Visit by the Paderborn Anglo-German Club to the sheep farm at the Paderborn – Senne District Biological Station

Amidst high summer temperatures, the Anglo-German Club Paderborn visited the sheep farm at the Paderborn – Senne District Biological Station on Sunday, 28 June 2026. Despite the intense heat, the event attracted a great deal of interest and offered participants fascinating insights into the natural environment of the Senne and the work of the Biological Station.

After welcoming the club members – represented by the Chair, Prof. Dr. Ilka Mindt, and the British patron, Commander Colonel Tom Jefford – Normandy Barracks, Sennelager – Peter Rüther, Chairman and Managing Director of the association, and Christoph Schön, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, led the group on a walk through the stream, dune and heathland landscapes of the ‘Moosheide’ nature reserve. 

During the walk, the special features of this valuable area were highlighted, as were the diverse tasks undertaken by the Biological Station in managing and developing this and other protected areas. The participants learnt interesting facts about the unique cultural landscape – which is to be preserved – and its flora and fauna.

The afternoon then drew to a close with a tour of the sheep farm and a cosy get-together. The focus was on the work of the sheep farm and the herding of the 500 Heidschnucken sheep, a special type of moorland sheep, to preserve the Senne heathland. 

Shepherd Mike Lindley gave a vivid account of what a typical working day is like for a shepherd and explained how the Heidschnucken sheep, through their extensive grazing, make an important contribution to the maintenance of the heathland and thereby support numerous rare animal and plant species.

The members of the Anglo-German Club were impressed by the commitment to nature conservation and took the opportunity to ask numerous questions and engage in stimulating discussions. Additional informative details about hunting, the forest and wildlife in the region rounded off the visit.

“This visit was a successful combination of experiencing nature, learning and open discussion, and it will remain a fond memory for us all,” agreed all those involved.