Wolferskopf nature reserve information board

The yellow-bellied toad, which is threatened with extinction throughout Europe, and the copper butterfly, which is even protected worldwide, have found a safe habitat here, as have many other plants and animals, some of which are threatened with extinction.

30 different orchid species can be found on the Wolferskopf alone. The overlooked orchid, for example, gives a small spring swamp national importance. Because it only occurs here and in just two other places in Germany. The "fringed gentian" and the "yellow asparagus pea" have also settled here.

In addition, over 60 species of birds can be observed here. Above all, many hedge and bush breeders and the characteristic bird of the Wolferskopf, the red-backed shrike. Over 30 pairs raise their young here. But green woodpeckers, stock doves and wrynecks also feel at home.

Numerous small animals have also found refuge on the Wolferskopf. 23 species of grasshopper were counted, including the nationally rare wart-biter and the colorful-bellied grasshopper. And a good half of all butterfly species living in Saarland love the warmth and dryness of the meadows on the Fischerberg, such as the dwarf blue, the thyme ant blue or the buckthorn hairstreak.

15 species of mammals and 5 species of reptiles - including the grass snakes and smooth snakes, which are also threatened - round off the colorful picture of this structurally and species-rich landscape of the nature reserve.

In addition to a wide variety of plants and animals, a recognized organic farm also cultivates around 15 hectares of arable land and 60 hectares of meadows. The Vosges cattle, which are kept in a species-appropriate manner, graze around 25 hectares of green areas and thus also contribute to the maintenance of the lean grasslands.

As a testament to the earlier wine-growing on the slopes of the Wolferskopf, a show vineyard was built and 2,000 orchard trees are cultivated by two fruit farmers as a part-time business. They not only provide table fruit, they also provide the raw material for cloudy apple juice, apple cider vinegar and apple schnapps. The plan to combine nature conservation and land use in a sensible way is implemented in an excellent way by this management concept.

Since 1988, the "Wolferskopf Nature Reserve Association" has taken over the sponsorship and thus the responsibility.