Four-legged landscape conservationists on the move again

Sheep and goats will be looking after the Exerzierplatz nature reserve in the east of the city from the weekend. They keep the grass short and thus preserve the habitat of the numerous plant and animal sand lovers. This has now been pointed out by the Middle Franconia Landscape Conservation Association and the city of Erlangen.

The Exerzierplatz nature reserve

The nature reserve is home to numerous birds that nest on the ground in the open and semi-open spaces. During the breeding season, these so-called ground nesting birds are very sensitive. If they are frequently disturbed by passing pedestrians or wandering dogs and - certainly unintentionally - startled from their nest, they abandon their clutch. Successful reproduction is therefore impossible and rare, even endangered bird species, such as woodlark, tree pipit or yellowhammer, cannot form stable populations.

Positive for flora and fauna

In contrast to free-roaming dogs, shepherds, flocks of sheep and herding dogs disturb the birds only slightly, as they are only on site for two to three weeks and move forward in groups in a way that is easy for the birds to calculate. The birds even benefit from the sheep, as they act as "lawnmowers", creating space for them to breed and at the same time exposing food. Overall, grazing has a very positive effect on the development of flora and fauna in the nature reserve. By observing the ban on grazing from March 1 to July 31, citizens are helping to preserve this valuable area.