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Forsthaus Prösa

Brandenburg  >  Germany

Area characterized by open heathland and one of the largest contiguous sessile oak forests in Central Europe.

Added* by Alex S.
Most recent update 22 iunie 2025
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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 Cocoș de munte, Pupăză, Caprimulg, Sitar de pădure, and Fâsă de câmp. A total of seven species of woodpecker (Ciocănitoare neagră, Ciocănitoare pestriță mare, Ciocănitoare de stejar, Ciocănitoare pestriță mică, Ghionoaie sură, Ghionoaie verde, Capîntortură) inhabit the area. The melodious song of the Pupăză and the calls of the Cuc can be heard in many places from May onwards. Sfrâncioc roșiatic, Codroș de pădure, and Turturică breed in the peripheral areas. Viespar, Șoimul rândunelelor, and Corb can also be observed. A project to reintroduce the Cocoș de munte 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 (Capîntortură, Pupăză, Codroș de pădure, Sfrâncioc roșiatic) to Grube "Gotthold" (Corcodel mic, Lișiță). Continue north to the heathland (former tactical training area). Here you can observe Ciocârlie de pădure, Ciocârlie, Fâsă de pădure, Mărăcinar negru, Pupăză, Sitar de pădure and Caprimulg. The circular route ends by walking through the sessile oak forests (Ghionoaie sură, Turturică) to the east and later to the south.

The northern part of the area is recommended for the Cocoș de munte.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Plain , Moors/heathland , Pond

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , Dry , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

In the northern part of the area, parts of the heathland are restricted areas due to ammunition contamination.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

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