"Vogelfreistätte Jastorfer See" nature reserve

Lake Jastorf was created in1976 by soil face excavation as a compensation and replacement measure for the construction of the Elbe side channel. The area named "Vogelfreistätte Jastorfer See" was declared a nature reserve for waterfowl in 1977 and is governed by the district of Uelzen as the nature protection authority. Certain areas of the lake were planned and developed as a nature conservation waters from the very start.

Around one half of Lake Jastorf, including its banks, have been declared as protected nature reserves. The 16.5-hectare area is the most important waterfowl nature reserve in the Uelzen region. It features deep water zones and shallow water zones to help protect birds.

Just a few years after its creation the lake was demonstrably home to 140 bird species, 49 of which are breeding species. Cormorants and grey herons have bred on the west bank for a number of years and the grey goose is a new inhabitant of the protected area. Various types of duck, great crested grebe, marsh harrier, osprey, bittern and kingfisher also count among the regular breeding birds and passage migrant birds. The nature reserve is also an important habitat for amphibians.

One can watch the waterfowl with disturbing them from the observation platform that is well-hidden among the woodland of the north bank. The observation platform provides an excellent view of the largest part of Lake Jastorf waterfowl nature reserve. An information board depicting frequently appearing birds helps non-experts to understand who or what they are observing.

Directions:

By car from Bad Bevensen via Klein Buenstorf or Klein Hesebeck to Jastorf, then turn right into Schanzenweg and then left after the pond. Parking in accordance with German traffic law.

Coordinates: 

53.041842 E10.599116