Europaschutzgebiet Pfeiferanger

The Pfeiferanger is part of the Ibmer Moor and thus the largest contiguous moor complex in Austria. The Pfeiferanger has been a nature reserve since 1987 and has been designated a NATURA 2000 protected area of European importance since 1995.

Here too, the original moorland vegetation has often been altered by human intervention - especially peat cutting and drainage. However, the moorland landscape still exerts an incredible fascination on people: The carnivorous plants, above all the sundew, but also butterwort and bladderwort, survive in the barren, nutrient-poor environment by indulging in the odd insect meal. Orchids, lilies and gentian plants, which are rarely found elsewhere. But above all the inconspicuous stars of the moor, the peat-forming mosses. They are the real master builders of this landscape, having created the Ibmer Moor over many thousands of years. And with it the unique habitat for many animals - above all birds - that have a home in the Pfeiferanger. This protected area is of immense importance, especially as a breeding ground for the Eurasian curlew, far beyond the borders of Upper Austria and Austria. The brown bird, almost as big as a chicken, wades through the damp landscape and pokes around with its sabre-shaped beak for food, especially worms, snails, insects, seeds and berries. In addition to the largest occurrence of curlews in Austria, a large population of snipes is also at home in the Pfeiferanger. Red-backed shrike, hen harrier, marsh harrier and many others also find a unique, protected habitat here. The special feature of the Pfeiferanger is its mixture of different types of moor - fen, transitional moor and raised bog. Bog forests and moor grass meadows round off the overall picture that nature lovers can discover for themselves on the moor nature trail. The walk along the paved path through the moorland landscape takes just under two to two and a half hours. Information boards and observation points explain the formation of the Ibmer Moor, its plants and animals. Trained moorland guides offer guided walks along the nature trail and share their knowledge of nature and its fascinating interrelationships with their guests.