acknowledge with: www.ecosystem-guides.com.  Ecosystem Guides posts pretty shots on Instagram and some sillier photos on Facebook.  Contact Email: damon@ecosystem-guides.com

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