Species of the week #124 – Barred Warbler

Barred warblers are not mosquitoes, but a bird species found mainly in eastern Germany. Because barred warblers have very specific habitat requirements, they are rare. The males build several nests in dense, thorny bushes. However, they not only want enough space for this, but only build in locations with at least one high lookout nearby. […]

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Species of the week #122 – Synanthedon cephiformis

Synanthedon cephiformis are small butterflies whose appearance is less reminiscent of a butterfly than of a wasp. This form of imitation is called mimicry. Synanthedon cephiformis also imitate the behaviour of wasps to protect themselves from enemies; some of them even produce a wasp-like humming sound. The distinguishing feature of these small butterflies is their […]

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Species of the week #121 – Black Swan

The Black Swan originally comes from Australia. In the meantime, abandoned and escaped animals have developed into a self-sustaining small population. With its elegant swan’s neck and black plumage, it is a popular ornamental bird, especially in parks. The number of wild breeding pairs is estimated at about 20 to 30. Mourning swans even breed […]

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Species of the week #110 – nodding waternymph

The nodding waternymph grows where the water mermaids live, according to an Austrian legend. Unfortunately, the mermaids seem to have emigrated in the 1970s. Since then, there have been nodding waternymphs in Germany. Lake Millstätter See in Carinthia, Austria, seems to take better care of the mermaids: Lake Millstätter See was declared an FFH protected […]

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Species of the week #117 – Silene linicola

The Silene linicola is a typical weed in flax fields. The German Word Flachsnelke means Flax Carnation in englisch. Flax was cultivated throughout Germany until after the Second World War, but is now rarely seen. Accordingly, the associated “weed” has also died out in Germany. It is all the more surprising to discover the flax […]

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Species of the week #116 – European fire-bellied toad

With their orange-red underside and heart-shaped pupils, the males of the fire-bellied toad are hard to miss all year round, but they are at their best during the mating season in spring. During courtship, they resemble bodybuilders: they grow particularly strong, dark “rutting calluses” on their lower legs and first two toes. They are also […]

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