The new building of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut is to be built on the former site of the Kronenhof arena. However, adverse effects on the barn swallow habitat located there must be prevented before construction can begin. To this end, a new habitat location has been set up for the barn swallows as an advance compensation measure in accordance with species protection law – an action known as a CEF (continuous ecological functionality measure). The new barn swallow habitat on the site of the Langen/Egelsbach/Erzhausen Wastewater Association (AVLEE) should help to protect the swallows' habitat in the long term.
Image / Video 1 / 4
Barn swallow habitat outside
Source: LBIH
The barn swallows' new home, which was built as a preliminary measure to avoid any adverse effects to the species in accordance with Section 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (Bundesnaturschutzgesetz, BNatSCHG), was completed in February 2023. The bird habitat – a wooden structure with an extensive green roof – offers the barn swallows a total of 34 nesting aids. The structure was designed in close consultation with the local nature conservation authority responsible for the district of Offenbach to take into account the needs and peculiarities of this bird species.
Facade openings and sliding shutters ensure natural lighting and ventilation in the new bird habitat. The barn swallow nests are also arranged relative to one another in such a way that they fulfil special species protection requirements. Furthermore, the green roof offers space and biological diversity for insects.
The design and construction of the species protection habitat were both carried out by the State Office for Construction and Real Estate in Hesse (Landesbetrieb Bau und Immobilien Hessen, LBIH).
Updated: 11.05.2023
