Biodiverse Wildlife in the former Dirtiest River in Germany

this river is unique 116 kilometers teeming with life   the untamed vopper the home of innumerable  fantastic species both in and around the water this is a stage for all the  facets nature has to offer   almost like its south american cousin the amazon this is a special river in the bergesh land  the heart of the western part of germany the pulsing artery of the bergish land but  it was not always well cared for by people   the mungstana bridge and the world famous  suspended monorail in volpetal still bear   witness to determined entrepreneurial efforts  to take control of nature and the countryside in the middle ages it was the dukes of berg  who resided in the castle called schlossberg   these dukes kept a watchful eye on  the river of upper for good reason in those days the 13th century the crystal clear   unsullied waters of the river were  a plentiful source of tasty fish   due to their excellent quality trout and  salmon from the river were particularly coveted north of cologne the whopper joins the rhine by  this time it will have meandered 116 kilometers   from its source in the southern part  of the sour land shrouded in myths according to legend a gnome king  plunged his staff into the ground here   and cast a spell over the source the marshy undergrowth with its myriad of rivulets  encourages the myth of the river's magical origins we may have no evidence of enchanted princes   but there are still plenty of  enchanting amphibians around as spring breaks the pregnant european fire  saramandas come out of their winter hiding places this female has found a suitable  place to give birth to her larvae as soon as they hit cold water  the babies are independent fire salamanders live on land but the females will   find their way to water to  give birth to their larvae   after a few months spent living in the water the   larvae will metamorphose into young  salamanders and leave the streams the striped salamanders feel particularly at home   on the soft mossy cushions in the damp  cool deciduous woods that line the vopper   they are seldom seen as openly as this though  because despite being slightly poisonous   fire saramanders do have predators the tawny owl for example   the heath spotted orchid is  often called the vupper orchid here on the upland moors near berlinghausen   is the source of the vupper a veritable  refuge for rare plants and animals a place steeped in its own magic   with its colorful fauna and flora the  cradle of the vupper is one of the most   beautiful wetland habitats in the berggish  land and is even a nature conservation area more than 30 springs feed into this young river the cold water with its high oxygen content  is packed with insect larvae and water fleas   ideal feeding conditions  for the great crested newt   this particular species has  become rare in other locations spring fever does not only  affect frogs and dragonflies the beginning of may is also the  breeding season for grass snakes   this snake wedding is a phenomenon rarely observed after mating the two go their separate ways again   the male has now done his  duty in mating with the female the swamp woods close to the river are just  what these snakes who love water really relish   later on in the summer the females will lay  up to 50 soft-shelled eggs in the muddy soil   the heat generated by decomposition is enough to  hatch the eggs after around one and a half months   around the stream below the source are meadows this is one of the rainiest parts of  germany there's no shortage of water here in the upper reaches the bed of the  stream is very much the way nature made it at this point the river in its early stages   is still called the vipper rather  than the vupper a linguistic shift the developing river drops rapidly from  its source 441 metres above sea level   at this rate of current the grass  snake keeps well into the bank it doesn't like fast flowing water at all  but on the other hand there is prey in reach the grass snake likes nothing  better to eat than a water frog these snakes are non-venomous  but they have very powerful jaws   and this one is going to  make a meal of the large frog further downstream lies the breeding  ground of a pair of kingfishers   the gentleman is in the process of  getting ready for today's big event his lady friend has appeared from inside  the nesting hole he aims to make this   little lady happy just have to pick up a little  present that helps to cement the relationship this attractive hunter is the master of  his trade this is why he has a family it's important to hold the fish in such a  way that she can take it by the head first he seems to have done everything right in the nesting hole the chicks are calling because  they're hungry and the next course is on its way down here below ground the chicks  are safe from most predators   and cloud bursts which can be  dramatic here in the berggish land the vupper and the weather are a constant topic  of conversation and not only an academic one in some parts of the region average annual  rainfall can be 1400 liters per square meter   possibly a record in germany nature is prepared for this when the heavens open the  water can't simply soak in   now the peaceful hilly region  river becomes a raging torrent this is of no great concern to  the chaffinch and yellowhammer as soon as the high water has subsided the  latent power of the vipa becomes evident   wild and unpredictable but also  peaceful and romantic this artery   flowing through the bergesh land has many facets the white-throated dipper is well able  to deal with the waves on the viper white-throated dippers are the only indigenous   songbirds that hunt their  prey on the bed of a river caddisfly larvae are an absolute culinary  highlight of these feathered predators the cases   of the larvae have a very resilient structure  but a no protection against this sharp beak dippers crisscross the bed  of the river partly swimming   partly walking they disappear and then suddenly  appear again somewhere else like a goblin   the fruit growing regions of the baggish land   well known throughout germany are home to a  different kind of goblin the squirrel-tailed   door mouse wastes no time in discovering the  rich choice of fresh fruit close to the river as an accomplished climber he  will devour almost anything   from bark and leaves to eggs and fledglings  but a ripe apple is a real delicacy   the summer is drawing to a  close and autumn is approaching a contemplative calm settles over the course of  the river and yet nature is not yet ready to sleep in the neighboring woods numerous shy and  not so shy residents are highly active there is much to do along the  river banks for the wild boar body contact is in demand during the siesta if you roll around in the mud your skin is likely  to itch sometimes but the plentiful supply of   acorns beech nuts and other tidbits in the marshy  ground are evidently worth such minor discomfort in the river itself there is considerable activity   even if this is hardly noticeable  at first glance from a distance the grayling are swimming in the current these are  now the most important fish species in the viper   they're a river trout close to the bank something is  moving a neat cut with the egg   tooth and the young grass snake is able  to leave the leathery shell of his egg the last few days in september the black spruce are guaranteeing  their next generation the puffball and other mushrooms  are busy spreading their spores everywhere mushrooms are  thrusting their heads upwards witch's eggs give rise to common stink  horn and australian octopus stink horn the greater red slug knows exactly  what treats the mushroom season brings november in the vipper the sun-dependent algae  now die off the european catfish is out hunting it must be this berbert's lucky day   the mouse-eared bats have made a disused ore  mine from the 19th century their upside down home in this frost-free subterranean retreat   the temperature and humidity remain  virtually constant ideal winter quarters the high level of moisture in the air  prevents the surroundings drying out outside in the open countryside on the other hand   moisture is causing a mystical metamorphosis  in the river and plant world a sudden drop in   temperature is forcing many to seek refuge under  the crystalline canopy in a silent wintry world   the robin can't afford to be choosy for most of the inhabitants of the  woods hard times are approaching especially those that are having to cope without  their preferred moderately tempered homes   held in check between the  white cushion-covered banks   the vipper is holding out  against the winter but only just a red fox out hunting mice its fine senses locate the  next meal under the snow if a competitor encroaches on  reynard the fox's territory   there's trouble the rules are well defined as the victor he takes what is now  his even though it's a poor reward the frost is beginning to take over the river but the stream does not want to give  in voluntarily to the icy clutches when the last open stretches finally freeze over   such fishing experts as the grey  heron will have to find other waters for the buzzard this will also probably  be the last chance for a fish supper anchor ice is developing a rare natural  phenomenon that has not been seen here for decades the viper usually nimble and lighter  foot is freezing from the inside outwards to avoid the deep snow this secretive animal  swings from tree to tree in search for food hardly   visible during the periods of lush vegetation is  highly noticeable in the bleak winter woodlands raccoons originated in north america but have  become firmly established in the bergeis land as an omnivore this newcomer is not very  choosy but he does enjoy a nice trout one year blends into the next  the winter releases its hold   slowly but surely the  countryside brings forth new life on the first warm day a pair of  greater spotted woodpeckers appears while he business himself with building a home   she demolishes a rotten branch  in her search for hidden insects we are now at the beginning of march  and the wedding season for common frogs common frogs spawn earlier  than all the other amphibians   the female will lay up to 4 500  eggs in one or two gelatinous masses partners will usually come together in the water spring awakens in the water  meadows around the viperfurt area   from here on the river is called the vupa as the sun warms the countryside a feeling  of optimism takes hold of the river   the grayling are affected by spring fever   the males with their flag-like dorsal fins  are attempting to win the favors of the female   one of them has been successful she lays her eggs  in a gravelly depression and covers them with sand despite the peaceful appearance  of the vupper along this section   springtime on the riverbanks can be a  time of stress for many of the inhabitants these fox cubs have been allowed outside  their earth but they're made to stay in   the immediate vicinity of their parents  earth but still great fun for the cubs but less so for the vixen the spotted woodpecker parents have  their beaks full keeping their young fed high up in a beech tree young black  woodpeckers are waiting for their breakfast   mum delivers on time abar now crosses the vopper which has  by now reached impressive dimensions   it meanders snake-like between the  hills and through the bergish land guided by natural or re-naturalized river banks  with numerous quiet backwaters the vupa has proved   to be a paradise for many animal and plant  communities both above and below the water the submerged floral world of the  vupper reservoir is a mystic one the undisputed lord of the territory is a  ghostly giant a one meter european catfish these predators can reach a length of three meters this particular caring father is  keeping a watchful eye on the spawn this is a mysterious sinister world   a place the catfish likes to frequent because  the thick vegetation provides excellent cover although he's normally to be found  at the bottom of the reservoir   this giant of a fish is partial  to unwary swimming water birds the coot must be careful this pair have built themselves a  floating castle from branches and twigs the children left alone at home after only three  or four days coot chicks can leave the nest   despite being mature so early they still have  something to learn when it comes to eating the parents share the tasks of nest building  brooding and bringing up the young together   they may be courageous and keen to explore   but it will take around eight weeks before  they're independent of their parents feeding   the dab chicks are extremely  busy looking after their young if danger threatens they're allowed  to hitch a ride on the parents back   but laziness is not to be tolerated the family feel safe in the  shallow water close to the reeds these two crested greeb are in  the process of planning a family two's company three's a crowd but the problem is soon solved  these two have come to an agreement mating takes place on the waterbed this  nest is floating and lightly anchored when it dives the crested grib controls  movement with its fin-like feet he's out hunting   besides slugs and insect  larvae he most appreciates fish the little water shrew was equally  at home on land and underwater   it's a most accomplished diver its main prey is fish but it will  also catch invertebrate mollusks   which it stuns with its toxic saliva   its high rate of metabolism requires it to eat  more every day than its own body weight when it   comes to disputes the 20 gram featherweights  turn out to be energetic fighting machines less a fighting machine than an eating machine the  grub of a cop chafer sees daylight for the first   time after spending several years underground  this is also an inhabitant of the bupa banks with the aid of his sensitive scent  detectors he soon finds a female   but this female is not interested she's hungry   in the woods beside the bank the fox cubs  have sneaked out of the earth to play   the mother is obviously away as long as they are still small they  will come out during daylight hours   it's hardly possible to fool  around in the restricting earth hide and seek is only really fun during daytime at  the latest after 10 months this will have to cease   then there will be adults  and have to be more careful but before they transform into  strictly nocturnal predators the   young cubs are thoroughly enjoying a life without  responsibilities in the sunny woods by the vupa   the vupa reservoir built between 1974 and  1987 to help regulate high water levels   this reservoir is a complete world of its own  in 1989 the hamlet of kravenkle was submerged the remains of the buildings are now on the floor  of the reservoir before it was flooded everything   in the village was thoroughly cleared up there  are unlikely to be any treasures left to find here today the catfish are the  lords over these old walls before the waters flooded everything  tall buildings were knocked down   but there are still a few aids to orientation as if from nowhere suddenly a pike perch appears he obviously feels this diver is an  intruder this male is defending his spawn his teeth are impressive in the meantime a perch feasts on  the distracted pike perches spawn   these fish and others have become well  established in the artificial lake   after the valley was flooded the water  had to be restocked with fish the fish   could not repopulate the river naturally from  downstream because the dam blocked their way nobody had to restock these wherever there  are fish there will soon be cormorants in contrast to ducks cormorants feathers soak up  water this enables them to dive very efficiently   where they are successful underwater hunters   they are the sworn adversaries  of fish farmers and many anglers there are two nesting colonies of these  fish catchers around the vupper reservoir to convince the female of inherent qualities  the male bats his wings presents his beak   and spreads his tail feathers  the method works as we can see soon the couple will be  brooding over three or four eggs the vupper is also home to  true everyday feathered heroes   this white-throated dipper for example that  will traverse walls of water for its children concealed in the woodlands by the  river is an ornithological highlight   it takes an expert to recognize that these downey  nest inhabitants are in fact young black stalks   these rare timid woodland birds are only  to be found in a few places in germany   here by the vupper they find ideal conditions   not until late in the summer will they  migrate to africa in search of warmer climes the smaller reservoir near bayernborg was  built in 1953 to regulate high water levels   today it's a paradise for  canada geese and other waterfowl   canada geese originate from north america but  have established themselves well beside the vupa the parents and their young  exhibit tremendous appetites   as they feed on the fresh  vegetation of the vopper meadows the african egyptian goose must be the  offspring of escaped zoo inhabitants whether they are classified as migrants  or indie genes it makes no difference   on the biomborg reservoir the various  waterfowl all feel completely at home tufted ducks on the other hand are true europeans  the species has been spreading further southwards two coot [ __ ] have got into a dispute  and are solving it by kickboxing on the meadows close to the vopper grey herons  go hunting for frogs and other small animals   the heron populations have increased considerably   there are now several colonies of these  large grey birds on this section of the river vupertal the town on the vupa has forced the  river into a tight corset above the river is   the world famous suspended monorail it also  crosses the island where the courthouse is   thanks to re-naturalization activities by the  authorities this is a bridgehead of nature there   are now grayling living in this part of the  wooper again after a long absence a sign of   excellent water quality however despite the green  banks the vupper invopetal is still an urban river   go a few kilometers downstream  and things are far different koipu have made the vupper their home normally these south american  rodents are to be found by the amazon   since around 1930 the offspring of  a few escaped fur farm detainees   are to be found in germany many of them  will not survive a really tough winter the vupper the amazon of the bergish land purified of sewage and treated vupper  water is once again the elixir of life   even the noble crayfish once thought  extinct is reproducing again here the   mating of these small-scale lobsters  is a spectacle that raises hopes no sign anymore of what used to  be more a cesspool than a river today the course of the river vopper is one of the  most beautiful countryside elements in the region the many species of dragonflies  make full use of heavily overgrown   quiet backwaters for their  courtship and egg laying but many aquatic plants are  not as harmless as they appear the bladder word looks soft and filigree   but it's extremely dangerous for  such small creatures as water fleas it uses special bladder-like traps to suck  in plankton-like organisms and digest them in the woodlands close to the river we can also  find eagle owls this female eagle owl has chicks   her simple nest depression is  in a nearby niche in the rocks children are always hungry to  keep their insatiable chicks fed   it's even necessary for these nocturnal  hunters to go out in the daylight the vopper between remsheit and zalingen at this point the valley of the vupper is  crossed by germany's highest railway bridge   the 107 meter high moonstone at the foot of this bridge called  locally the berkish eiffel tower   badgers have dug themselves a set in the hill a rare occurrence badges during daylight hours as a rule these stocky animals are only  nocturnal it looks very much as if the   afternoon's playtime is drawing to a close  a plan not supported by the young badger cub   but mother has given in again  it'll be evening soon anyway as darkness falls this colossal steel construction   becomes the stage for a  mystic but beautiful activity   this is when the nocturnal  spirits in the neighboring   rocky walls of the vopper valley wake up around the vupper there are 10 to 15 different  species of bats one of these is dorbenton's bat   up in the rafters of a nearby  barn there's nervous expectancy   female mouse-eared bats ready to give birth this one is ready a baby mouse eared bat appears  in the darkness of its mother's summer quarter   initially baby bats are naked and blind but still  strong enough to hold tight and seek the teats   the morning after now we  take our leave of the bridge   close to the castle schlossberg the vupper  shows its original nature the fast flowing water   is rich in oxygen like in the middle ages  as the dukes of berg watched suspiciously   from the high walls of the castle  to guard their well-stocked river but it was not only fish they were interested in crayfish were also popular but they were  wiped out later by the crayfish plague   the american replacement has caused many problems  the dukes of berg would probably have been in   two minds about this one they might have been  pleased that the foreign invader was eating up   the undesirable crayfish but they would also have  been concerned that the raccoon loves to hunt the   newly returned trout and they are no doubt  as delicious now as they were 800 years ago   valkhauser cotton can look  back over a 500-year heritage this cutlery and blades workshop now a museum   demonstrates today how the world famous blades  from zollingham were ground using water power on the bed of the river in  front of balkhauser cotton   large freshwater mussels filter tiny organisms  and other nutrients from the waters of the vupper as it plows its way through the riverbed it  turns up tiny particles that it can then eat the bitterling male has chosen this  muscle as the backdrop for his wedding a central point is the aperture  through which the muscle sucks in water   from which it obtains oxygen and food in the meantime the bitterling male has  been able to attract a female to his muscle the female extends her long ovipositor into  the mantle cavity of the muscle and deposits   her eggs there while he ejects his sperm  into the muscle's inhalant water current   fertilization takes place within the host at vipa cotton there is the  last opportunity to watch   the knife grinding that shaped  the burgish region in real life it's nearly time for the workshop  to close but nobody even thinks   about what's happening in front  of the building in the shallows   the night shift has arrived at  the vopper and they have plans for the pike it's just business as  usual but the eel has a remarkable plan heavily moist nights are good for eels the weir across the river prevents  them getting to the upper reaches   but for an eel this is not an obstacle as  long as the meadows on the bank are wet enough   it glides smoothly around such obstacles over land by daybreak though it ought to be back in the  water otherwise the early heron catches the eel they are also usually active  at twilight or in the night   little ringed plovers interestingly the  only plumbers that breed on germany's rivers these sparrow-sized birds need sandbanks  or gravel banks for their well-being   the vopper can offer even these the weir advocate for many fish this is  the end of the line hardly any migrating   fish can get past here see trout in  particular gather below this weird fortunately there are  suitable spawning grounds here   tagged salmon have been noted in increasing  numbers a sure sign that the fish introduced   into the vupper years ago have found their  way home after migrating through the oceans the vopper a fairytale river with many facets   a key river for both people  and nature in the bergish land the return of the trout to borg is as  much a vopper miracle as the returning   salmon that are now spawning again in the  re-naturalized river the vopper today has   developed so many fascinating sides that one may  be forgiven for giving it the nickname the amazon   of the bergish land there can surely be no greater  compliment for this small but gigantic river you

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Keywords: Free High-Quality Documentaries, HD, Full HD, Quality, river, Germany, Wupper, Wuppertal, salmon, crabs

Id: l3qO8ER-EzI

Length: 52min 55sec (3175 seconds)

Published: Fri Sep 23 2022