Bremen

Bremen, officially the free Hanseatic city of Bremen, is the smallest and least populous of Germany’s 16 federal states. It consists of four non-contiguous territories covering just 420 km² (162 square miles) with a population of around 700,000 people. The two primary enclaves contain the city of Bremen, which is the state capital, and the city of Bremerhaven, both located on the River Weser, the latter further downstream at the mouth with open access to the North Sea. Both these enclaves are completely surrounded by the neighbouring state of Lower Saxony. The two smaller non-contiguous territories of the state of Bremen is an exclave of Bremerhaven, northeast of the city, and the second is a tiny enclave of the city of Bremen on its north side of only a few hectares. Just like the other parts of the state, both are completely surrounded by the neighbouring state of Lower Saxony.

The hinterland of the state, strongly characterised by its waterways, has a natural and cultivated countryside which few other major cities can offer. The Weser runs through both large enclaves, one of its tributaries, the Lesum flows into the Weser at Bremen-Vegesack; the Wümme serves as Bremen City’s northern boundary and the Ochtum flows through the south of the city before joining the Weser. The river lowlands with their wetland meadows represent a diverse landscape of natural as well as historically cultural interest. The typically open marsh landscape has developed as a result of hundreds of years of human management. Flooding and drainage with an extensive network of ditches have transformed the swampy countryside into wet pasture.

Birding Bremen

Located just north of Bremen’s city centre, Blockland is a vast, flat rural district defined by wide pastures, dykes, and grazing cows. It is a highly popular destination for cycling along its paved paths. Situated in the northern districts (Vegesack/Blumenthal), Knoops Park and Wätjens Park feature sprawling lawns, rare trees, and rolling hills. Elevated, countryside overlooking the Lesum River.

Borgfelder Wümmewiesen – ©Alaaddin Avciogullari CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Spanning 677 hectares along the River Wümme, Borgfelder Wümmewiesen is Bremen’s largest nature reserve. It is an EU bird sanctuary renowned for its unspoiled wetland meadows, making it ideal for birdwatching and enjoyment of its peaceful nature.

Borgfelder Wümmewiesen – ©Ina Kranz CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The low-lying countryside offers a varied habitats for a wide range of animals, birds and plants, including 722 endangered species and 114 species of trans-regional importance. Almost nowhere else in Northern Germany has the characteristic biodiversity of open water meadows that has been preserved as it has here. Excellent examples of its wildlife and floras are birds such as Corncrake Crex crex, Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, Shoveler Anas clypeata, as well as Marsh Frog Rana ridibunda, Marsh Lousewort Pedicularis palustris and Water Soldier Stratiotes aloides. An exceptionally rich and outstanding natural world lies on Bremen’s doorstep.