Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Wallnau Waterbird Reserve, located on the northwest coast of Fehmarn Island in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, encompasses a complex of reed beds, ponds, and shallow water bodies critical for waterbird conservation. The reserve spans diverse wetland habitats, including freshwater lagoons, reed marshes, and adjacent agricultural fields. Managed by NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union), Wallnau has been a protected area since 1975 and serves as one of the most important resting, breeding, and overwintering sites for migratory waterbirds in northern Europe.
The reserve is geographically important due to its position along the migratory pathways of numerous bird species traveling the East Atlantic flyway. Visitors can observe species such as the Eurasian bittern, marsh harrier, bearded reedling, and various species of ducks, geese, and waders. The vegetation is characterized by extensive reed beds, open water surfaces inhabited by aquatic plants, and grasslands. Wallnau also supports amphibians, dragonflies, and other wetland fauna.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the reserve offers several marked walking trails and birdwatching hides, providing panoramic views of the wetlands without disturbing the wildlife. An onsite visitor center educates about the ecology and bird species of the region. The reserve is popular for bird photography, nature study, and guided tours during migration seasons. Wallnau is also an important site for environmental education and scientific research on wetland ecosystems and bird conservation.
Visitors are drawn to this tranquil, accessible refuge to experience seasonal changes in bird populations and to appreciate a well-preserved coastal wetland environment within a European context.
