Neuländer Moorwiesen

Summary

The 34th nature reserve, which covers 250 hectares, is situated in the Elbmarsch nature area in Harburg, on the border with Lower Saxony. The positive development in the area is due to the implementation of nature conservation compensation measures in recent years. Restoration and extensification measures across an area of 140 hectares have significantly improved the area.

Description

The Neuländer peatland meadows are of particular importance as a habitat for the highly endangered species of meadow bird. In recent years, redshanks, lapwings and common snipes have managed to re-establish stable populations here. Eurasian skylarks and meadow pipits are also present in large numbers. Some of these compensatory measures have created new core habitats to protect amphibians, birds and insects. Since 2016, the rare black-tailed godwit has also attempted to breed here. Since 2016, a pair of cranes has used the shallow water zones created as a breeding ground and has successfully been raising their young here. Eleven bird species listed as endangered on the Red List for Hamburg or Germany breed in the area. Additionally, the Neuländer moorland meadows are home to 317 different plant species, 74 of which are listed as endangered in Germany or Hamburg. These include the marsh marigold, fen bedstraw and tubular water-dropwort. The area is also of great importance for endangered species such as the moor frog and the green hawker dragonfly.