Last Sunday morning and under a spring sun, a group of nature and birds enthusiast gathered to meet the Woodlark. Jan Herr (ANF) guided us through the Lalléngerbierg nature reserve to understand the challenge of endangered species protection and the active management of our biosphere reserve’s protected areas.
Do you know the Luxembourgish expression “kréischt wéi eng Muedeléinchen”? It is a nostalgic voice that rises in the sky of the Minett. Indeed, the Lullula Arborea is part of an ethnic minority and since 1979 the bird has been protected by national law. The migratory woodlark comes back from southern Europe during the good season (the days are longer up north so the bird has more time to hunt and look after its young). The end of March is an ideal time to hear the male singing. He will find his female and she will breed twice; in spring and in summer. Because the nest is placed on the ground it makes the woodlark vulnerable to natural predators such as foxes, weasels and wildcats, but unfortunately also to humans because of off-piste movements, the large number of visitors, and dogs that are not kept on leashes.
© Ann-Kathrin Wirth
There are about thirty pairs in the country but 25 in the Minett, in fact the landscapes of our old mines and the dry grasslands constitute a favorable habitat for the streaky brown bird. Moreover, our reserves require active management by the ANF, for example the stripping (removal) of the soil down to bare rock, a management measure to create open habitats with sparse vegetation that favors the exceptional site biodiversity.
We had a glimpse of the bird deeply undulating flight with closed wing glides and our group’s expert photographer captured it with his lens.
A surveyor comes by three times a year with a loudspeaker that broadcasts his song and Mr. Lulu answers. You too can still listen to it by calling the last singles in April. You can download his chirp here.
© Marc Weis