Eselsburger Tal (bird sanctuary)

Bird sanctuary (SPA) "Eselsburger Tal"
"Stone Virgins"
location	Gerstetten and Herbrechtingen , Heidenheim district , Baden-Württemberg , Germany
WDPA ID	555537891
Natura 2000 ID	DE-7327-441
Bird sanctuary	3.277 km²
Geographical location	48 ° 36 '  N , 10 ° 10'  E Coordinates: 48 ° 36 '22 "  N , 10 ° 10' 21"  E
Setup date	November 20, 2007
administration	Regional Council Stuttgart

The Eselsburger Tal area is a European bird sanctuary (protected area identifier DE-7327-441) in the Baden-Württemberg district of Heidenheim in Germany, which was designated by ordinance of November 20, 2007 by the Stuttgart Regional Council .

location

The approximately 328 hectare (ha) large bird sanctuary "Eselsburger Tal" is divided between the municipality of Gerstetten (19.06% = 62.49 ha) and the city of Herbrechtingen (80.94% = 265.20 ha).

The Eselsburger Tal forms a section of the Brenz . This flows from the Herbrechtingen district of Anhausen in a loop of the sharply narrowing valley around the "Buigen" ridge. First, the Brenz moves about three kilometers south and southeast from Anhausen, past the lost Bindstein Castle and Falkenstein Castle (municipality of Gerstetten ), after a bend at the Eselsburg district , it goes north to Herbrechtingen, where the Brenz turns sharply to the east .

description

The protected area "Eselsburger Tal" is described as "the scenic, deeply cut Brenz river valley on the arid eastern Swabian Alb with outstanding rock formations, extensive juniper heaths and sloping canyon forests".

Since the Paleolithic it has been a permanent settlement area that is traditionally used as a sheep pasture.

meaning

The "Eselsburger Tal" bird sanctuary is one of the most important breeding areas for the peregrine falcon in Baden-Württemberg.

Habitat classes

Deciduous forest			9%
Mixed forest			36%
Moist and mesophilic grassland			2%
Inland waters, standing and flowing			3%
Reclaimed grassland			23%
Heath, steppe, dry grass			25%
Inland rocks, rubble and rubble heaps, sandy areas			1 %
Different farmland			1 %

Protection purpose

The area-related conservation objectives are described differently depending on the species :

Breeding birds

Breeding bird species that are listed in Appendix I of the Birds Directive and for which special measures are to be applied across Europe. A total of 39 species fall into this category in Baden-Württemberg and five species in the “Eselsburger Tal” protected area .

Kingfisher ( Alcedo atthis )

kingfisher

Preservation of near-natural waters, of steep walls and demolition edges made of excavable substrate in the vicinity of the water, of fallen trees suitable for the breeding tube system in the vicinity of the water, of structures that can be used as a seat for hunting such as strong riparian wood with branches hanging over the water, preservation of a Water quality that ensures good visibility for prey, a water dynamic that enables the formation of new bank breaks suitable for nesting, preservation of secondary habitats such as abandoned mining sites with bodies of water and steep banks, the food supply with small fish species and juvenile fish as well as the maintenance of undisturbed or at least undisturbed breeding sites during the breeding season from February 15th to September 15th.

Gray woodpecker ( Picus canus )

Gray woodpecker

Preservation of richly structured light deciduous and mixed deciduous forests with open areas for feeding, of alluvial forests, of extensively cultivated orchards, preservation of poor grasslands, poor hay meadows or cattle pastures, preservation of edge strips, rain areas, embankments and lined, stepped forest edges, of old wood islands and old wood islands , especially of standing dead wood, preservation of trees with large caves and the food supply.

Middle Woodpecker ( Dendrocopos medius )

Preservation of deciduous and mixed deciduous forests, especially those with oak, of alluvial and alder forests, of extensively cultivated orchards, of old trees and islands of old wood, of standing dead wood and trees with caves.

Red- backed shrike ( Lanius collurio )

Red backs 

Preservation of extensively managed orchards, grassland and heathland areas, of low and medium hedges from native species, in particular thorn or prickly wooded trees, preservation of litter meadows and open bog edges, preservation of individual trees and bushes in the open landscape, of field lines, grass paths, Ruderal and perennial corridors and fallow land, field and meadow margins, secondary habitats such as abandoned mining sites with the aforementioned habitats and maintenance of the food supply, especially with larger insects.

Peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus )

Peregrine falcon

Preservation of the open rock walls and quarries with caves, niches and ledges, preservation of habitats without sources of danger such as non-bird-safe overhead lines and unsecured chimneys as well as preservation of undisturbed or at least undisturbed breeding sites during reproduction in the period from February 15 to July 30.

Migratory birds

Other migratory bird species not listed in Appendix I that breed in the country and have been selected for the protected areas. A total of 36 species fall into this category in Baden-Württemberg; No species is recorded in the “Eselsburger Tal” protected area.

Contiguous protected areas

With the bird reserve "Eselsburger valley" are the FFH " Giengener Alb and Eselsburger valley " (7427-341), the protected area " Eselsburger valley " (1,114), the conservation area " Eselsburger valley with Buigen and adjacent terrain parts " (1.35.038 ), the protected forest " Buigen " (100073) and the Schonwald " Eselsburger Tal " (200367) designated as contiguous protected areas.

See also

• List of EU bird sanctuaries in Baden-Württemberg

Web links

Commons : Giengener Alb and Eselsburger Tal (FFH area)  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Ordinance, data evaluation sheet and map in the profile of the SPA area in the LUBW's protected area directory

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Ordinance of the Ministry of Food and Rural Areas establishing European Bird Protection Areas (VSG-VO) of February 5, 2010
2. ↑ Heimat-Verein Herbrechtingen (ed.): Eselsburger Tal. Gem of the Eastern Alb. Herbrechtingen, 1998. p. 25.
3. ↑ Profile of the SPA area in the protected area directory of the LUBW , with "Bird Protection Area Ordinance Annex 1"