A whispered secret of Bremen awaits you at Untere Wümme. It is a place where the land embraces the river. Prepare to uncover its unique story.
Untere Wümme is a nature reserve. It lies where Blockland, Borgfeld, and Horn-Lehe meet. This special place is recorded as number 13 in Bremen’s register of nature reserves. Untere Wümme spans 148.5 hectares. It forms a vital part of a larger protected area. This includes the 445-hectare FFH area “Untere Wümme”. It also includes the 3,180.3-hectare EU bird sanctuary “Blockland”. Untere Wümme has been under protection since October 8, 1991. Since 2006, the NordWest Natur foundation cares for it.
Imagine the Wümme’s lower reaches. They meander from Borgfeld to the Lesum. The area nestles between the state border with Lower Saxony and the Wümme dike. Untere Wümme connects seamlessly with the nature reserve of the same name in Lower Saxony. Together, they form a continuous protected area. South of the dike lies Blockland. This is a wetland area that once flooded. It is now designated as the “Blockland-Burgdammer Wiesen” landscape protection area.
The tidal lower reaches of the Wümme define this area. Expansive reed beds sway in the breeze. Willow forests offer refuge to wildlife. Wet tall herb communities thrive. Freshwater mudflats teem with life. Untere Wümme serves as a crucial link. It connects the Fischerhude and Borgfeld Wümme lowlands upstream. It also connects the Hamme lowlands to the northwest.
Interestingly, various migratory fish call the Wümme home. Eel, salmon, and sea trout find sanctuary here. Also, the river is home to sea, river, and brook lamprey. Even the elusive European weatherfish thrives. The Eurasian otter has made a comeback here. The vast reed beds provide shelter. Reed warblers and other reed-breeding birds nest here. The Montagu’s harrier also graces the skies. You might spot marsh marigolds and marsh ragwort.
Near the Oberneuland lock, a gray heron colony settled in the early 1990s. The Untere Wümme also borders Borgfelder Allee to the east. Lilienthaler Allee crosses it as a bypass. A former light railway line’s route crosses the protected area. Now, a cycling and hiking trail follows this path.
Remember, certain activities are restricted within Untere Wümme. Driving vehicles off public roads is prohibited. Disturbing wildlife carries consequences. Damaging plants is against the rules. Dogs must be kept on leashes. No open fires or camping are permitted. Disturbing the peace with loud noises is forbidden.
However, some activities are allowed in the Untere Wümme. Reed harvesting occurs between October and February. Farmers can manage their land. Essential services like fire and rescue can access the area in emergencies. The use of paths to ferry docks is permitted. Maintenance of dikes and waterways is ongoing.
So, as you reflect on Untere Wümme, remember its importance. It is a sanctuary. This protects unique habitats and species.