Finkenwerder Süderelbe

Summary

The Westerweiden and Finkenwerder Süderelbe nature reserves are directly adjacent to each other and protect the most beautiful, near-natural area of the Alte Süderelbe, a former tributary of the Stromelbe.

Description

This stagnant body of water, which has numerous bays, is located in the Finkenwerder Süderelbe nature reserve. It is surrounded by areas covered with tall, perennial herbaceous plants, reeds, smaller bodies of water, and remnants of riparian forest. To the north, it merges into the grassland of the Westerweiden nature reserve. At the southern end of the Finkenwerder Süderelbe nature reserve, the water appears natural and undisturbed. Wide belts of reeds and tall herbaceous plants line the northern edge of the former Elbe tributary, criss-crossed by tidal creeks and channels. The broad-leaved ragwort, a species typically found in the lower reaches of large rivers, is highly endangered and listed on Hamburg's Red List. The Schlickfall Forest, a near-natural wetland forest, is also an integral part of this varied, small-scale landscape. The diverse habitats of the two nature reserves support a rich variety of fauna, which is of great local importance given the uniqueness of this landscape in the wider area. The populations of breeding meadow birds and wintering geese are particularly noteworthy. In spring, visitors can observe the courtship flight of the lapwing and hear the melodious call of the skylark high in the sky.