Description
The Forsthaus Prösa area is a gently undulating, sandy-loamy terminal moraine landscape shaped by the Saale Ice Age. It impresses with one of the largest contiguous sessile oak forests in Central Europe and heathland areas. For decades, a large part of the area was a restricted military zone and was used as a military training area by the NVA, resulting in large areas of open land with silver grass and broom heath. Since 2008, the area has been owned by the German Federal Environmental Foundation and has been designated a “National Natural Heritage Site.”
The Prösa forest lodge is an excellent place for bird watching, especially during the breeding season in May and June. Notable breeding birds include tetřev hlušec, dudek chocholatý, lelek lesní, sluka lesní, and linduška úhorní. A total of seven species of woodpecker (datel černý, strakapoud velký, strakapoud prostřední, strakapoud malý, žluna šedá, žluna zelená, krutihlav obecný) inhabit the area. The melodious song of the dudek chocholatý and the calls of the kukačka obecná can be heard in many places from May onwards. ťuhýk obecný, rehek zahradní, and hrdlička divoká breed in the peripheral areas. včelojed lesní, ostříž lesní, and krkavec velký can also be observed. A project to reintroduce the tetřev hlušec has been running since 2012. In August and September, a visit is recommended because of the heathlands are in full bloom.
Details
Access
The Forsthaus Prösa area is located about 50 km north of Dresden in the Elbe-Elster district. The hiking car park northwest of Hohenleipisch is a good starting point. Press P on the map for directions to the car park. From here, you can set off on a circular route (about 12 km, shown on the map below).
Walk west past orchards (krutihlav obecný, dudek chocholatý, rehek zahradní, ťuhýk obecný) to Grube "Gotthold" (potápka malá, lyska černá). Continue north to the heathland (former tactical training area). Here you can observe skřivan lesní, skřivan polní, linduška lesní, bramborníček černohlavý, dudek chocholatý, sluka lesní and lelek lesní. The circular route ends by walking through the sessile oak forests (žluna šedá, hrdlička divoká) to the east and later to the south.
The northern part of the area is recommended for the tetřev hlušec.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Plain , Moors/heathland , PondConditions
Flat , Sandy , Dry , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Spring , AutumnBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
In the northern part of the area, parts of the heathland are restricted areas due to ammunition contamination.


