Spatzenberg

The memorial cross on the highest point, the 96-metre-high Spatzenberg hill, was erected in 1954 by the "Association of Returnees" to commemorate the prisoners of war of the Second World War.

The old marl hollow below is also known to locals as the "Grumkuhle". The marl (grum) was quarried in order to obtain material for fortifying agricultural roads, farms and squares. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the area was used as a fairground.

The Spatzenberg, today also known as the "Löhner Berg", is only partially wooded. Large parts of the Spatzenberg were used as farmland until the middle of the 20th century. It was not until 1969 that the first afforestation began. Today, the Spatzenberg is an important local recreation area.

The quarry and the small area of heathland on the Spatzenberg are rare habitats for thermophilic animal species in the district of Herford. Scientific studies in summer 2013 revealed that, in addition to characteristic species such as the "small fire butterfly" and the "nightingale grasshopper", the small heath grasshopper, which is threatened with extinction nationwide, also occurs here. The sand lizard, classified as critically endangered on the Red List, has also found a home on Spatzenberg. The small-scale mosaic of different habitats provides good conditions for these species.

Help to preserve the valuable heathland habitat for the animal and plant species and stay on the paths!

Further information: www.fahr-im-kreis.de