Erstein Forest National Nature Reserve: the Sommerley

South of Strasbourg, in the Sommerley forest massif, the Erstein Forest Nature Reserve protects 180 hectares of some of the wildest areas of the Rhine alluvial forest.

This site, protected since 1989, hosts remarkable biodiversity in both flora and fauna. Nearly 300 plant species thrive here, including 57 varieties of trees and shrubs such as oaks, elms, ashes, poplars, maples, dogwoods, and willows. The ground cover includes water crowfoots, water-starworts, reeds, and yellow irises. The reserve also counts 29 species of vertebrates, 44 species of butterflies and dragonflies, as well as 78 bird species.

Among these, the elegant middle spotted woodpecker, recognizable by its red cap and checkered plumage, particularly attracts birdwatching enthusiasts.