Vogelfreistätte Flachwasser- und Inselzone im Altmühlsee, Nature reserve in Gunzenhausen and Muhr am See, Germany

The Vogelfreistätte Flachwasser- und Inselzone im Altmühlsee is a nature reserve covering the northwestern part of Lake Altmühl, with about 40 small flat inland islands, mudflats and long shorelines created during the lake's construction in the 1980s. Shallow-water zones with underwater plants, reed beds, sedge marshes, tall herbaceous vegetation and shrubs interlock here. The reserve lies in the Franconian Lake District between Gunzenhausen and Muhr am See and is the largest nature reserve in the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district.

The bird sanctuary area was laid out during construction of the Altmühlsee reservoir in the 1980s, with about 40 small flat inland islands, mudflats and long shorelines. It was designated a nature reserve on 25 May 1987 and covers roughly two square kilometres, making it the largest nature reserve in the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district. It lies within the larger EU bird protection area Altmühltal with Brunst-Schwaigau and Altmühlsee, part of Natura 2000.

The reserve lies in the Fränkisches Seenland tourism region, and guided excursions for school classes and groups are led by experts from the Landesbund für Vogelschutz, who explain the bird, amphibian, insect and plant life. The name Vogelinsel, bird island, is used locally for the island group in the lake's northwest.

Access to the northern section is available via a barrier-free nature trail with designated viewing spots and an observation tower for comfortable wildlife watching. Bring binoculars and move quietly to avoid disturbing the birds you hope to observe.

More than 200 bird species pass through here each year to feed, rest, and molt in the shallow waters and among the islands. The numbers peak during migration seasons when the site becomes a critical stopover point for traveling birds.