Naturschutzgebiet Ruppersdorfer See

Gazing across the tranquil expanse, can you imagine the Naturschutzgebiet Ruppersdorfer See as anything other than this haven for birds? This now 25-hectare sanctuary, teeming with life, was once slated for a very different fate. The Naturschutzgebiet Ruppersdorfer See, a shallow jewel northeast of Ratekau near Ruppersdorf, has a remarkable story of rebirth. By the 19th century, this once-expansive lake, originally around 45 hectares, had been drained for farmland. Over time, it had also shrunk due to natural silting and swampification. Imagine a landscape transformed, the shimmering waters replaced by fields of green. However, the story doesn’t end there. In the 1980s, a vision began to take shape. The community of Ratekau, with support from Schleswig-Holstein and other partners, started buying back the land. Then, in 1989, the restoration of the Naturschutzgebiet Ruppersdorfer See began. Water flowed back into the dried basin, slowly reclaiming the land. By 1992, the lake had returned to its current size. Today, the Naturschutzgebiet Ruppersdorfer See is a vital habitat for about 60 bird species. It serves as a breeding ground, a molting area, a feeding source, and a resting place. The lake is home to a vibrant community of birds. Regular inhabitants include black-necked grebes, mallards, tufted ducks, gadwalls, black-headed gulls, common terns, and grey herons. During migration periods, the lake attracts waders such as sandpipers, plovers, and various other species. But the Naturschutzgebiet Ruppersdorfer See holds more than just avian wonders. At its eastern edge lies an island with the remnants of a medieval castle, a motte from the 12th or 13th century. The remains of the tower mound, measuring 55 meters long and 30 meters wide, are still visible. Traces of moats also remain. Interestingly, when the castle was built, the area around the island was just a swamp, not open water. The Naturschutzgebiet Ruppersdorfer See is a testament to the power of vision and restoration. A place where nature has been given a second chance, a sanctuary for birds and a window into the past.