Protected area number NSG 337-116
The NSG is located in the southernmost wine-growing region of the Palatinate.
Vineyard: Sonnenberg
The Pfälzer Weinsteig hiking trail runs right through the nature reserve.
The approximately 23.0 hectare area, which was placed under nature protection in 1989, is characterized by its special natural location and extends on the north-eastern edge of the municipality of Schweigen-Rechtenbach. The B 38 runs to the east, the Rußbach flows to the north. The national border with France runs along the south-western edge of the area.
Here vineyards meet orchards, bushes meet forest and forest edge areas and dry stone walls meet vineyard terraces. This diversity makes the area a site for rare plant species and plant communities as well as a habitat for rare, sometimes endangered animal species.
Flora and fauna:
The vegetation is specialized on warm, calcareous soils. This semi-arid grassland only develops on rocky, shallow locations that are regularly mowed or grazed. Below the station
"Kleines Weintor" is a brome semi-arid grassland that is particularly worthy of protection.
This plant community is characterized by small grasses and herbs and often only has patchy overgrowth or is interrupted by rocky areas: Striking plants are, for example, the burnet, sicklewort and the tufted grape hyacinth.
Limestone grasslands are among the most species-rich and important habitats in all of Central Europe. In the nature reserve you can find, among other things, the praying mantis, the blue-winged grasshopper and wild bees. Many of these bees specialize in perennial species, such as the viper mason bee, which rely exclusively on the perennials that give them their name for pollen. The woolly bee builds nests between stones or in cracks in the ground. Scraped plant hairs, e.g. from mulleins, are used as building material for their nest.
The high habitat diversity and favorable climate offers many birds suitable habitats and important retreats in the cultural landscape. The bird species found here, the red-backed shrike and woodlark, but especially the cirl bunting, are of national importance, the species are endangered and are subject to special protection.
Please note that protected and endangered bird species are not disturbed within the nature reserve during the breeding season from March to June!