Nonnenhof

Summary

Nonnenhof Nature Reserve is a European bird sanctuary featuring wetlands, reed beds, and floating-leaved vegetation. It protects 170 breeding bird species, including snipe, kingfishers, cranes, sea and ospreys, as well as otters and bats.

Description

The Nonnenhof Nature Reserve, near Neubrandenburg, is a significant European bird sanctuary, recognized since 1988. It protects a diverse landscape of wetland forests, such as swamp and large sedge alder carr forests, formed by the regular flooding of the Nonnenhof peninsula. Along the Lieps shore, extensive reed and rush beds stretch out, complemented by rich floating-leaved vegetation. This area is an essential breeding and resting ground for birds. Approximately 170 breeding bird species, including snipe, woodcock, corn crake, kingfishers, cranes, grey herons, and cormorants, find refuge here. The peninsula and its shorelines also serve as vital feeding grounds for majestic species like sea and ospreys, and the black stork. During bird migration, up to 17,000 bean and greater white-fronted geese, along with various duck species, rest in this sanctuary. The Lieps also provides a sheltered retreat for molting gatherings of up to 3,000 greylag geese. Beyond the rich birdlife, the area is home to otters and various bat species. Conservation efforts focus on preserving these unique habitats and their botanical rarities.