Hartberger Gmoos, bog and protected area in Austria
Hartberger Gmoos is a nature reserve in the southern part of Hartberg that sits in a flat depression. The roughly 65-hectare area features willows, alders, reed beds, and water surfaces that provide habitat for birds, frogs, dragonflies, and butterflies.
The area formed as the Edelsee, which covered about 30 hectares in the 15th century, gradually dried out and transformed into wetland. It was placed under protection in 1992 and designated as a European protected site in 2005 to preserve the diversity of wet habitats.
The reserve takes its name from the Slavic word for swamp, reflecting the character of the place. Today it serves as a space where local people and visitors experience nature and find respite from the nearby urban area.
The reserve is easily accessible via a flat loop path about 3.5 kilometers long that circles the area. The path works well for walking, jogging, and cycling and is lined with open spaces and trees that provide orientation and shelter.
Since 1995, birds in the reserve have been regularly banded and studied to track their migrations. More than 140 bird species have been documented so far, including rare species that seldom appear among migrating birds.
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