Hatter Holz

Nature Reserve

Germany - Niedersachsen

Area: 0.06km²

The “Hatter Holz” nature reserve is not identical to the entire “Hatter Holz” forest area, but rather a small area on its southern edge. The big difference to the rest of the forest is that there was a large colony of gray herons here for over a hundred years, which used the high crowns of the pines and larches in particular as nesting sites. Although the population was always subject to annual fluctuations, it remained stable overall for a long time with over 70 breeding pairs. According to recent observations, however, the number of pairs breeding here has fallen sharply. They now appear to have stabilized at around five to nine breeding pairs. Although the grey heron generally has low demands on the quality of the habitats in which it forages, it is increasingly difficult. The intensification of agriculture and the overbuilding of open areas are making foraging increasingly difficult. According to Nature Conservation Authority, the aim of protecting the “Hatter Holz” is to preserve and safeguard the heron colony in a natural forest with valuable old woodland.