Our wildlife

Compared with the tropical rainforest, the Allgäu only has little to offer in terms of bird and mammal diversity. The mammals of the Allgäu comprise Red Dear, Row Dear, Chamois, Alpine Ibex, Badger, Red Fox, Pine Marten, Weasel, several species of bats and shrews, Western Hedgehog, Northern Mole, Mountain Hare, rodents like Red Squirrel, Alpine Marmot, Common Hamster, Common Dormouse, Field Vole and some mice species. Occasionally the European Beaver migrates into the region and we regularly sight the Garden Dormouse in Pfeiffermühle. This is an unusual observation since this dormouse species is normally associated with orchards and vineyards. Pfeiffermühle is the fourth location with records of the Garden Dormouse in the region.

Upper row (left to right): Red Admiral on Agrimony, Rose Chafer on Bistort, Peacock on Geranium, bumblebee on Knapweed; bottom row: Oak Leaf Spider on Bishop’s Goutweed, Honeybee on Orpine, Burnet on Sheepsbit Scabious, hoverfly on Alpine Fleabane, Domestic Fly and hover fly on St. John’s Wort, Silver-washed Fritillary on Red Clover. © Michael Schneider, 2006

The richness of wild flowers offers ideal conditions for flower-visiting insects. It is no surprise to encounter a large number of butterflies, bumblebees and beetles on a sunny meadow in summer.

Longicorn beetles on Caraway, Ox-eye Daisy, Masterwort, Willow Gentian, Globular Orchid, Bishop’s Goutweed, Meadowsweet and Willowherb (left to right). © Michael Schneider, 2006

Rare Species
A number of rare, protected and peculiar creatures can be found near Pfeiffermühle. To these definitely belong bats that hunt for insects during dusk. Recently, a larger group of the protected Raven has established near Pfeiffermuehle, next to mountain Sorgschrofen. With a little bit of luck, you can observe rare birds of prey like Barn Owl, Golden Eagle and Tawny Owl. Other bird species are more common but certainly also very beautiful like the Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay and Alpine Chough. The protected Alpine Newts can be encountered in small lakes and ponds during spring. Like frogs they belong to the Amphibians. Their larvae already resemble the adults with the exception of the external gills that sick out of the back of the head like huge fans.

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