Shrouded in legend and mysterious. Like a green band,
traversing Germany. The Teutoburg Forest is a refuge
for both plants and animals. A low mountain range with
fascinating rock formations... ...and a valuable habitat... ...with an animal world
that surprises... ...and impresses. A forest full of history. Made famous by the Varus Battle,
two thousand years ago. And, of course, its hero:
Arminius, the Cheruscan. Whose monument still towers high
above the forest to this day. The Teutoburg Forest covers
an area of some 100 kilometres. The narrow, elongated low mountain
range can be perceived as a defensive border between
West and Northern Germany. It's winter - temperatures fall at
the Extern Stones - a million-year-old
sandstone formation. It's just below freezing point,
calm and damp. Perfect conditions for
a rare phenomenon: Fine frost flowers are growing from
dead branches on the forest floor, pushing their way through the
deadwood like frozen threads. Fungi in the wood press water
out of the branch pores, thereby creating this
transient work of art. As soon as the first sunrays
reach the ground, the magic that was last
night disappears. In the Teutoburg Forest, very few
trees are taller than 400 metres. Nonetheless, the forest was a
barrier for a very long time. For the most part, the cold season
sees very little snowfall. Usually, winters are
short and mild. Spring begins in March and this is when it starts to get
loud in the Teutoburg Forest. The year's first singers
have company. A wild boar is searching for
food in the thawed ground. The wild sow is not alone. Their young are barely a week old and don't dare to enter
the clearing until their mother has done so. They collect tasty titbits
beneath the foliage: acorns, beechnuts, but also
their first beetles and worms. The piglets do everything their
mother does when eating. More than anything else,
they remain close to her, as she knows only too well,
where to find the best food. The Spring warmth stimulates
the urge to play. The little wild boars
test their limits and practice for the coming years, when they will have to fight for
a female once they reach adulthood. A little later, the sow returns
to the depths of the forest. This is the signal the youngsters
have been waiting for: the wrangling for the
best places begins. Milk is more plentiful up front, which is why the strongest
always secure this place. A minute is usually enough
for the mother. It's time for a nap after suckling. The young wild boars keep
themselves mutually warm until they are able to regulate
their body temperatures themselves. The Teutoburg Forest is riddled
with valleys and canyons. Water collects here in streams, that often lead to
small forest ponds. Humidity and rising temperatures
signalize a special event. Close by Iburg Castle, the forest
comes alive in the twilight. The rustling on the ground has not
gone unnoticed by the eagle owl. The migration of the common toad
has begun. And the owl is on the hunt... Fortunately for the toad, the owl
has a mouse in its sights. The big owl has become numerous
again in the Teutoburg Forest. It breeds in the equally numerous
quarries of the low mountain range. Owls begin breeding in February. Once Spring begins, the offspring
are already three weeks old. The male toad is on his way to
the body of water from whence he once came
into the world. The mating season has arrived. A little later and the females also
leave their winter hideaways. Their route to the spawning
waters is full of males who have just one thing
on their minds... The male toads attempt
to climb on to the backs of their chosen partners, so that they can carry them
to the water. Once docked, a common toad male
never lets go. The fight for the ladies
is conducted energetically. Competing “singles” are deterred by
a hefty kick in the nether regions. At long last, the couple
arrive at the pond. In the following nights, countless
couples follow suit. The female lays the spawn
in four to five long strands that are fertilised by the male. This can take up to twelve hours. During this time, the couple swims
around the pond. These movements cause
the spawn strands to wrap themselves
around the aquatic plants, ensuring that they will not
drift away. Toads are so-called
'explosion spawner', that lay all of their eggs in water
in one fell swoop. Despite the idyllic surroundings – the Teutoburg Forest
is not a jungle. Spruce trees make up at least
a third of the wooded area. Even since the Middle Ages, cattle have been sent to graze
in the forests. The so-called grazing forests
have disappeared with the modernisation
of agriculture. They were obliged to make room for the economic forests
of spruce and beech. In the Wistinghaus Senne, scientists want to rebuild a
species-rich grazing forest. With a little help from
Scottish Highland cattle. The shaggy giants are undemanding
and spend the entire year outside. They graze until
the ground is bare, thus creating free spaces
for animals and plants that need forests flooded
with light. A rare project by German standards. In matters of nature conservation,
Exmoor ponies are also active. The horses received offspring
just two days ago. The mare has only just rejoined
the small herd. The fowl drinks mothers milk
several times per hour. The boy will soon eat grass
and play his part in maintaining the open areas
of the Senne. In the Spring, a race for
light begins for the plants in the forest. Wild garlic grows where it is
shadowy, humid and the soil calcareous. Toads too love humid mixed forests in which they can find food
and hiding places. The wild garlic forest serves as
their summer quarters. The sun reaches the forest floor as long as the trees
have no leaves. The early blossoming plants use this short time slot
for their appearance. Ferns compete with the
wild garlic for light. Wild garlic not only
radiates white – it also exudes a distinctive smell
that earned it its name. In the Teutoburg Forest, there is
room too for ancient beech trees. A paradise for woodpeckers. The sun warms the forest and lures
insects from their hideaways. Ideal conditions for birds that now
need to feed their offspring. Black woodpeckers feed their young
on protein-rich insects. After 17 days,
the crow-sized woodpeckers appear for the first time in
the entrance to their cave. Someone is bringing up their
young in a cave here too. A challenge for this little mite
of just eleven grams! The crested tit is dependent
on near natural forests. Her delicate beak can only
handle rotten wood. Now the Teutoburg Forest glows
in various green hues. The leafy blanket closes. Yet still, enough sunlight reaches
the small forest ponds. Supplying warmth, that the toad
eggs most desperately need. In the meantime, they have
developed into tiny larvae. Just how long the transition
period will last until they become
free-swimming tadpoles, depends on light and temperature. The toad's offspring are busy
searching for food the entire day. Initially, they are satisfied
with the leftovers of an eggshell, later they enhance their menu
with algae and plankton. Predators are attracted to
the commotion in the water. Dragonfly larvae. Patient hunters, just waiting
for something to move. Should a tadpole swim by
close enough, the larvae mouthpiece snaps shut
as fast as lightning. This helps to keep troublesome
rivals at bay. The majority of tadpoles survive
the dangerous period in the pond, thanks to the security that
life in a swarm provides. After two or three months,
the transition begins: the gills disappear and the tiny
amphibians grow legs and lungs. Now the miniscule toads
can leave the pond. They will return here as adults
in three years at the earliest. Since 2011, cattle and horses keep
the Wistinghaus Senne Forest open. The rare tree pipit benefits
from their deployment. As a ground nesting bird,
apart from trees and bushes, it needs a protective herb layer to be able to rear its
young successfully. Here, stocks have risen from five
to almost 80 breeding pairs – thanks to the
four-legged “lawnmowers”. The herd of Highland cattle has been behaving restlessly
for the past few days. One cow holds itself apart and keeps disappearing
into the forest. She has hidden something
in the dense undergrowth. It's the first calf
of the small herd to ever be born in the
Teutoburg Forest. After two days,
the time has arrived and the mother takes the small bull
with her to the herd. The first contact takes place
under her watchful gaze. From now on, mother and calf remain
in the safety of the herd. The familiar peace and
tranquillity returns. Cattle spend a major part
of the day ruminating. Large parts of the Teutoburg Forest
comprise beech trees, that grow exceptionally well
in the calcareous soil. And there is more than enough lime
in the low mountains. Until 65 million years ago, there was a sea here. The mussel and snail shells formed
extensive layers of calcium. The stone has been quarried here
for centuries. Roman snails also need calcium
in order to build their homes. They feed mainly on plants. The 40,000 teeth on their tongues rasp effortlessly through
leaves and grasses. Romans snails are hermaphrodites –
they produce both eggs and sperm. But they still require a partner
to propagate as they cannot
fertilize themselves. Their mating ritual is somewhat unconventional: They align themselves
against one another, feel one another and then skewer
one another with gypsobelums, or so-called love darts. In doing so, hormones
are transferred, which boost reproductive success. Eventually, mutual fertilisation
takes place. Once mating is over,
they go their own ways. A few days later, each snail digs
a small pit in the forest floor and fills it with up to 60 eggs. The procedure takes around
30 minutes per egg – snail pace. In around three weeks,
the mini-snails hatch. Their shells are still
thin and soft. They harden due to the
absorbance of calcium. And the damp soil ensures that the
tiny creatures don't dehydrate. Damp, uneven terrain – this is how the entire
Teutoburg Forest looked roughly 2,000 years ago. No one was keen on spending
any time in the eerie, dark forest
of the Teutons. Especially not the Roman troops. To this day, the Arminius or Hermann's Monument,
serves to remind us of the legendary battle that
took place in the 9th year AD. The dense forest led to disaster for Roman proconsul Varus
and his legions. The German forces, led by Hermann,
or Arminius the Cheruscan, dealt the Romans
a devastating blow. It was the beginning of the end
of the Roman occupation. Today, Hermann stretches his sword
some 53 metres toward the sky, making it Germany's highest statue. The Cheruscan prince has a
fantastic view from here, with one of the most beautiful
cities of the Teutoburg Forest as a backdrop. The old royal seat was capital
of the Free State of Lippe until 1947. The castle is at the centre
of the old town, with an adjacent marketplace. The castle has been inhabited
for 500 years; and even today, it is still
the family seat of the Princes of Lippe. The magnificent rooms, such as the
Red Hall and the Hunting Room, illustrate the eventful history
and the long tradition of nobility of the Lippe region. It is early summer. Led by an experienced sow, the wild boar mothers form a pack,
together with their young. They all gave birth to their shoats
at different times. The older ones already have
their adult fur, the latecomers,
their coloured stripes. Upbringing a la wild boar:
whoever doesn't know his place, is reprimanded. A simple shove is all that's needed
with the little ones, the sows sometimes resort to
muscle power for the older animals. The mothers accept no nonsense in
regard to hierarchy at meal times. There is, however, a hierarchy, in which each member has to find
his or her place. Whosoever asserts himself now, is later on above the others
in the rank order. In the Forest of Heroes, opposites attract: nowhere else in Germany do such contrasting landscapes
come so close to one another. The low mountain range, made of
lime, meets sandy lowlands. Home to the little dragon. Sand lizards. A female. The little reptile basks
in the warmth of the morning sun. The green-coloured male
has his territory here. He already has the female
under surveillance. At first, she keeps him
at a distance. But in the end, his wooing
is successful: for the time being, he is allowed
to remain in her company. A rival. Under no circumstances can the male
allow this on his territory. The intruder gives up – peddling with the front legs
is a sign of subservience. At last, the male can concentrate
on his lady friend again. At first, he grabs
the females tail, then sinks his teeth
into her flank. The pairing takes about 5 minutes. The wryneck also lives
in lizard territory. Like the red-backed shrike,
he too feeds on insects. And he has also found a cave. The shrill calls reveal: The wryneck belongs
to the woodpeckers. He's a rarity here, only to be
found at the edge of the Senne. The Teutoburg Forest
is a rain catcher. The wind drives the clouds
to the mountain ranges, over which they empty
their contents. Not a single drop goes lost
in the forest. Moss sucks in the surplus rain
like a sponge. They are the forests reservoir
and protect it from erosion. Moss can absorb many times
its own weight in water. The green labyrinth is an almost
impenetrable jungle for the ladybird larvae. She has her sights on aphids that are absorbing plant sap
in a small maple. But unfortunately, they are
being observed by ants: aphids excrete so-called honeydew. This sugary juice is a delicacy
for ants. Once at the top, the larvae
wastes no time. It has to hurry before the
custodians take notice. The ants form the majority
and are well armed. They sink their formidable 'teeth'
into the bodies of the larva. Faced with this superiority, the ladybird larvae has
just one possibility... Saved. Several insect species live under
the leaf canopy of the forest. It's a different story
outside of the forest. Modern agriculture makes
life difficult for them. Insects rarely find
habitats like these. In the summer, the daisy meadows bloom and exude
their typical fragrance. But their nectar is more appealing to insects like flies and bees. Wherever one finds
multitudes of insects, the red-backed shrike
operates stockpiling. He is not known for his benevolence
when it comes to sharing. In the well hidden shrike nest,
offspring have hatched. The parents are continuously
in search of food. Both parents have to hunt in order to satisfy all five
of their hungry chicks. The power sustenance ensures that the young are fully grown
within two weeks. Shrikes prey on animals up
to the size of a mouse. The freshly-hatched sand lizards
live precariously, so close to the hungry birds. Two things help them to survive: their camouflage and their speed. Even without the lizards, the
little shrikes still grow quickly. The edges of the forest
provide insects galore. In midsummer, the shadows of the
trees and the abundance of water promise a welcome cooling off
for the forest animals. During the greatest heat
of the day, the wild boars regularly
visit their mud pools. The animals cool off
in the murky puddles. Skin parasites are encapsulated
in the mud and mosquitoes have no chance of
even getting close to the skin. Dragonflies are also attracted
to the ponds and pools of the Teutoburg Forest. The male banded demoiselle is out
searching for a bride. As soon as it has discovered a
suitable female, courtship begins. If she is convinced by him,
mating can begin. This begins with the male seizing
his partner behind her head. But this togetherness
is soon history. The second male sees his chance,
but is forced to give up. Shortly afterwards, the female
pierces some aquatic plants and lays the fertilised
eggs inside. The next generation
has been taken care of. The Scottish Highland cattle
are also keen on a cooling bath in the ponds. For a short while, the water even
dispels the annoying flies. A region full of stories
and history – the Teutoburg Forest has always
fascinated people. Especially many legends
surround the Extern Stones, a 35-metre-tall
sandstone formation. Whether they served a Celtic
or Germanic sanctuary is still subject to conjecture. We do know that they originated
over 120 million years ago. Every year, more than 500,000
visitors come here and make the Extern Stones one of
the most popular attractions of the Teutoburg Forest. Whereas the animals appreciate
their practical value. Dormice find ideal
living conditions in the vicinity of the sand stones. They sleep through the day
in old tree hollows. At night, they head off
in search of food – juicy berries, flower buds,
bark or leaves. And the droppings of the wanderers
are a welcome diversion. The dormouse manages to eat
the apple in one summers night. Midsummer slowly draws to an end. The Exmoor ponies in the
Wistinghaus Senne spend the final hot days
beneath the trees. The grass in the shadows
is especially juicy. The foal has grown well and is hardly distinguishable
from his mother. The days grow shorter, the nights cooler. Rutting season for the deer begins. The young stags are not yet strong enough for
the contest for the females. They can use the autumn to collect
power food for the coming winter. With any luck, perhaps they will
be able to defy the top dog. The first cold nights transform
the Teutoburg Forest. Autumn begins with fog
and coloured leaves. Green chlorophyll is harvested, whilst the less valuable yellow
and red leaf pigments remain. It's time to take precautions. The squirrel has to eat enough to
build fat reserves for the winter. Additionally, it replenishes stocks
and hides acorns and nuts. For a short period, the forest
glows in an abundance of colour. The beech trees discard of
huge amounts of beechnuts. This is a fat-rich food concentrate
that finds many consumers. The wild boars also benefit
from the weeks of surplus. They are faced with
turbulent times, as autumn also marks the opening
of the mating season. The older males, who have spent the entire year
roaming the forest alone, now rejoin the pack. The wild sow shows little
enthusiasm initially – she alone decides
the moment of intimacy. He has to follow her patiently
and attempt to impress her. His repertoire is nothing
short of spectacular: pulling out all of the stops
includes grinding his teeth, spraying urine and constantly
chewing to form saliva – an irresistible mixture
for the female. Wild boars are true powerhouses, up to 1 metre 80 long and
200 kilograms in weight. The big male tries to find out,
which sows are receptive. A second boar joins the pack –
he too fancies his chances. But the colossus tolerates
no competition. He sports his broadside
and grinds his teeth. If that's not enough, he threatens
with his sharp canines. The fight has a contagious effect – and all males experience
increased hormone levels. So much so, that this young fellow
on the fringe of the pack, seizes his chance. The ranking order amongst the
larger animals is restored. The superior male will mate with
as many sows as he can in the coming days and weeks
and in doing so, ensure a new generation
of wild boar. The wild boar mating season
continues throughout winter and doesn't end until the
following February. Autumn also colours the leaves
surrounding the Arminius monument. The last tourists of the season
visit the scene, where, according to legend,
the Teutons brought the Roman legions advance
to a halt. It is, however, more likely that the battle took place near
the town of Kalkriese, some 100 kilometres
to the north of here. Nevertheless, Hermann will retain
his magnetical attraction. Cold winds initiate the winter. The situation has changed
for the ponies. Now they have to search beneath
the snow for anything edible. The next few months will be
very testing for all of the forest animals. The days in which everything was
in abundance are now over for the wild boars too. The best feeding grounds are now
vigorously defended. Other animals benefit
on days like these. This wild boar failed to survive
the hardships caused by winter. This is music in the ears
of the buzzards. But peace is not eternal. Food jealousy has broken out
amongst the birds of prey. The buzzard wants the carcass
all to himself. But the competitor is in no mood to
climb down and challenges the host. The fight appears brutal, however,
serious injuries are rare. Apart from the fact that
the carcass is big enough for all. Tension between the two brawlers
soon dissipates. Then, for a short while, peace
returns to the vast woods and hills of the Teutoburg Forest. Until a new, wild year begins – at the feet of old Hermann. The undisputed hero of the Teutoburg Forest.
