Kaninchenwerder - Schweriner See

Marina near Schwerin

Last edited 30.03.2026 at 06:00 by NV Charts Team

Latitude

53° 36.953' N

Longitude

11° 28.009' E

Kaninchenwerder - Schweriner See - Marina near Schwerin

Description

The maximum stay at the boat docks on Kaninchenwerder in Lake Schwerin is 72 hours.

Barbecuing and camping, as well as the disposal of trash by boaters at the public dock, are prohibited. You must take your trash with you.

NV Land Guide

1. Formation
The islands of Kaninchenwerder and Ziegelwerder were formed approximately 20,000 years ago (Weichselian Glacial Period). The islands are part of a ridge that is now largely submerged. In small areas, meltwater sands have been deposited (Jesaer Berg). In the shoreline area, small beach ridges have formed in sections (east shore). Small cliffs were formed by shoreline erosion (abrasion). The west shore (especially the northern tip) is now partially under severe threat from wave erosion. Historically, Lake Schwerin has exhibited highly fluctuating water levels, at times significantly higher or lower.

The result of the lake’s lowering and the erosion of material from the moraine hills is the formation of lake terraces with adjacent siltation areas (e.g., Jesar Bay). Based on shellfish findings (some species were not naturalized until 1850; construction of the Stör Canal began in 1830), terraces and beach ridges in their current form have only emerged in relatively recent times. Cut-off bays have silted up and are now covered with wet alder swamp forests (clearly visible on historical maps). Herb-rich ash forests are the typical forest community of the sandy lake terraces.

2. Plants and Habitat Types

Number of higher plants recorded on the island: 269 species, 18 of which are on the MV Red List.
A wet alder swamp forest, which is usually flooded for long periods in winter and spring, has developed in recent decades in a formerly open lake bay at the southern tip of the island due to siltation.
Adjacent to this area is an ash forest that is rarely flooded, transitioning into a moist beech-deciduous forest and extending to a beech forest with pearl grass in the central part of the island.
Common species found in the herb layer of the beech forest include: woodruff, wood betony, pearl grass, wood sorrel, and small-flowered impatiens.
The still relatively young forest on Kaninchenwerder is no longer used for forestry. Here, natural forest development can be observed (process protection).
Interventions in the tree stand occur only occasionally along hiking trails and in the harbor area for traffic safety reasons. Particularly outstanding old-growth trees are to be specifically preserved through forestry measures.
For centuries, forest grazing was practiced on the island. This form of land use has led to the formation of the bizarrely shaped beech and oak trees ("Hudebäume"). Forest grazing is one of the oldest forms of agricultural land use and was already practiced in the Neolithic period. Forest grazing is prohibited under current forestry law.
Some smaller meadow areas are kept open today through extensive maintenance by community service workers.
The riparian vegetation of the islands Kaninchenwerder and Ziegelwerder is described in more detail on another page: Nature Conservation / Plants / Riparian Vegetation of Schwerin’s Inner Lake

3. Animals

Wild boar, fox, roe deer, stone marten, and mink are found here. Another outstanding feature is the confirmed presence of the otter.
Four bat species have been observed:
- Common noctule
- Natterer’s bat, pipistrelle, and Daubenton’s bat
The following were introduced centuries ago: Rabbits (unsuccessfully introduced) and Roman snails (successfully introduced!)

3.1 Birds
A total of 66 bird species bred on the island of Kaninchenwerder between 1993 and 2003. The following species from this list are classified as endangered: white-tailed eagle, northern shoveler, lesser whitethroat, black kite, honey buzzard, and red-backed shrike.
A comparison of waterbird breeding pairs on Kaninchenwerder and Ziegelwerder highlights the great importance of these nature reserves for this group of birds. The comparatively higher breeding population of the Great Crested Grebe on Ziegelwerder is strongly linked to the larger reed beds found there. In recent years, the Greylag Goose and the Bittern have bred only on Ziegelwerder.