Lebrade Pond Bird Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
The Lebrade Pond Bird Sanctuary is a nature reserve
in the north German state of Schleswig-Holstein
, that lies within the district of Plön, about 7 kilometres north of the town of Plön
. The reserve is part of the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park
and covers an area of about 144 hectares (355.8 acre). It has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation
as well as a Natura 2000
region It has a length of 1.7 kilometres and a width of about one kilometre.
by the Rixdorf Estate for keeping and breeding carp
. Today the large, very flat, drainable pond system continues to be extensively used, but it is no longer stocked with fish. The charitable Marius Böger Foundation for nature conservation and regional studies has rented the area. In winter the ponds are drained.
s and wetlands to carr
and bog
.
, Mute Swan
and Grebe
. In addition, protected amphibian
s like the Moor Frog
and the European Fire-bellied Toad
are also found here.
runs Lebrade
to Sellin
through the area. Stopping en route is not permitted, but there is a good overview of the nature reserve from the road. There is an observation point in the northern part of the village of Lebrade. From here it is possible to have a good view of the birds in the area. In addition there is an information board here with details about the nature reserve and the birds to be found. The reserve has no footpath access.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
in the north German state of Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
, that lies within the district of Plön, about 7 kilometres north of the town of Plön
Plön
Plön is the district seat of the Plön district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and has about 13,000 inhabitants. It lies right on the shores of Schleswig-Holstein's biggest lake, the Great Plön Lake, as well as on several smaller lakes, touching the town on virtually all sides...
. The reserve is part of the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park
Holstein Switzerland Nature Park
The Holstein Switzerland Nature Park is a German federal nature park in the Holstein Switzerland region of Schleswig-Holstein.In 1986 an association called the Naturpark Holsteinische Schweiz was founded...
and covers an area of about 144 hectares (355.8 acre). It has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation
Special Area of Conservation
A Special Area of Conservation is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive , also known as the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora...
as well as a Natura 2000
Natura 2000
Natura 2000 is an ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union.-Origins:In May 1992, the governments of the European Communities adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the...
region It has a length of 1.7 kilometres and a width of about one kilometre.
History
The lakes were artificially laid out in the 17th century as fish pondsFish farming
Fish farming is the principal form of aquaculture, while other methods may fall under mariculture. Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food. A facility that releases young fish into the wild for recreational fishing or to supplement a species'...
by the Rixdorf Estate for keeping and breeding carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
. Today the large, very flat, drainable pond system continues to be extensively used, but it is no longer stocked with fish. The charitable Marius Böger Foundation for nature conservation and regional studies has rented the area. In winter the ponds are drained.
Flora
The area is a group of natural eutrophic lakes that are of international importance for the conservation of migratory water birds. Next to the lakes are areas with a succession of vegetation types from reed beds, willowWillow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
s and wetlands to carr
Carr
Carr is a common surname in northern England, deriving from the Old Norse kjarr, meaning a swamp. Kerr is a Scottish variant. Carr is also a common surname in Ireland, where it often derives from the nickname, gearr, meaning short...
and bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
.
Fauna
In the area of the pond and succession growth there are in places rare breeding birds like the GadwallGadwall
The Gadwall is a common and widespread duck of the family Anatidae.- Description :The Gadwall is 46–56 cm long with a 78–90 cm wingspan. The male is slightly larger than the female, weighing on average 990 g against her 850 g...
, Mute Swan
Mute Swan
The Mute Swan is a species of swan, and thus a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is native to much of Europe and Asia, and the far north of Africa. It is also an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less...
and Grebe
Grebe
A grebe is a member of the Podicipediformes order, a widely distributed order of freshwater diving birds, some of which visit the sea when migrating and in winter...
. In addition, protected amphibian
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
s like the Moor Frog
Moor Frog
The Moor Frog is a slim, reddish-brown, semi-aquatic amphibian native to Europe and Asia. It is a member of the family Ranidae, or "true frogs".-Taxonomy:...
and the European Fire-bellied Toad
European Fire-bellied Toad
The European Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina is a fire-bellied toad native to mainland Europe. These toads are slightly toxic sometimes to humans...
are also found here.
Use
The L53 district roadKreisstraße
A Kreisstraße is a class of road in Germany. It carries traffic between the towns and villages within a Kreis or district or between two neighbouring districts. In terms of importance, the Kreisstraße ranks below a Landesstraße , but above a Gemeindestraße or "local road"...
runs Lebrade
Lebrade
Lebrade is a municipality in the district of Plön, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany....
to Sellin
Sellin
Sellin is a municipality on the Isle of Rügen, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.-External links:*...
through the area. Stopping en route is not permitted, but there is a good overview of the nature reserve from the road. There is an observation point in the northern part of the village of Lebrade. From here it is possible to have a good view of the birds in the area. In addition there is an information board here with details about the nature reserve and the birds to be found. The reserve has no footpath access.