swift
The rapid fliers find suitable nesting sites under roofs and building niches. At first glance, the common swift could be mistaken for a swallow. But its longer, crescent-shaped wings, short tail, and constant flight calls make it unmistakable.
The common swift only goes to solid ground to breed. It spends the rest of its life in the air, often at great heights of up to 3,000 meters above the ground. In bad weather they also fly low over the ground.
He can even sleep while flying. Also, foraging - insects and spiders - as well as water intake and even mating are done "on the fly".
In order to drink, swifts take water directly from the surface of the water while gliding.
bats
Bats are mammals that fly with their hands and "see" with their ears. They capture their insect food in flight. They orientate themselves in the dark using ultrasound sent through their mouth and nose, the echo of which they pick up again through their ears. The signal shows them precisely where the prey is. The sounds are not audible for us humans.
Out of 25 different species in Germany, there are currently 7 species in the Himmelmoor. Five are native here (common pipistrelle, common noctule bat, pipistrelle bat, serotine bat and water bat). Two species occasionally come as guests (lesser noctule bat and terrier's bat).
They usually spend their hibernation hanging upside down in cool, damp cellars, bunkers or caves or also above ground in buildings or tree cavities.
frog metamorphosis
The larva has external gills in the early stage. Internal gills and a breathing hole later form.
Newly hatched common frog tadpoles gather in the water by the hundreds. The development of the larva depends on the temperature.
They have an oar tail for locomotion in the water and they feed on suspended matter and carrion.
After about 2 months, the front legs form - first hidden in a skin pocket - while the hind legs are already visible. Then follows the inner transformation into a frog. The tadpoles eat nothing during this time. They feed on the fat reserves of the receding tail.
A few days later, the lung-breathing animal finally climbs onto land. After 1-3 years the animals reach their sexual maturity and the cycle starts all over again.
barn swallows
Barn Swallows can be found throughout Europe. They are migratory birds.
Our barn swallows have their winter quarters in South Africa, but some stay in Central Africa to overwinter.
Their food consists of all kinds of small flying insects, which they usually catch close to the water or the ground during flight. The enemies are the tree hawk and the sparrow hawk.
butterflies
The little fox has 3 black dots on the upper side of each forewing, two small and one big, a distinguishing feature to the big fox.
The Little Fox is widespread. It overwinters as a moth in tree cavities and roof trusses.
The caterpillars are dark to black in color with double yellowish longitudinal stripes. They live in cocoons.
dragonflies
The pitch dragonfly (Fig. 10) is widespread throughout Europe.
In the female, the abdomen shows a nice waist, as in many
dragonflies. After mating, the female lays her eggs by attaching
the water surface or just below the plants "pierced"
will.
The pitch dragonfly - like all dragonflies - is predatory and feeds mainly on small insects.