Kormorankolonie bei Niederhof, Protected bird area in Sundhagen, Germany.
The Kormorankolonie bei Niederhof is a protected nature reserve covering 25 hectares of land with cliff formations descending to Strelasund, featuring ash and beech forests at elevations between 12 and 22 meters. The area also contains an old Jewish cemetery and shows evidence of Neolithic human settlements along with a Slavic fortress wall.
The area shows evidence of human settlement dating to the Neolithic period, with a Slavic fortress wall located in the northwestern section from earlier centuries. These archaeological finds reveal long-term human influence on the landscape.
The colony takes its name from the cormorants that have nested here for generations and define the area's character. Visitors regularly spot these black water birds settling in trees along the Strelasund waters.
A 2 kilometer circular trail starts from the Niederhof parking area and guides visitors through dense vegetation with informational signs along the way. Sturdy footwear is advisable due to uneven paths and potentially damp ground conditions.
The cormorant population here is remarkable, growing from eight breeding pairs in 1952 to 1835 pairs by 1998, making it the oldest continuous breeding colony in the region. This growth shows how the area became a refuge for a bird species whose numbers were declining elsewhere.
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