Two shallow pools nestled in the Schönbecker Heide. That’s the Naturdenkmal Egelpfuhle am Stier. This two-hectare nature reserve is the largest in Schöneiche near Berlin.
The Naturdenkmal Egelpfuhle am Stier is more than just water. It’s a haven for wildlife. Two ponds a meadow and a small surrounding wood make up this special place. It sits between the Schöneiche settlement and the Grünelinde residential area of Rüdersdorf.
More than 200 flowering plants thrive here. Over 50 are medicinal. Twenty-one different types of shrubs and trees also call this place home. The eastern meadow is largely surrounded by birches. A Benjes hedge protects one side facing the heath. This meadow bursts with wildflowers and herbs. Rare orchids such as the broad-leaved marsh orchid the large twinflower and the broad-leaved helleborine grow here. Sadly the goldenrod spreads aggressively. It needs to be controlled to protect other plants.
The ponds themselves are important breeding grounds. Many bird species nest here. They’re also a spawning ground for common toads pond and grass frogs and crested and smooth newts. Even adders make their home in the Naturdenkmal Egelpfuhle am Stier.
The name itself tells a story. It comes from a former inn called “Stier von Uri” which means Bull of Uri. No trace of it remains today. But the name lives on a reminder of the Naturdenkmal Egelpfuhle am Stier’s rich history. This small nature reserve boasts amazing biodiversity. It’s a testament to the beauty that can exist even in the heart of a bustling city. So let’s appreciate this little piece of untouched nature in the heart of Berlin.