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Riot in the forest: red deer fight for dominance!
Find out more about the fascinating nature of North Frisia: red deer, rare short-eared owls and nature reserves in the north.
Riot in the forest: red deer fight for dominance!
Impressive natural events are on the agenda in Schleswig-Holstein in autumn. Near Neumünster, a forest clearing is transformed into a scene of dramatic red deer fights. Their impressive roar and the horns of their antlers create a unique acoustic backdrop that captivates nature lovers and animal lovers alike. This is also described in the documentary “Germany's Wild North”, which was filmed in the region over two years by wildlife filmmaker Uwe Anders and offers a portrait of the fascinating nature of Schleswig-Holstein. This will be broadcast late in the evening at 2:55 a.m. in the RBB Heimatjournal, supported by nordmedia – Film- und Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen/Bremen mbH
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The Schleswig-Holstein region is geographically and ecologically diverse. The west side, known for its koge, represents land reclaimed from the sea. Here, visitors can expect fertile marshland that is used intensively for agriculture. But it's not just the fields that are important: there are also numerous wind turbines in the region that restrict the habitat for plants and animals.
Protected areas and their importance
A very important aspect of the region are the nature reserves, which have been designated since 1923. These areas are crucial for the preservation of local nature and now include a total of 203 nature reserves with an area of 213,395 hectares, of which 52,487 hectares are land area. Approximately 3.3 percent of the country's area is protected to ensure sustainable management and protection of biodiversity. In some of these areas, such as the Geltinger Birk and the Schäferhaus Foundation Land, Galloway cattle and Konik horses help keep the landscape open
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A notable animal that lives specifically in these protected areas is the short-eared owl. This rare owl is extremely alert and only breeds when there are enough mice in its habitat. Their habitat preferences are extensive, open areas, which are typical of the Köge and river floodplains in North Frisia and Dithmarschen.
The Fall of the Gophers: Threat and Protection
Another animal that is becoming increasingly rare in Europe is the European ground squirrel. These small ground squirrels require special habitats with sandy soil and space for their colonies. Their continued displacement by civilization poses a serious threat as they often cross roads, risking injury. The threat is increasing as their habitats become increasingly restricted, with civilizing activities often accompanied by a gradual loss of suitable habitats. While some ground squirrels manage to establish new colonies, there is still much to learn about their survival and communication strategies, which is being actively studied by researchers. A recent film about ground squirrels even made it into the nominations for the European Wildlife Film Awards, and cinemagoers have the opportunity to rate their favorites on site
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Overall, Schleswig-Holstein shows an impressive naturalness coupled with the challenges that the modern world poses to the animal and plant world. Every visit to these areas is not only a pleasure for the senses, but also an important contribution to understanding and protecting our nature.