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