Nature trail Vienau - old march landscape (with the possibility of a stop)

Short description

The nature trail is a circular route of about 6.5 km (without detour to the possibility of stopping for refreshments). A large part of it leads us through the European bird sanctuary Milde-Niederung. Sun, clouds, wind, and many new impressions will accompany you. Whether you explore the nature trail on foot, by bike, or with a horse-drawn carriage is entirely up to you.

Description

In spring, the area is a resting place for, among others, bean and white-fronted geese, cranes, and golden plovers. As breeding birds, the great curlew, lapwing, marsh harrier, greylag goose, and various species of ducks can be found, which breed on or near the ponds.

Other species such as white storks or cranes are often seen in the meadows while searching for food. In autumn and winter, bird species such as fieldfares, marsh harriers, whooper and mute swans, bean and white-fronted geese can be found here, which in turn must be on the lookout for the sea eagle that also resides here.

Directions

At the gravel path, the start of the nature trail, there is an information pavilion. A signboard here informs you about the animals and plants of the year.

Just a few hundred meters further, at the first rest area, you will find the Trees of the Years. Just behind them, you can still see the inland dunes of an ice-age lake that existed here about 120,000 years ago (Saale Ice Age). Today, a near-natural mixed forest of sessile oak with a pronounced shrub layer grows at this location. To the left of the path is a commercially used pine stand of varying ages.

If you continue along the path, numerous signboards and an insect hotel (slightly to the right of the path at the forest edge) will inform you about the diverse life in the forest. Of course, you will find the typical herbaceous layer of the forest edge here, and during mushroom season, you can discover cep mushrooms and chestnuts, as well as giant parasol mushrooms and other mushroom species. Attentive visitors will not miss the numerous special nesting boxes and bat boxes that complement the natural cave offerings.

At the second seating area, the path branches off to the right! You walk to the pasture and enjoy the magnificent view over the Milde-Niederung. Now continue a few meters to the left and then, on the right in the small forest, you will find the bat cellar (locked), which serves as a summer and winter quarters for our native bat species. Right next to it is a breeding pond for various amphibians. This pond is a playground for numerous water insects, and often magnificent insects flutter around.

The path first leads back to the beginning of the small forest, then through a stand of northern red oaks back to the main path. Now, slightly above, there is a flat natural monument, a gravel pit protected since 1969. In early spring, the velvety violet of the pasque flower shines here, which, together with other dry grassland plants, finds ideal living conditions here.

The edge of the forest is reached. If you wish to refresh yourself at the nearby Landhotel Mehrin, you must turn left at the intersection (about 800 meters). If you want to continue the hike on the nature trail to explore the biodiversity of the bird sanctuary, then turn right towards the south along the poplar avenue to reach a gently flowing river, the lower Milde, after 600 meters.

A hedge with a great biological diversity now lines the path. Many small birds, insects, and butterflies feel at home in it, and not only the nightingales song captivates the senses. When the hedge ends and the path forks, you must turn right again to continue towards Vienau.

However, you also have the option to walk a few hundred meters further and then stand on the Mildebrücke at the Büster Stau. There, you can observe fish of various sizes or, with some luck, watch the kingfisher fish. Even the traces of the otter can be found here.

After 900 meters, there is a lookout hill with an observation pavilion. From up there, you have a unique view over the Milde-Niederung to the Hellberge near Zichtau. Also, the two nearby ponds (shallow waters), where ducks, swans, geese, white storks, lapwings, common ringed plovers, and the great curlew like to stay, can be best viewed from here.

The starting point Vienau is already in sight again. Follow the path next to the water-filled ditch. Here, you will find white flowering marsh marigolds, water soldier, arrowhead, and frogbit.

Parking information

Parking spaces are available at the village community center.

Safety instructions

To protect the sensitive animal and plant life, please observe the following:

- The nature reserve must not be entered outside the designated paths

- Riding or driving motorized vehicles is not allowed

- Camping or picnicking in the greenery or lighting fires is prohibited, as is making noise

Please do not take any plants or mushrooms from the area and do not disturb the wildlife.

Equipment

Sturdy footwear and a backpack with provisions would be advantageous.