The nature reserve was designated a “Natura 2000 zone” in the early 2000s and is currently a favourite among Luxembourg’s bird population. Swallows in particular flock to the reserve in their thousands to sleep at night and to rest among the reeds.
The swallows are thought to travel from within a 30 kilometre radius of Übersyren. At around 9pm every evening, the skies above the reserve fill with birds, travelling to their preferred sleep spot. The migration is expected to last from August through to mid-September.
A team of volunteers, both young and experienced, form part of the “Natur & Ëmwelt” (nature and environment) group which is active at the Schlammwiss reserve. They catch the birds in order to tag them, and treat them if required. The group also offers tours of the reserve to members of the public.
The sight of the swallows arriving among the reeds is said to be a true spectacle, before they leave for warmer climes in the autumn. It can viewed in the clip below.
Video report in Luxembourgish:
