Kiebitz-Zukunft secured: Farmers fight for endangered bird species!

Kiebitz-Zukunft secured: Farmers fight for endangered bird species!

In Baden-Württemberg, the Kiebitz lives, a striking floor breeder, which has been struggling with a dramatic decline in his population for decades. According to the Swaebian, the stocks have dropped by more than 90 percent in the past 30 years. Various factors, including intensive agriculture, the use of pesticides and extreme weather conditions, have led to a loss of suitable habitats.

In order to counteract this trend, the Nature Conservation Association (NABU), in cooperation with committed farmers, has launched the "Kiebitz-Land" initiative. This is supported by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy Management with four million euros over a period of five years. The aim of the project is to restore safe breeding conditions for the lapwing and the creation of 12 core areas in which the birds threatened with extinction should find a new home. According to NABU, the lapwing population sank to only 300 to 400 breeding pairs in all of Baden-Württemberg by 2016, which corresponds to a decline of around 92 percent since 1992

co -financing and farmers' commitment

In order to stabilize the Kiebitz population, farmers work closely with NABU. Alexander Gabele, Managing Director of Herbert Gabele GmbH in Sauldorf, is an example of this successful cooperation. For three years, Gabele has been managing around 50 hectares of land, half of which serves as a grassland for hay. In the spring of 2025, 45 lapwings were spotted in his region, of which 20 couples could stay after the dry spring.

farmers who do without the cultivation of corn and grain receive a compensation payment of 1,750 euros per hectare. These financial incentives are intended to help make the areas for Kiebitzen more attractive. In addition, Galloway cattle are used to keep the vegetation low and to create suitable breeding grounds. The implementation of the project is supported by area supervisors who control fences and nest protection baskets and count the stocks.

innovative protection and positive side effects

A remarkable aspect of the project is the innovative use of electric fence, which offers the lapwing nests protection against foxes and is regularly monitored by volunteer NABU staff. In addition, NABU pursues modern approaches to nest monitoring using drones and thermal imaging cameras to optimize brood protection. Another unexpected element that benefited the Kiebitz population is the beaver. Its activities have led to the fact that the Seewaldbach was dammed up, which flooded some meadows and thus created new habitats.

The "Kiebitz-Land" project is part of a comprehensive species protection offensive in the state of Baden-Württemberg, which not only focuses on the lapwing, but also on other endangered species such as bats, field birds and amphibians. This integrated approach illustrates how sustainable agriculture and species protection can go hand in hand.

This initiatives not only protects the lapwing, but also creates a dynamic ecosystem that promotes biodiversity in the region and improves the quality of life for flora and fauna in the long term. The commitment of farmers and the support of the NABU are crucial for the successful implementation of these important environmental protection measures.

For further information and current developments, the websites of the Schwaebische and Nabu are available: Schwaebische and nabu .