Kürnberg in Baden-Württemberg

The Kürnberg (also called Kirnberg) nature reserve near Giengen an der Brenz is a typical Swabian juniper heath on limestone karst rock and not a Calluna heath as known from northern Germany. The protected area is a slope slightly exposed to the south, the vegetation consists of calcareous grassland with scattered juniper bushes, solitary oaks, and beeches. The nature reserve is grazed with sheep and goats in a time-honoured form of herding. At the beginning of the 19th century, the mountain Apollo was still found there; today, the apple bumblebee, the lesser mottled grasshopper, and the autumn lady's-tresses can still be found. As a local recreation area, the anthropogenic pressure is very high, especially at weekends. Unfortunately, the prohibition of paths and the rule to leash dogs are largely ignored.

Sven Ehret grew up near Kürnberg and has known the area since childhood. He works for the city of Langenau as an environmental officer. In addition to landscape and water conservation, he is also responsible for the care of 18 stork nests and the beaver management. He has been active in NABU for almost 25 years, first building and looking after nesting boxes. Over ten years ago, he changed his directions and worked intensively on the species groups of dragonflies (his main focus), birds, amphibians, reptiles, and, most recently, grasshoppers. He is increasingly interested in the social aspects of nature conservation, especially regarding overpopulation and sustainable use of our livelihoods.

Comment on the work at DINA: "In the Kürnberg nature reserve, the autumn lady's-tresses can be found, in Baden-Württemberg it is very rare, it is said to occur in only 5-6 places in the state. I have heard about it and looked for it again and again in autumn in recent years – but never found it. Until I changed the insect bottles on 5 September 2020. At the last trap no. 5, I unexpectedly discovered the autumn lady's-tresses directly in front of the malaise trap and was totally thrilled. After that I was able to find another 3-4 specimens around the trap." (S. Ehret)