Europaschutzgebiet Wiesengebiete im Freiwald

The disappearance of meadow landscapes and the intensive use and fertilisation of remaining green spaces are causing meadow birds serious problems. The European nature reserve "Wiesengebiete im Freiwald" in the Upper Austrian Mühlviertel creates a refuge for many species.
The protected area is located on the border between the Mühlviertel and the neighbouring Waldviertel and the Czech Republic in the municipalities of Grünbach, Windhaag, St. Oswald, Weitersfelden, Sandl and especially Liebenau. The protected meadows are mostly so-called clearing islands within forest areas. On the one hand, they are characterised by their altitude of between 700 and 1,000 metres above sea level. On the other hand, they are located on exposed hilltops. As a result, these areas are exposed to a harsh microclimate, which makes profitable cultivation difficult.
In the area of the "Green Belt" on the former Iron Curtain, there are also large bird breeding areas on the Czech side of the border, which further enhances the value of the meadows in the Freiwald. The corncrake in particular, which occurs here, depends on fallow meadows that are rarely mown and mown late. The red-backed shrike also needs insect-rich landscapes whose meadows are little utilised and cultivated. Woodlark, quail, common snipe and
Common Woodlark, Common Quail, Common Snipe and Eurasian Grasshopper Warbler are other species that observant birdwatchers can find here. The whinchat and meadow pipit are also migratory birds in the Freiwald.