Nature reserve

Biotope Beeden

Aussichtspunkt am Beeder Sportplatz, Sandweg, 66424 Homburg-Beeden

The Beeden biotope, also known as the Beeder Bruch, is home to a variety of unusual animals and plants and is therefore a great destination for nature lovers. In the immediate vicinity of the Blies floodplain, water buffalo, swamp beavers (nutrias), ducks, herons and wild geese can be observed in the floodplains, while cattle and Konik wild horses graze in the meadows. Riparian forests, reed beds, tall herbaceous meadows, inaccessible pools and ponds as well as the extensive meadow areas are responsible for the fact that more than 150 different bird species have already been recorded, including breeding species such as the lapwing, meadow pipit, stonechat and snipe. But resting birds such as the great white egret, little merganser, osprey, crane, ruff and wood sandpiper are also regular guests.

Pairs of storks, which have made Beeden their home for years, breed in the nests.

With great support from the local biotope association, a bird sanctuary of European importance has been created here (official EU bird sanctuary). The Beeder biotope is also the initial biotope for the reintroduction of the European tree frog.

When the Blies floods, the floodplain landscape is transformed into a large lake that stretches from Beeden to the motorway between Limbach and Homburg. A no less interesting natural spectacle can be experienced before sunset, when the evening sun colours the western sky and bathes the entire biotope landscape in a deep orange-red.

The Beeder Biotope is well connected to the biosphere's network of hiking and cycling trails. From the viewing point at the Beeder sports field, a steep path leads down to a tarmac path that connects the biotope with the Beeder Mastau via Felsenbrunnenstraße without barriers and leads in the opposite direction via Flurstraße to the town centre. Another path, which leads between the Blies and the biotope in a north-westerly direction to Limbach and the old town, is part of the "Adebarrunde" cycle route, as is Felsenbrunnenstraße. There is another viewing platform in the immediate vicinity of the "Höllengraben", which is ideal for observing the numerous bird species. Wheelchair users can reach the biotope directly via the aforementioned tarmac paths.

The approximately four-kilometre-long Beeden Biotope Culture Circular Trail, which also leads past the "Beeder Turm" tower (Turmstraße), also starts here at the viewing point. The ruins from the 14th century are the only medieval sacral monument in the Homburg city area besides the ruins of the Wörschweiler monastery.