Schuttrange

The bird sanctuary around Schuttrange, Canach, Lenningen and Gostingen is geologically characterised by shell limestone, Keuper, marl and sandstone. The alternation of hard and soft layers creates the undulating character of the region, which is typical for the east of Luxembourg. Along the plateaus there are steep slopes, which then run into more gently sloping sections. The steep slopes are difficult to machine, which meant that they were used for viticulture into the 20th century. After the abandonment of this cultivation, fruit growing was practised on the terraces, but this use was also discontinued. The soils created by the erosion of the rock bed reflect the different geological subsoils: shell limestone gives rise to brown, loose, stony soils that dry out quickly, gypseous marl becomes heavy soils with a high water storage capacity, and clayey, heavy, brown soils have emerged from Keuper. The area is little characterised by water bodies. The Gouschtengerbaach and the Lennigerbaach with their tributaries cross the area from northwest to southeast. A large part of the area is used, in part intensively, for agriculture. Besides the cultural traces of viticulture, pastures and some orchards are also found in the area. Among these are also habitats of Annex I of the Habitats Directive, here mainly lowland hay meadows (6510) and calcareous dry grasslands (6210). The landscape is still relatively rich in structure with hedges, rows of trees and edges and therefore offers good basic conditions for the target species. However, the Great Grey Shrike could no longer be detected during the last mapping and the Red-backed Shrike has become rarer in the area. Thus, the situation of these target species is worsening. According to the SDF (Standard Data Form), a total of 21 bird species protected under Annex I of the Birds Directive occur in the Schuttrange bird sanctuary.