Local Information for visitors

Ireland

Posted by Simon Collins:

Top six birding areas in County Wexford, Ireland:
1. Tacumshin Lake: A large wilderness area of marsh, dunes, mudflats and lake - difficult to find access and way round. Regular stopping off point for American waders such as Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper. Good duck numbers in winter. Raptors include Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine and irregular SE Owl. Other specialties include garganey, reed warbler (rare in Ireland). Rarities at any time of the year. Visit their web site

2. Lady's Island Lake: Reed-fringed lake with small islands - terns including Roseate Tern, Mediterranean Gull. Regular American waders and rare terns. Visit their web site

3. Wexford Wildfowl Reserve: Flood meadows, lakes, sea bay and agricultural land with hides and visitor's centre. Renowned for flock of over 10,000 White-fronted Geese Nov-March, also rare geese and duck. Regular owls and raptors, occasional rarities. Good wader numbers outside summer. Visit their web site

4. Hook Head/Churchtown - long peninsula with village gardens and fields with scrub. Good in autumn for passerine migration (particularly late Sep/early Oct) - such as Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Firecrest, Pied Flycatcher and rarities. Seawatching can be reasonable at migration in stormy weather. Visit their web site

5. Carnsore Point - several access lanes to sea through scrub and fields. Best for migration in spring, can be good for seawatching in stormy weather. Visit their web site

6. Saltee Islands - small island off south coast. Good for passerine migration in Spring, not as good in Autumn. Seabirds galore on the cliffs and round the island including two gannet colonies, puffins, guillemots and razorbills. Visit their web site

Let me know if you want more detailed info such as access/directions and overview of species to be expected. Or some of the minor sites.
Kind regards
Simon Collins simoncollins65@hotmail.com



Southern California

Posted by Steve Sosensky:

It is very difficult to answer a general question about birding in Southern California (SoCal for short). Much depends on your style of birding, your available time and transportation, and your target species.
Including Death Valley (which is geographically contiguous with and most easily reached from SoCal), San Luis Obispo, Kern, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial Counties, SoCal is larger than many states and some countries. Elevation ranges from 286 feet below sea level at Badwater in Death Valley to 11,502 feet atop San Gorgonio Mountain. Habitats range from open ocean, sea shore, coastal wetlands and sage scrub, to riparian, alpine, high and low deserts, and, of course, urban. During the winter months, Mono County and the rest of Inyo County are also most easily reached from SoCal because the high sierra passes are closed by snow.
All this variety of habitat accommodates a large number of species throughout the year; more species, in fact, have been recorded in SoCal (555) than are represented on any set of Western North America bird call recordings currently being published (Stokes is highest with 551). Of these, 203 species are considered California specialties. In addition to all this, mega-rarities can appear anywhere in the state. In 2001, for example, Masked Booby, Short-tailed Albatross, Emperor Goose, Greater Sandplover, Common Greenshank, Ruddy Ground Dove, Nutting's Flycatcher, Rufous-backed Robin, and Northern Wheatear have all been seen. While these might not be birds around which to plan a trip, though some have, you wouldn't want to be out here anyway and miss them.
Then, there's your birding style. Casual birders visiting SoCal just want to know where to spend a few hours birding on their free day. Chasers and power listers want to find as many SoCal specialties as they can in a week or two. As you can see, without knowing this information about you, the question "I'm coming to SoCal between these dates. Where should I bird?" could require an answer long enough to fill a book. In fact, that book has already been written.
Therefore, the first step for any birder planning a visit to SoCal should be to purchase a copy of the ABA/Lane Guide "A Birder's Guide to Southern California" by Brad Schram. This book contains most of what you need to know to bird SoCal successfully. In addition to thorough directions to locations and species, there is a status and distribution chart in the back for the 415 regularly occurring species, and a detailed discussion of where to find each of our specialties.
We suggest that the best plan for a visitor to follow is to start with the above mentioned guide. Look at the checklist to determine which species are likely or possible during your visit. Compile a target list. Decide on an itinerary that fits your available time.
Join BirdWest or read its archives to check for rarities. Check out Joe Morlan's California County Birding website for web resources. Find and join the local email lists for the locations you will visit at Steve Holzman's clickable map.
Then, you will be prepared to email these lists and ask specific questions of locals in the know. You will find lots of friendly birders who are eager to help you have a fun and successful trip.

Good birding,
Steve Sosensky


Newfoundland

Posted by John Pratt:

Birding in Newfoundland can be exciting and enjoyable, but you need to prepare for your visit. Here are a few pointers that I hope will help.
First - The most important caveat is "Watch the Weather". Fog will make coastal birding frustrating or impossible. Feel free to ask your hosts or your hotel concierge or anyone, in fact. Be specific about the weather in the area where you plan to travel, since Newfoundland can have ten kinds of weather at once.
Second - bring LAYERS. A wind shell, including wind pants preferrably waterproof - and good footwear (nothing lighter than good walking shoes) are very highly recommended. Even in June, a light pair of gloves and a hat will sometimes be needed in early morning. A fleece, sweatshirt, or sweater than can easily be stuffed into your daypack will be worth its weight in gold.
Third - get a good, up-to-date highway map - it should be easily available locally if you can't get one before you leave home. Roads in and around St. John's have changed alignment recently, making older maps quite confusing.
Fourth - while roadside food is available all over the place, you might want to pack a lunch - and make sure you pack lots, because the fresh salt air will make you hungry. If you are a coffee fiend, bring a thermos flask with you. Roadside coffee in Newfoundland isn't very good, but you can fill up at a Tim Horton's Coffee Shop before you leave St. John's.

Where to go.
Here is some information for birders travelling around the southern Avalon Peninsula (the St. John's region). I suggest that you try to get a copy of a book called "A Birdfinding Guide to Canada - 2nd Edition" by J. Cam Finlay. I wrote the Newfoundland section in that book, and it is pretty helpful (if I do say so myself).

1) The Avalon Peninsula Loop. On the tourist maps, this is called "The Irish Loop" - follow the highway signs with the shamrock on them!. It takes you south from St. John's along the Atlantic coast (what Newfoundlanders call "The Southern Shore"). There are many good birding locations along this route - allow a FULL DAY to explore the opportunities. If you do the Southern Shore, you will NOT have time to go to Cape St. Mary's on the same day - more about that later.
The Southern Shore allows you the choice to take a boat tour to the Witless Bay Islands Seabird reserve. There, you will see northern gannets, herring gulls, black-backed gulls, common terns, Atlantic puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, common murres, black guillemots, razorbills, and possibly thick-billed murres, Arctic terns and Atlantic fulmar. You should watch for Manx shearwater. Greater and sooty shearwaters are possible if the timing is right, although the southern shearwaters have been showing up later than mid-June in recent years. All of these species can be seen from the land as well as from a boat, but you get a lot closer to them on the boat trip. You cannot land on the colonies. The boat trip takes a couple of hours, and I expect it costs about $35.00 Canadian. The best-known operators are O'Briens and Gatherall's, both of which run their tours out of Bay Bulls. You may also see humpback whales on these tours.
South of Bay Bulls/Witless Bay, there are a number of good birding locations. Look for the roadsigns directing you to Tors Cove. If you drive out to this small community and then drive south along the coast road toward the big church on the hilltop, you will come to an excellent vantage point for observing the seabird colonies from land with a telescope. The sheer cliffs of the seabird islands provide nesting sites for Northern fulmar, as well as many other species. You really need a 'scope to take advantage of this opportunity, however.
If you go to Tors Cove, you will have to back-track to get back on to the Irish Loop. Continue SOUTH towards Ferryland. This is the site of Lord Baltimore's colony of Avalon. Lord Baltimore was also responsible for settling Baltimore, Maryland. There are archeological sites and a museum in Ferryland that are worth looking at. I often say that if Ferryland was in the US, it would be a huge tourist attraction, but because it's in Newfoundland no one seems to know about it. Ferryland can be a good birding location for passing seabirds, but it isn't anything special unless you want to make the trek to the lighthouse. The road to the lighthouse is usually impassable by car, so it requires that you walk - allow a couple of hours. (it isn't a high priority for any local birders, so unless it interests you I would give it a miss).
South again, towards Fermuse and Renews. Renews Harbour is an excellent place to stop. On the south side of the bridge that you cross as you enter the town, there is a small road turning to your left - to the east. Drive out there. You will see a small, low, grass-covered island in the lagoon. This is an Arctic tern colony. There are common terns present, too, so it provides an excellent opportunity to compare these two very similar species. There has been a hyprid herring/lesser black-backed gull in Renews for years. Many birders report this bird and wonder what it is. You may see it - now you're warned!
The outside of the long beach at Renews is a good place to check for shorebirds, especially at low tide. Walking the beach may produce sparrows and songbirds, as well. Renews is a high-quality destination, and it's worth a bit of time to poke around the shoreline and the town itself - especially on the north side.
After you leave Renews, continue SOUTH until you come to the entrance to Chance Cove Provincial Park. Chance Cove is a good place to check for seabirds on the water, and it's worth driving down if you have a scope and the weather is good. I don't know if there is a day-use fee or not. If there is it won't be very much. Because Chance Cove is overlooked by a fairly high hill, you can scan the entire cove from one spot. There are often seals at Chance Cove, although you are unlikely to see them out of the water.
Return to the Irish Loop and continue south towards Portugal Cove South. This is the "jumping off point" for Cape Race. The road to Cape Race can be a bit dicey - there are some notable valleys and it's a gravel surface - ask at the store in the town about the road conditions if it worries you. You don't have to go to Cape Race, but if you want to you need to allow about three hours to enjoy it properly. If you DO go, you ought to check Drook and Long Beach. These are the only places where you will see any signs of habitation close to the road, so they are easy to identify. I think the local development association may have put up roadsigns that tell you the distances to these places. By the way, this is also the way to get to Mistaken Point, a UNESCO world heritage site where you can see some very ancient fossils. However, this requires a long walk and is really an excursion in itself.
From Portugal Cove South you begin to turn west towards Trepassey Bay. The waters of Biscay Bay are worth a scan for scoters and loons, and other seaducks. Even in mid-June you have a chance for red-necked grebe and red-throated loon at this location although it's getting pretty late in the year.
If you haven't had a good seabird "fix" by this point, consider driving to Cape Pine and St. Shotts as you approach Trepassey. Both these locations offer good seabird and whale watching from the coast. You may also see caribou along the highway - in fact, this could begin as early on the drive as the town of Cappahayden, back near Renews. These are woodland caribou from the Avalon herd - the most southerly herd still naturally ocurring anywhere in the world.
Trepassey offers a chance to get a restaurant meal at the hotel there, and it also offers some birding opportunities. If you drive into town and then take a left just after you pass the cemetery, you will drive out along the inner harbour with the water on your right. Watch for common black-headed gull in this area.
Continuing on from Trepassey, you will come to St. Stephens/Peter's River/St. Vincent's - three communities that run together at the mouth of a large inlet called Holyrood Pond. The long storm beach is an excellent bird and whale watching site. At the eastern end of the beach (closest to Trepassey) you can drive out onto a hilltop and survey the entire bay from a high vantage point. Don't forget to check the water on the inside of the beach, wher you may see large flocks of gulls and terns.
From this point, you begin to turn north, and your birding day is coming to a close. On the way back towards St. John's you can go to Gaskiers Pt. LaHaye, where there are seabird viewing opportunities. Drive out to the small lighthouse overlooking St. Mary's Bay.
[IMPORTANT NOTE: You will drive through the community of St. Mary's. This is NOT the location of CAPE ST. MARY'S!!! Cape St. Mary's is on the western side of St. Mary's Bay, Closer to Placentia Bay.]
At this point I suggest that you point yourself back to St. John's. You will want a rest!

2) Cape St. Mary's - this is an entirely different route, and again it should be treated as a full-day event. Leave early and take the Trans Canada Highway to the intersection of the Salmonier Line (Route 90). Go South towards St. Mary's Bay until you reach a fork in the road that offers you a right turn towards Colinet. Go right at this intersection, and drive until you see a left turn towards North Harbour. Go left at this intersection towards North Harbour. Stay RIGHT when the road forks, so that you have the waters of North Harbour on your LEFT. Continue along this road towards the town of Branch. On the way, be alert for black-backed woodpeckers, gray jays, gray-cheeked thrushes, rusty blackbirds, pine grosbeaks, bald eagles and ospreys. Stop in areas with wooded cover to look for some of these species as well as boreal chickadees. Just before you reach Branch you will come to Red Head River, which is deep in a wooded valley. You can stop here for a break, and do some birrding along the bank of the river. There's parking on the downstream side of the bridge, and the alder-covered floodplain is a good place to look for breeding warblers - notably yellow, Wilson's, black-and-white, blackpoll, yellow-rumped, and American redstart. Should also be good for yellow-bellied flycatcher and swamp sparrow.
The harbour at Branch is worth a scan for seabirds. The large flat floodplain on the upstream side of the bridge leading into the community is also a good place to check with a scope - especially if the tide is out.
Continue west from Branch rowards St. Bride's until you see the left-hand turn to Cape St. Mary's. The road to "The Cape" can produce willow ptarmigan, short-eared owl, northern harrier, pine grosbeak, American pipit, and horned lark among other species.
Once at the sanctuary, check in at the visitor centre - they will take good care of you. The visitor centre has washrooms, displays, and a good gift and book shop, but no canteen. (See the earlier note about packing a lunch).
Cape St. Mary's offers you a chance for close looks at northern gannet, common and thick-billed murres, razorbill, black guillemot, black-legged kittiwake, great cormorant, bald eagle, raven, horned lark, American pipit and savannah sparrow. It is well-known for vagrants, and with some luck you could see a far wider variety of species. Unfortunately, it is very suceptable to fog in mid-June, although this does not entirely destroy the birding opportunities and in some ways makes for a very memorable experience. Be careful at Cape St. Mary's - the cliffs are 400ft high, there are no guardrails or signs, and the trail is not surfaced.
The Cape St. Mary's trip is a day in itself. You can return via the same route you followed to get to Cape St. Mary's or you can go back via Placentia - a longer but arguably more interesting route. Bird as you go, following your instinct. You will notice stands of dry, brittle conifers along the route - particularly just to the north of Patrick's Cove. These can be very good places to listen and look for gray-cheeked thrush.

3) Half-day birding around St. John's
I would spend the half day in and around St. John's, looking for northeastern passerines. Cape Spear, North America's most easterly point, is only a 20 minute drive outside the city, and it's an excellent place to start your day. It will probably be chilly, so bring your hat and gloves - even in June and July! The wooded hillsides just inland from Cape Spear (along the road that leads from St. John's) can be excellent places to check for boreal species like crossbills, gray jay, rusty blackbird, boreal chickadee and gray-cheeked thrush.
There are lots of good walking trails around the city. Get a copy of the Grand Concourse Trail Map - it should be easy to locate at the St. John's tourist information centre at City Hall (or at your hotel). The trails around Kent's Pond and Long Pond are superb for passerines. You should also check Bowering Park in the west end of the city. Finally, the trail that runs from the west end of the harbour to Bowering park along the old railway line (it's part of the Trans-Canada Trail) is a nice, easy walk with lots of good habitat for birds.
Concentrate your efforts around the various major water bodies that dot the city. The harbour is good for gulls. Quidi Vidi Lake, Long Pond, Kent's Pond, Burton's Pond (on the Memorial University campus) and Mundy Pond are escellent locations for waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds in season. Make use of the trails that ring Mundy Pond, Long Pond, Kent's Pond, and Quidi Vidi Lake. There are a variety of habitats along these trails where warblers, sparrows, and boreal songbirds can be found.
As a general note, remember to check nf.birds, an on-line newsgroup, where you can find recent information about bird sightings. You can find more information about Newfoundland birding at my website,
Pinfeathers

All the best,
John Pratt


Rhode Island

Posted by Jeff Rose:

Swan Point Cemetary
585 Blackstone Blvd.
Providence RI 02906 (401)-272-1314
close to 200 species have been recorded here, mainly woodland species, many warblers, best time to go is definitely spring migration however fall is quite productive too.

George B. Parker Woodland
1670 Maple Valley Road
(401)-295-8283
An Audubon property consisting of 860 acres containg woodland trails, fields, and brooks breeding worm-eating warbler, scarlet tanager, ovenbirds and many other species of course, all seasons are productive with winter being the least favorable.

Block Island
Block Island is a small island lying 12 miles off of RI's southern coast, A ferry (both highspeed, and regular) departs for the island from Pt. Judith in South Kingston. Nature Conservancy plays a major role in environmental protection of this unique island which is a major stop for migrating birds on the Atlantic Flyway, with almost anything being possible including a number of pelagic species on the trip to the island fall migration is absolutely the best time of year, with spring being productive too.
Block Island Tourism Council
PO Box 356
Block Island, RI 02807
1-800-383-BIRI or
RI Chapter Office
The Nature Conservancy
159 Waterman St.
(401)331-7110...Block Island Program, Scott Coming-(401)466-2129

Sachuest Point, National Wildlife Refuge
Over 200 species have been recorded or are supported here, trails overlooking the ocean provide great views of sea ducks and other waterfowl, great place for a scope, best time is migration of course but winter provides great opportunities for many wintering eiders, (some years the king does turn up here), scoters, mergansers...
a brand new visitor center has been built.
the refuge is just past Newport on Aquidneck Island
CONTACT INFO.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
3679 D Old Post Rd.
Box 307
Charlestown, RI 02813
(401)364-9124

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Charlestown, RI
(same contact info. as Sachuest)
800 acres on RI's southern coast, providing habitat of upland forest, 1.5 mile barrier beach, RI's only undeveloped salt pond, grasslands (part of a grassland restoration project. A platform overlooks the pond which is a major stop for migration waterfowl including the occassional Eurasian wigeon, over 300 bird species, 40 mammal, 20 reptile and amphibian,
just down the road from-
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, Charlestown, RI (same contact)
900 acres consisting of saltmarshes, kettle ponds, freshwater wetlands, maritime shrublands, and forest habitat, over 200 species have been recorded here with 70 nesting on the property.

Napatree Point (Watch Hill)
Westerly, RI 02891
1/2 mile beach separates Little Narragansett Bay from the Ocean, a small trail around the salt marsh...low tide is the ideal time of day to bird. Least Terns and Piping Plovers nest here, migration provides many opportunities for raptors and shorebirds.

Well I hope this provides at least some useful info. for you. If you need anything else, feel free to contact me.
Jeff Rose
Jpileatus@aol.com


Southern Ontario, Canada

Posted by Knud Rasmussen:

Knud Rasmussens’s guide to Southern Ontario.
Depending very much about how much time you have for birding these would be my recommendations, assuming you start out from Toronto.

Late April-May and August-September:
Leslie Spit and Toronto Island
http://www.interlog.com/~fos/
Both parks are located close to downtown Toronto and are easily reached using public transport.
For Toronto Island, you will have to take a ferry from the foot of Yonge Street. Early morning you will find excellent birding for migrants since no visitors are allowed overnight.
Leslie Spit is a manmade peninsular located just east of the islands. This place is only open for the public in weekends with only bicycle riders, joggers and birdwatchers allowed in. Not even mans best friend is allowed and do not be surprised to come face to face with a coyote or other wild animals.

If you have a full day and do not mind getting up early in the morning and drive for 2 to 3 hours here are some of the places I recommend.

Rondeau Provincial Park (about three hour drive west from Toronto)
http://www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca/
This time of year birders have the park for them self and on a good day you will see many warblers and other migrants as well as shorebirds and Bald Eagles.
Point Pelee National Park (about four hour drive west from Toronto)
http://www.out-there.com/ppnpk.htm
It is a great place for birdwatching in the spring but you will find a lot of people there and unless you like to watch a bird together with 20 other birders it is properly not the place for you.
If you go, it is better to stay for a few days but bear in mind accommodations has to be booked way in advance.
If you go you should also set a day off for Pelee Island.

Thickson’s Wood (about one hour drive east of Toronto)
http://www.thicksonswoods.com/index.html
This is a small old growth forest located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the middle of an industrial area. It is well worth a visit and on a good day the warblers can be spectacular.
A little further east you will find Second Marsh
http://secondmarsh.science.uoit.ca/
Here you will see waterfowl, shorebirds and Little Gulls.

Presquile Provincial Park (about two hour drive east of Toronto)
http://www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca/
This park is great for migrating shorebirds and other passerines.

Prince Edward County (about four hour drive east of Toronto)
http://www.pec.on.ca/other/birds.html
You will find some great birding here but it is best to spend a couple of days staying in one of the many B&B’s

Carden Plain (about three hours drive north east of Toronto)
http://www.cardenplainimportantbirdarea.com/
This is one of my favourite birding spots and one of the few places in Ontario to see Loggerhead Shrike, Upland Sandpipers and Snipes. Many Bluebirds, Meadowlarks, Bobolinks and if you get there early enough there is a good change for Rails.

Algonquin Provincial Park (about three and a half hours drive north of Toronto)
http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/
For birdwatchers I think this park is great in the fall and early winter. Boreal Chickadee, Grosbeaks, Spruce Grouse and don’t be surprised to meet a moose.

Summer:
Most birds are busy raising their families and the mosquitoes are fierce up north.

Winter:
Niagara Falls (about one hour drive south of Toronto)
Niagara Falls is not just about honeymooners since some of the best gull watching anywhere is found here. Remember to dress warmly since it can be very cold.

Presquile Provincial Park (about two hour drive east of Toronto)
http://www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca/
This park is great for waterfowl during the winter


Oregon

Posted by Chuck Gates:

Alder Springs
FROM HWY 97 Just north of Terrebonne, turn west on Lower Bridge Rd. Travel about 10 miles and turn left on Holmes Rd. Travel 2.2 miles to the entrance road on the right. Turn in and go a short distance to a gate. This gate is unlocked but needs to be closed behind you. Travel another 5 miles to Alder Springs.
FROM SISTERS
From Sisters travel 5 miles east on Hwy 126. Turn left on Holmes Rd. Travel about a mile and a half to a “T” in the road. Take a right and go 6.5 miles to milepost 7. Turn left onto the entrance road to Alder Springs.

Alfalfa – DeLorme
From Bend, take Hwy 20 East to the Powell Butte Hwy (Prineville Cutoff), take the Powell Butte Hwy ½ mile to Alfalfa Market Rd.. Turn east and follow Alfalfa Market Rd. to Alfalfa.

Buckhorn Rd./ Barr Rd. – Delorme
Take Hwy 126 west out of Redmond, Go past Cline Falls State Park and Eagle Crest. Continue west for about 5 miles looking for the Buckhorn Rd. cross street sign. Turn south on Buckhorn (this is actually Barr Rd. on the maps – Buckhorn goes north). Continue on this dirt Rd. until it forks. Take the left fork and continue on for ? until you come to a cross Rd. and an open sage area on your right. This sage area is productive for Sage Sparrow.

Calliope Crossing - DeLorme
From Sisters, travel south on N. Locust St on the east end of Sisters. This road will become Camp Polk Road as it leaves Sisters. Travel several miles and look for Indian Ford Rd. on your left. Take Indian Ford to Pine St. (this is difficult to see, it’s just beyond milepost 2 from the junction of Camp Polk Rd. and Indian Ford Rd.). Take a left at Pine St. and park before the creek.

Camp Polk Meadow - DeLorme
This location is restricted to people who have taken the orientation course for Camp Polk Meadow. This course describes the boundaries of the property and how to record the bird life at CPM. Casual visitation is not allowed past the parking area. Take Camp Polk Rd. north out of Sisters (Camp Polk is called N. Locust St. on the east side of Sisters). Travel several miles and look for the Jct of Wilt Rd. and Camp Polk Rd. (If you continue straight north, the road you’re on will become Wilt Rd., you must turn right to stay on Camp Polk Rd.). Travel a short distance and look for the __________signs on your left.

Camp Sherman - DeLorme
Travel west from Sisters, past Black Butte Ranch and before Suttle Lake. Turn left on Rd 14 which is labeled “Camp Sherman Rd. Follow this several miles to Camp Sherman.

Cline Falls State Park - DeLorme
Travel west on Hwy 126 from Redmond (about 2 miles past the last light). Just before you enter the canyon created by the Deschutes River, look for the sign to Cline Falls SP. Turn left into the park.

Cold Springs CG - DeLorme
Option #1 Coming into Sisters from the east you can take a turn (turn lane) to the left just passed the Sisters Town Pumphouse gas station onto Hood Street. Stay on Hood all the way, passed Les Schwab and the new development at that end of town, and at the 3-way stop sign, turn left. That road is the same one you used to access from Hwy 20 but now can't.
Option #2 is to go thru Sisters on Hwy 20; passed the USFS office off to the right (north) and just before the Three Winds Shopping Center there is a left turn lane onto a little spur road that accesses the new visitor's information center/bathrooms on the west end of town. There is some sort of stone welcome to Sisters sign there. Take that left and go straight to the stop sign. At that point you will be facing the stop sign you would be at if you'd come down Hood Street! So turn RIGHT here and you're good to go.
Option #3 is to go passed the Three Winds Shopping Center and take the next left (I think there is a turn lane here, too). I believe the road is Barclay Drive (there is a Best Western across the hwy at this point and when you turn left, a Comfort Inn on your right, a gas station on your left. Continue on this road (it changes names, but make no turns). This road goes between the Sisters Middle School and the Sisters High School. It "T's" onto Hwy 242 at which point you turn right and Cold Springs is just down the road a few miles.

Crooked River Canyon - DeLorme
From Prineville, take Main St. south until it becomes Hwy 27. Take this road south for several miles and you will enter the canyon. The canyon is approximately 20 miles long at this location and the road will take you over Bowman Dam (Prineville Reservoir on your left) and will continue all the way south to Hwy 20 (Burns Hwy).

Cultus Lake - DeLorme
Travel south from Bend on US 97 for approximately 14 miles. Turn right (west) on South Century Drive toward Sunriver. Follow this main road as it curves through Sunriver and becomes Spring River Road, then Forest Service Road 40. In about 20 miles, FS 40 intersects Cascade Lakes Highway/FS 46. Turn left onto FS 46 and drive 1.2 miles to FS 4635 on the right. Turn onto FS 4635 (toward Cultus Lake Resort/Cultus Lakes). You will pass the entrance road to Cultus Lake Resort after 1.7 miles on FS 4635. Continue straight past the resort (the road designation changes to FS 100). In another 0.1 mile, park in a pullout on the right (across from a day-use picnic area and beach). For a map of Cultus Lake, go to http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/menasha/mbik_or3.htm

Drake Park - DeLorme
Follow the signs to Downtown Bend. Drake park is south and east of downtown.

Elk Lake Burn - DeLorme
From Hwy 97 in Bend, take the Colorado St. Exit. Go 1.6 miles on Colorado to a Circle and take Century Dr. out of the Circle. Travel 30 miles (11 miles past Mnt. Bachelor) and watch for the signs to Elk Lake. The burn is right next to the road. Locate local side roads and hike into the burn.

Entrada Lodge Burn - DeLorme
From Hwy 97 in Bend, take the Colorado St. Exit. Go 1.6 miles on Colorado to a Circle and take Century Dr. out of the Circle. Travel a few miles until you begin to see burned trees on both sides of the road. This is the Entrada Burn. It’s very close to the Entrada Lodge so that’s why it’s called the Entrada Burn. Go past the lodge and look for side roads off to your left to access the burn.

Eyerly Burn - DeLorme
SUMMER ACCESS
Travel west out of Sisters for about 5 miles until you come to Indian Ford Rd. Turn north on Indian Ford for a short distance and turn left on Forest Rd. 11. After about 10 miles, Forest Rd. 11 changes to Forest Rd. 1190. Take 1190 for another mile and you will see the junction of Forest Rd. 100. From here, use your Forest Service map to access roads into the burn.
WINTER ACCESS
From Madras, travel south on Hwy 97 for about 9 miles. Look for the signs to Culver and The Cove Palisades State Park. Follow those signs down into the state park. Stay on the main road until you have crossed over two bridges. After you have climbed out of the canyon past the second bridge, you will be on Forest Rd. 63. Continue on 63 to the jct of Forest Rd. 64. Turn right on 64 and go about a mile and turn left (this is still 64). Go 9 miles to Prairie South Campground. Use your Forst Service Map to maneuver around the burn from here.

Fort Rock - DeLorme
Travel south out of Bend toward LaPine. Go through LaPine and turn SE on Hwy 31 (follow the signs to Lakeview). Stay on 31 until you come out of the forest. You will enter a flat sage area and look for the signs to Fort Rock off to the east.

Glaze Meadow - DeLorme
Eastern Access:
Turn off Hwy 20 just opposite Indian Ford Camp Ground on a Forest Service Rd. Immediately there is a turn off to the left (302) but ignore this and continue to the right. After .1 mile there is another turn off to the right but ignore this and continue on to the right on the main track. After .2 mile there is a major turn off to the right. Continue by vehicle on the road you came heading NW for another .7 miles and turn to the left on a major track. This will take you very quickly down to the gate (with reflectors on it) at the corner of a small butte and the creek. Park here.
Western Access:
Head down Cold Springs road (1012) from Hwy 20 and after .9 miles turn right to Graham Corral. After .5 mile turn off to the right on 335 and this takes you onto the power line road. Keep following the power lines for .7 miles until you come to a major gate. Park here. Cross the gate and continue on the main track NW.

Green Ridge - DeLorme
Travel west out of Sisters about 5 miles to Indian Ford Rd. Turn north on Indian Ford and travel just a short distance and turn left on Forest Rd. 11. Take this road about 10 miles until the pavement ends and take a left on Forest Rd. 1150. Go 6 miles and turn left on Forest Rd. 800. Follow the signs for 2 miles to the lookout. To explore more of this ridge, purchase a Deschutes Nat. Forest Map from any Forest Service Office. Gutierrez Ranch - DeLorme Pg 80 D-4 This is a private ranch and access is unavailable to the public. Contact Chuck Gates at cgates@empnet.com or call 541-923-1320 for access.

Hatfield Lake - DeLorme
Hatfield Lake is the sewage treatment facility for the city of Bend. Access is limited to walking into the ponds. The first pond is only ¼ mile from the front gate but the back ponds are more than a ½ mile hike in. There are some local people that have keys to the gate and can lead you in. Contact Judy Meredith or Dean Hale for driving access (Judy is 389-4039 or jmeredit@bendnet.com. Dean is 388-1770 or dhale@bendnet.com). The easiest way to access the ponds if you don’t know Bend very well is to head east out of Bend on Hwy 20. A few miles past the urban sprawl, you will see the signs for Prineville. This is the Powell Butte Hwy. Take the Powell Butte Hwy north for several miles until you pass the Bend Airport. Continue past the airport on the Powell Butte Hwy and take it as it turns first east and then back north. Just after the north turn, look for McGrath Rd. Take McGrath west until it ends. Park here and enter at the gate. The first pond can be seen from the gate. The other ponds are farther to the north and cannot be seen from the gate. For those that know Bend well, take Butler Market Rd. from Bend and travel east. Stay on Butler Market as it winds its way east. It will dead-end at the Powell Butte Hwy (Bend Airport). Turn north on the Powell Butte Hwy and take it as it turns first east and then back north. Just after the north turn, look for McGrath Rd. Take McGrath west until it ends. Park here and enter at the gate. The first pond can be seen from the gate. The other ponds are farther to the north and cannot be seen from the gate.

Haystack Reservoir - DeLorme
On Hwy 97, go south of Madras about 9 miles past the turnoff to Culver. Look for Jericho Lane. Take Jericho to the east and travel about a mile. Follow the signs to Haystack Reservoir on Haystack Dr. which is south of Jericho Lane.

Hosmer Lake - DeLorme
From Hwy 97 in Bend, take the Colorado St. Exit. Go 1.6 miles on Colorado to a Circle and take Century Dr. out of the Circle. Go 33 miles on Century Dr., past Elk Lake, and turn on Forest Rd. 4625. Turn left and go a little over a mile to Hosmer.

Hwy 27 - DeLorme
This is the connection route between Prineville and Hwy 20 (Burns Hwy). From Prineville, take Main St. South. As you leave town, this road becomes Hwy 27. From Bend, take Hwy 20 East. Just before the town of Millican, look for Hwy 27 going north off of Hwy 20 (follow the signs to Prineville)

Indian Ford CG - DeLorme
From Sisters, Take Hwy 126/20 west out of Sisters following the signs to Salem. Travel on this road and look for a tall, tree covered Butte to the NW. This is Black Butte. Before you get to Black Butte, look off to the north for Indian Ford Rd. The campground is very near the junction of Indian Ford Rd. and Hwy 126/20.

Lake Billy Chinook - DeLorme
From Madras, travel south about 8 miles on Hwy 97. Turn west on SW Iris Drive and travel about 4 miles through the town of Culver until Iris dead ends at Feather Dr. Turn north on Feather and take it several miles following the signs to Cove Palisades State Park. Turn west on Frazier Dr. and turn west at the Cove Palisades Store. Follow the signs to Lake Billy Chinook.

Little Deschutes River - DeLorme
The Little Deschutes River runs North roughly paralleling Hwy 97 south of Sunriver. There are several ways to access this river. On Hwy 97, just south of the Sunriver exit, look for State Park Rd. (follow the signs west to LaPine State Park). This road will cross the river after a mile or so. Farther South on Hwy 97, look for Burgess Rd. just north of the town of LaPine. This road will also cross the river. South of LaPine, you can take Masten Rd west for another access.

Lower Bridge - DeLorme
From Redmond, go south on Hwy 97 to the town of Terrebonne. On the north edge of town (at the bottom of a hill) you will see signs for Crooked River Ranch. Turn west on Lower Bridge Road. Stay on this road until it crosses the Deschutes River. Park in the parking area before the bridge.

Madras Sewer Ponds - DeLorme
From downtown Madras, turn east on “C” St. and follow it out of town. This road becomes SE Grizzly Rd. and will pass right next to the sewer ponds. There is no access to these ponds but they can easily be viewed from the road.

Metolius Preserve - DeLorme
For maps, directions, and information, go to http://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/MetoliusMap.htm
TO SOUTH FORK KIOSK FROM SISTERS
Drive 10.6 miles west of Sisters on Hwy 126/20. Take a right on Forest Rd. 2064. Travel 2.6 miles on 2064. Turn right on Forest Rd. 800. Go ¼ mile and turn right on Forest Rd. 810. Go ¼ mile to the kiosk. Maps are available here.
TO NORTH FORK KIOSK FROM SISTERS
Drive 9.8 miles west of Sisters. Take a right on Rd. 14 (Camp Sherman). Travel 2.6 miles until you come to a “Y”. Stay left and go 2.2 miles. Turn left on Forest Rd. 1216. Drive 1.4 miles and take a left on Forest Rd. 600. Drive ¼ mile to the kiosk. Maps are available here.

Millican Lek - DeLorme
This area is now restricted during much of the spring due to very low breeding numbers so make sure you check with locals before you head out there. From Bend, travel east on Hwy 20 about 10 miles until you come over a steep hill (Horse Ridge). Just as you come off the hill, turn to the right. The name of the road is not signed out there. Maps give different names like Fort Rock Rd but there is no sign that says that. The Delorme has no name for it. There is a sign at the turn that says "to Evans Wells". The turn is exactly at milepost 21. Then it is 1.2 miles to the turn for the grouse. Look for a dirt road off to the right that has a wooden, single post gate. Take this road to the parking area.

North Shore Rd. - DeLorme
North Shore Rd. follows the Crooked River as it enters Prineville Reservoir State Park southeast of Prineville. From Downtown Prineville, take the main drag through town (east). At the eastern edge of town, there is a stoplight. Turn right at this light onto Combs Flat Rd. Take Combs Flat as it leaves Prineville. Just outside of town, turn south on Juniper Canyon Rd. and follow the signs to Prineville Reservoir State Park. Don’t go into the park. Stay on Juniper Canyon until it reaches Jasper Point State Park. There is a road that skirts the west edge of the park. This is North Shore Rd. It is impassible if it’s been raining so beware. For a different access, stay on Combs Flat Rd. and ignore the Juniper Canyon turnoff. Combs Flat becomes the Paulina Hwy and travels for 12 miles until it reaches the Crooked River. Right at this junction, turn right onto North Shore Rd.

Ochoco Reservoir - DeLorme
Ochoco Reservoir is located 5 miles east of Prineville on Hwy 126.

Paulina - DeLorme
From Downtown Prineville, take the main drag through town (east). At the eastern edge of town, there is a stoplight. Turn right at this light onto Combs Flat Rd. Take Combs Flat as it leaves Prineville. This road becomes the Paulina Hwy. Take this road 55 miles to Paulina. Make sure you stop in at the Post Store for supplies. There is a store and gas in Paulina.

Pine Mountain - DeLorme
From Bend, travel east on Hwy 20 toward Burns. Just after the town of Millican (near milepost 26), look for Pine Mnt Rd off to the South. This road takes you to the summit of Pine Mnt. Side roads can access the backside of the mountain. If you have time, explore these back roads. You can even access the summit from the south side.

Prineville Reservoir - DeLorme
From Downtown Prineville, take the main drag through town (east). At the eastern edge of town, there is a stoplight. Turn right at this light onto Combs Flat Rd. Take Combs Flat as it leaves Prineville. Just outside of town, turn south on Juniper Canyon Rd. and follow the signs to Prineville Reservoir State Park. You can go into the park itself or stay on Juniper Canyon to access the lake at several locations.

Prineville Sewer Ponds - DeLorme
Currently, the Prineville Ponds are open to the birding public. There is a massive construction project underway to expand the ponds. Future access is up in the air. There is a gate that is sometimes locked. If you are going to visit these ponds, please contact Chuck Gates for updates on access (cgates@empnet.com or 541-923-1320) The Crooked River borders the west end of Prineville. There is a bridge over the river that enables Hwy 126 to cross. Just west of that bridge is a road that follows the river called the O’neil Hwy. This road passes right by the ponds.

Redmond Sewer Ponds - DeLorme
The Redmond Sewer Ponds are currently off limits to all birders unless accompanied by authorized personnel. Kim Owen and Chuck Gates have been given permission to escort people onto these ponds. Contact Kim or Chuck if you want to visit. Chuck Gates at cgates@empnet.com or 541-923-1320, Kim Owen at kimdelo@yahoo.com or 541-771-6568

Rimrock Springs WMA - DeLorme
Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management area is located on Hwy 26 between Madras and Prineville. From Madras, travel south on Hwy 97 to the Jct of Hwy 26. Take 26 SE (follow the signs to Prineville). About 10 miles down this road is a wayside with bathrooms and a hiking trail to access the wildlife area. I would recommend traveling a mile further toward Prineville and looking for a dirt road called Ramms Rd. (this is sometimes labeled as Grizzly Rd on some maps). Take this road for ¾ of a mile and turn left on NFD Rd. 1270. This will take you to a parking area and better access to the wildlife area.

Shevlin Park (Bend) DeLorme
From 3rd St. in Bend, go west on Greenwood. Greenwood changes to Newport Blvd and then Shevlin Rd. Go down into the canyon and turn left into the parking area. About 5 miles from 3rd St.

Smith Rock State Park - DeLorme
6 miles north of Redmond on Hwy 97 is the town of Terrebonne. From Terrebonne, turn east on B Avenue. Follow the signs for Smith Rock State Park. B Avenue becomes NW Smith Rock Way. Turn left on 17th St. and it will take you to Smith Rock State Park. There is a day use fee for parking.

Summer Lake - DeLorme
Travel south out of Bend toward LaPine. Go through LaPine and turn SE on Hwy 31 (This is about 30 miles south of Bend. Follow the signs to Lakeview). Stay on 31 and travel about 80 miles. Hwy 31 goes right through the town of Summer Lake where you can get gas and supplies. One mile further along the road is the main access area for the lake. Stop in at the office to get maps and look at the bird alerts.

Tetherow Crossing - DeLorme
Tetherow Crossing is located a few miles west of Redmond. From Hwy 97, turn west onto Highland Rd. (follow the signs to Sisters). Go completely out of Redmond and you will dip down into a canyon that holds the Deschutes River. Take the first right after you cross the river (the signs say to Eagle Crest). Make the loop on the off ramp and turn north on 27th Street. This road will soon turn to dirt and will eventually end up at Tetherow after a few miles. Tetherow Crossing is a bridge over the Deschutes River.

Tumalo Reservoir - DeLorme
From Bend, travel east on Hwy 20 heading toward Sisters. After a few miles, you will go down a hill and go near the tiny town of Tumalo. On your left (south) look for Bailey Rd. Take a left on Bailey. This road will wind around as it climbs out of the canyon. When it straightens out, it becomes Tumalo Reservoir Rd. Take this road until it ends. Cross the bridge at the end and enter a dirt road area. Soon you will see places to park and access the reservoir.

Tumalo State Park - DeLorme
Travel west out of Bend on Hwy 20 toward Sisters. Near the town of Tumalo, take a left on OB Riley Rd. Go 1 mile to the River Crossing and the entrance to the park. Virginia Meissner Snow Park - DeLorme Pg 45 A-4 From Hwy 97 in Bend, take the Colorado St. Exit. Go 1.6 miles on Colorado to a Circle and take Century Dr. out of the Circle. Travel 12 miles on Century Drive and look for the signs to Virginia Meissner Snow Park.

Wickiup Reservoir - DeLorme Pg 44 C-3 From LaPine, turn west on Forest Rd. 43. Travel 10.6 miles and turn left on Forest Rd. 4380. Go 3.5 miles and turn left on 4260. There are roads all around the lake from this location.

Birdingpal Chuck Gates
President
East Cascades Bird Conservancy
cgates@empnet.com


Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Posted by Neil Robins:

BIRDING AREAS
IN EAST CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISLAND

Information on our area is available at:
http://www.thebirdstore.ca
http://www.hellobc.com
http://www.tourismnanaimo.com
http://www.oceansidetourism.com/activities_birding_viewsites.asp

THE NANAIMO AREA
Located three hours north of Victoria, on Highway 19

MORDEN COLLIERY PROVINCIAL PARK (forest and marsh)
Located south of Nanaimo
Best birding is during the Spring and Summer
Species to look for: Songbirds (Common Yellow-throat), Woodpeckers

HEMER PROVINCIAL PARK (forest and marsh)
Located in Cedar, just south of Nanaimo
Best birding is during the early Spring
Species to look for: Songbirds (warbler), water fowl (Merganser, Wood-duck)

JACK'S POINT PARK & BIGGS PARK (ocean and forest)
Located south of Nanaimo
Best birding is during the early Spring
Species to look for: Seabirds (Brant Cormorant), Bald Eagle

NANAIMO RIVER ESTUARY--Raines Road side (estuary and river)
Located south of Nanaimo
Best birding is during November to April
Species to look for: Hawks (Peregrine Falcon), Owls (Short-eared Owl), Northern Shrike, shorebirds (Spotted Sandpiper), songbirds (Western Meadowlark)

NANAIMO RIVER ESTUARY--Holden Creek side (estuary)
Located south of Nanaimo
Best birding is during July & August
Species to look for: Shorebirds (Baird’s Sandpiper)

CHASE RIVER ESTUARY--Beck Creek (estuary and forest )
Located in south Nanaimo
Best birding is during November to July
Species to look for: Seabirds (Scoter), waterfowl (Northern Pintail), song birds (warbler, vireo)

PIPERS LAGOON (water front, forest)
Located in central Nanaimo
Best birding is during the early Spring and Fall
Species to look for: Shorebirds (Whimbrel), Bald Eagle, songbirds (Yellow-rumped Warbler)

NECK POINT PARK (forest, waterfront)
Located in central Nanaimo
Good birding throughout the entire year
Species to look for: Seabirds (Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot), shorebirds (Spotted Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover) during the winter months, songbirds (warbler, flycatcher)

BUTTERTUBS MARSH (marsh)
Located in central Nanaimo
Good birding throughout the entire year
Species to look for: Songbirds (Bullock’s Oriole, Common Yellowthroat), Virginia Rail, American Bittern, waterfowl (American Wigeon)

MORRELL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (forest, ponds)
Located in central Nanaimo
Best birding is during the Spring, Summer & Fall
Species to look for: Songbirds (vireo, warbler), woodpeckers (sapsucker), waterfowl (Wood Duck)

WESTWOOD LAKE (lake, forest)
Located in central Nanaimo
Best birding is during the Spring & Summer
Species to look for: Water fowl (Canada Geese), woodpeckers (Red-breasted Sapsucker), songbirds (warbler)

MCGREGOR MARSH (forest, marsh)
Located in north Nanaimo
Best birding is during the Spring, Summer & Fall
Species to look for: Songbirds (warbler, vireo), waterfowl (Pied-Billed Grebe)

THE LANTZVILLE AREA
Located just off of Highway 19, north of Nanaimo
LANTZVILLE ROAD along the water front (ocean)
Located in Lantzville
Best birding is during the Winter & early Spring
Species to look for: Seabirds (Three species of Scoters, Pacific Loon, Scaup)

LEGACY MARSH (marsh, some forest)
Located in upper Lantzville
Best birding is during the Spring & Summer
Species to look for: Songbirds (Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeak), waterfowl (Wood Duck)

THE NANOOSE BAY AREA
Located just off of Highway 19, ten minutes north of Nanaimo
NANOOSE BAY (ocean, estuary)
Located off of Arlington Road, off of Highway 19
Best birding is during the Fall & Winter
Species to look for: Seabirds (Scoters, loon), waterfowl (Trumpeter Swan), shorebirds (Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher), songbirds (House Finch, sparrow) & Purple Martin (Look for nestboxes on the Bay)

BRICKYARD COVE (ocean)
Located in Fairwinds in Nanoose Bay
Best birding is during the Winter months
Species to look for: Seabirds(Three species of cormorants), waterfowl (Red-Breasted Merganser)

THE PARKSVILLE AREA
Located along Highway 19A, twenty minutes north of Nanaimo
RIVERS EDGE (forest, some meadows)
Located south of Parksville
Best birding is during the Spring & Summer
Species to look for: Nighthawks, hawks (American Kestrel), songbirds (Violet-green swallow)

RATHTREVOR PROVINCIAL PARK (forest, ocean)
Located in south Parksville
Best birding during the Winter & early Spring
Species to look for: Shorebirds (peep), seabirds (loon), songbirds (sparrow), owls (Great-Horned Owl, Barred Owl), Bald Eagle nest

TOP OF THE BRIDGE REGIONAL PARK (meadows. forest)
Located in south Parksville,
Best birding is during the Spring & Summer
Species to look for: Songbirds (Willow Flycatcher, Vireos, swallow), Swifts

ENGLISHMAN RIVER ESTUARY--PLUMMER ROAD SIDE (river, estuary, mudflats, ocean)
Located in south Parksville
Good birding throughout the entire year
Species to look for: Songbirds (warbler), shorebirds (Black-bellied Plover), seabirds (Murrelet), hawks (Red-tailed, Merlin), Bald Eagles

ENGLISHMAN RIVER ESTUARY--SHELLY ROAD SIDE (river, estuary, ocean)
Located in south Parksville
Good birding throughout the entire year
Species to look for: songbirds (warbler), shorebirds (Western Sandpiper), seabirds (loon, grebe), hawks (Red-tailed, Northern Harrier), Bald Eagles

PARKSVILLE BAY (ocean waterfront)
Located in downtown Parksville
Best birding during the Winter & Spring
Species to look for: Seabirds (Brant Geese, Mew Gull)
MORNINGSTAR GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION PONDS (freshwater)
Located 10 minutes northwest of Parksville
Good birding throughout the entire year
Species to look for: Waterfowl (Green-Winged Teal, Northern Shoveler), songbirds (kinglets swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee)

FRENCH CREEK, COLUMBIA BEACH (ocean, estuary)
Located ten minutes north of Parksville
Best birding during the Winter, Spring & Fall
Species to look for: Seabirds (grebe), waterfowl (Harlequin Duck), shorebirds (Dowitcher)

THE QUALICUM BEACH AREA
Located along Highway 19A, 35 minutes north of Nanaimo
THE VIEWING TOWER (ocean)
Located along the waterfront in Qualicum Beach
Best birding during the Fall, Winter & Spring
Species to look for: Shorebirds (Black Oystercatcher), seabirds (very huge flocks in the spring after the Herring spawn) ((Bonaparte’s Gull, Long-tailed Duck))

LOT 10 (river, forest)
Located ten minutes north in Qualicum Beach
Best birding during the April to September
Species to look for: Songbirds (warbler, waterfowl (merganser)

THE LITTLE QUALICUM RIVER ESTUARY (river, ocean)
Located ten minutes north in Qualicum Beach
Best birding is during November to May
Species to look for: Seabirds (Harlequin Duck), Trumpeter Swans, large numbers of Bald Eagles in November during the salmon spawn, songbirds (warbler, Western Meadowlark)

NILE CREEK ESTUARY (estuary, ocean)
Located 20 minutes north of Qualicum Beach off of Highway 19A
Best birding is during November to May
Species to look for: Seabirds (Western & Horned Grebe), shorebirds (Dunlin)

DEEP BAY & BAYNES SOUND (ocean)
Located 30 minutes north of Qualicum Beach off of Highway 19A
Best birding is during November to May
Species to look for: Shorebirds (Black Oystercatcher), seabirds (Long-tailed Duck, Rhinocerous Auklet, Common Murre), songbirds (warbler)

Neil Robins
nmrobins@telus.net


Netherlands

Posted by C van Deursen:

The Dutch coast is dominated by broad sandy beaches and extensive dune ridges. The Wadden region - with its dune islands and the abundance of birds and seals - belongs to the most important nature areas in Europe. The mainland coast (provinces Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland) contains the most important sea resorts of the country, and they are surrounded by impressive dune areas. These dunes protect the low coastal plain - with its polders and peat meadows - against the sea.
The harbour moles of IJmuiden, the sea port of Amsterdam, reach approx. 2500 m out in the North Sea. Since about 1990 there was an enormous natural sea sand deposit developed near the tip of the longest, southern harbour mole, so the coast line has accreted more than 500 m since then, especially on the southern side. Further away from the harbour, the coast has suffered rather strong erosion. In this reclaimed landscape new and (UN) expected natural developments took place. New low dune ridges and shallow water were formed and shaped by the elements. A fresh water lake on a distance of less than 500 meters from the seashore is a magnet for breeding and migrating birds. In the surrounding area of IJmuiden a mixture of huge dunes, mixed woods and parks and fresh water lakes and meadows is to be found. IJmuiden lies on a distance of about 25 kilometres from Amsterdam. There are good connections by train, bus, road and even boat. It is nowadays one of the better bird spots in the country, where more than 240 species can be seen annual. On the average more than 15-25 irregulars/rarities can be expected each year.
Harbour moles
Spring, Autumn & Winter: divers, grebes, petrels and shearwaters, gannet, cormorant, shag, swans, geese, shelduck, ducks (pochards, tufted, greater scaup, common eider, long-tailed, scoters,common goldeneye, red-breasted merganser), oystercatcher, plovers, turnstone, sanderling, red knot, sandpipers, Eurasian curlew, whimbrel, bar-tailed godwit, common redshank, common, greenshank, snipe, phalaropes, skuas, gulls (Mediterranean, little, herring, yellow-legged, great and lesser black-backed), terns, guillemot and auk, pipits, northern wheatear, Lapland longspur and snow bunting.
Fresh Water Lake and surrounding dune area
Spring, Summer and Autumn: divers, grebes, cormorant, great bittern, herons, Eurasian spoonbill, shelduck, fresh water ducks, marsh and hen harrier, sparrow- and goshawk, common buzzard, osprey, falcons, (peregrine breeding nearby), spotted crake and water rail, great and little ringed, Kentish plover, golden and grey plover, curlew sandpiper, curlew and whimbrel, greenshank, wood and common sandpiper, woodcock, common and jack snipe, gulls, marsh owl, king fisher, pipits, wagtails, blue throat, stonechat, wheatear, thrushes, sedge and reed warbler, willow warbler, whitethroat, bearded tit, finches, buntings.
The whole area is freely accessible. Only the harbour moles are closed during storm periods as they are over flooded by currents.

C van Deursen
c.vandeursen@planet.nl


Namibia

Posted by Albert Voigts von Schütz:

Birding in the Caprivi - a short collection
Rundu at Okavango: The tall trees mostly belong to Treminalia sericea (Silver Cluster-leaf)
Try and call Barred Owl and Pearl-spotted Owlet. This attracts many birds.
Good birds seen: Ashy Flycatcher (Bluegrey Flycatcher) / Schieferschnäpper – listen to its call.
Southern White-faced Scops-Owl (White-faced Owl) / Weißgesicht-Ohreule

Rundu sewage works: The reeds consist mostly of: Phragmites australis (Common reed) Try and call African Rail / Kapralle. They move inbetween little openings of the dense reed, from one thicket to another. Prepare to have very short sightings. Call the Little Rush-Warbler (African Sedge Warbler) / Sumpfbuschsänger, they react to the tape quite well Expect also to see: Hottentot Teal / Hottentottenente; African Openbill (Openbilled Stork) / Klaffschnabel; African Reed-Warbler (African Marsh Warbler) / Gartenrohrsänger; Coppery-tailed Coucal / Angola-Mönchskuckuck
Move down the road to Divundu: Look out for a mixed forest with little disturbance, consisting of: Schinziophyton rautanenii / old: Rhizinodendron rautanenii - Manketti Tree; Philenoptera violecea / old: Lonchocarpus capassa – Rain-tree or Apple leaf; Baikiaea plurijuga – Zambezi Teak or Zambezi Kiaat; Burkea Africana – Burkea or Wildsering; Dense cover of lower vegetation, some dead tree trunks for breeding on deep Kalahari sands …. Look out for Rufous-bellied Tit / Rotbauchmeise and Green-capped Eremomela / Grünkappen-Eremomela… try and call them in. Retz’s Helmet-Shrike old: Redbilled Helmetshrike / Dreifarbenwürger, try and call them in
Picknick area 120km from Rundu:
Search for Arnott’s Chat / Arnotschmätzer (although probably not found here, rather between Divundu and Kongola, they prefer well developed Brachystegia, Baikiaea and Mopane woodland)
White-bellied Sunbird / Weißbauch-Nektarvogel
Yellow-throated Petronia old: Yellowthroated Sparrow / Gelbkehlsperling
Striped Kingfisher / Streifenliest and Woodland Kingfisher / Senegalliest
Brown-crowned Tchagra old: Threestreaked Tchagra / Damaratschagra
Bradfield's Hornbill / Bradfieldtoko, Felsentoko,
Pale Flycatcher old: Pallid Flycatcher / Fahlschnäpper
Amethyst Sunbird old:Black Sunbird / Amethystglanzköpfchen
Racket-tailed Roller / Spatelracke (try and call them in), mostly flying through and from lower to medium stratum.
Chinspot Batis / Weißflankenschnäpper
Tinkling Cisticola / Rotschwanz-Zistensänger (try and call them in)
African Hobby / Afrikanischer Baumfalke
Black-headed Oriole / Maskenpirol (try and call them in)
Brown Firefinch / Großer Pünktchenamarant
Red-headed Weaver / Scharlachweber
Dark Chanting Goshawk / Graubürzel-Singhabicht
White-breasted Cuckooshrike / Weißbrust-Raupenfänger (try and call them in)
Southern Black Flycatcher / Drongoschnäpper
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird / Gelbstirn – Bartvogel, try and call them, they don’t come closer, but they do respond.
Wahlberg’s Eagle / Wahlbergs Adler
Lizard Buzzard / Sperberbussard
Wood Pipit / Miombopieper, perches readily on rocks, mounds, bushes and trees. Attracted to grass fires.
Retz’s Helmet-Shrike old: Redbilled Helmetshrike / Dreifarbenwürger, try and call them in
About 30-40km outside Divundu, the forest opens a bit and the lower strata turns into high grass. This makes for good birding for:
Coqui Francolin / Coquifrankolin
Small Buttonquail old: Kurrichane Buttonquail / Laufhühnchen
About 20km outside Divundu, the Manketti forest becomes denser, Try for:
Red-headed Weaver / Scharlachweber
Chinspot Batis / Weißflankenschnäpper
White-browed Scrub-Robin / Weißbrauen-Heckensänger, try and call them
Retz’s Helmet-Shrike old: Redbilled Helmetshrike / Dreifarbenwürger, try and call them in and White-crested Helmet-Shrike old: White Helmetshrike / Brillenwürger, they react very actively to call of Pearl-spotted Owlet – use own and that call.
Try the Rufous-bellied Tit / Rotbauchmeise again.
Leave Divundu and enter the Ngepi road… drive along that road till you reach Mahangu Lodge. Birds to find here: Luapula Cisticola (split from Black-backed Cisiticola) / Luapula Zistensänger, look out at Reedbeds and other wetland vegetation and rank grass (e.g. Echinochloa colona and Diplachne fusca – swamp grass) associated with rivers and wetlands.
Wood Pipit / Miombopieper, perches readily on rocks, mounds, bushes and trees. Attracted to grass fires.
Tree Pipit / Baumpiper, open edges of woodland, grassy hillsides with scattered bushes, check out edges of exotic plantations and gardens. Plain-backed Pipit / Braunrückenpiper, check out burnt areas and grazed areas, they also like cultivated land.
Buffy Pipit / Vaalpiper
African Pipit / Weidelandpiper
Lizard Buzzard / Sperberbussard along riverine vegetation
Sharp-tailed Starling / Keilschwanz-Glanzstar, look out for lower open woodland, mostly drier part of Habitat.
Birding in vegetation right next to Okavango river should result in the following:
Little Bee-eater / Zwergspint
Hartlaub's Babbler / Weißbürzeldroßling
White-fronted Bee-eater / Weißstirnspint
Purple-banded Sunbird / Kleiner Bindennektarvogel
Violet-backed Starling old: Plumcoloured Starling / Amethyst-Glanzstar
Meves's Starling old: Longtailed Starling / Meves-Glanzstar
Laughing Dove / Senegaltaube
African Mourning Dove / Angolaturteltaube
Wattled Starling / Lappenstar
Greater Blue-eared Starling / Grünschwanz-Glanzstar
African Wood-Owl / Woodfordkauz
Grey-headed Bush-Shrike / Graukopfwürger
White-browed Robin-Chat old: Heuglin’s Robin / Weißbrauenrötel
Meyer's Parrot / Goldbugpapagei
Southern Carmine Bee-eater / Scharlachspint
Black Crake / Mohrenralle
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater / Schwalbenschwanzspint
Red-eyed Dove / Halbmondtaube
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove old: Greenspotted Dove / Bronzeflecktaube
Drive the road to Kongola bridge…
Try the Retz’s Helmet-Shrike old: Redbilled Helmetshrike / Dreifarbenwürger and Search for Arnott’s Chat / Arnotschmätzer; they prefer well developed Brachystegia, Baikiaea and Mopane woodland), again.
Check out the Bradfields Hornbills.
Keep your eyes peeled for Dickinson’s Kestrel / Schwarzrückenfalke, they like open country near water.
Find the great camping site at Nambwa: Various habitat create some fantastic birding here. En route and at Nambwa you should look out for: Southern Brown-throated Weaver / Braunkehlweber
Wood Pipit / Miombopieper
Crested Francolin / Schopffrankolin
Buffy Pipit / Vaalpieper
Black-collared Barbet / Halsband-Bartvogel
Reed Cormorant / Riedscharbe
African Fish-Eagle / Schreiseeadler
Brown Snake-Eagle / Brauner Schlangenadler
Rufous-bellied Heron / Rotbauchreiher
Purple Heron / Purpurreiher
Cardinal Woodpecker / Kardinalspecht
Broad-billed Roller / Zimtroller
Red-faced Mousebird / Rotzügel-Mausvogel
Green Wood-Hoopoe old: Redbilled Woodhoopoe / Steppenbaumhopf
Common Scimitarbill old: Scimitarbilled Woodhoopoe / Sichelhopf
African Wattled Lapwing / Senegalkiebitz
Collared Pratincole old:Redwinged Pratincole / Brachschwalbe
Crested Barbet / Haubenbartvogel
Blacksmith Lapwing old: Blacksmith Plover / Waffenkiebitz
Chirping Cisticola / Sumpfzistensänger
Tawny-flanked Prinia / Rahmbrustprinie
Dark-capped Bulbul old:Blackeyed Bulbul / Gelbsteißbülbül
Terrestrial Brownbul old:Terrestrial Bulbul / Laubbülbül
Arrow-marked Babbler / Braundroßling
Swainson's Spurfowl old: Swainson's Francolin / Swainsonfrankolin
Yellow-breasted Apalis / Gelbbrust-Feinsänger
Grey-backed Camaroptera old: Greybacked BleatingWarbler / Graurücken-Grasmücke
Swamp Boubou / Zweifarbenwürger
Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike / Orangewürger
Hadeda Ibis / Hagedasch-Ibis
Magpie Shrike old:Longtailed Shrike / Elsterwürger
Lesser Honeyguide / Kleiner Honiganzeiger
Red-billed Oxpecker / Rotschnabel-Madenhacker
Southern Black Flycatcher / Drongoschnäpper
Grey Tit-Flycatcher old: Fantailed Flycatcher / Meisenschnäpper
Drive on to the Zambezi, since this is where the real birding begins:
Birds like Grey-headed Gull Graukopfmöwe
Greater Swamp-Warbler / Papyrusrohrsänger
African Skimmer / Braunmantel-Scherenschnabel
Collared Sunbird / Waldnektarvogel
Yellow-bellied Greenbul / Gelbbrustbülbül
Red-billed Firefinch / Senegal-Amarant
Brown-throated Martin / Braunkehl-Uferschwalbe
White-crowned Lapwing / --
Bearded Scrub-Robin / Brauner Bartheckensänger
African Wattled Lapwing / Senegalkiebitz Await you here.
And look out for: Ross’s Turaco old: Ross’s Lourie / Rossturako on the edges of the larger forest tracts. Find stands of Euphorbia and dense Brachystegia.

Also find Eastern Nicator old:Yellowspotted Nicator / Bülbülwürger in the riverine forest.

Birdingpal Albert Voigts von Schütz
info@nomtsas.com


Birding the western tip of North Carolina

Posted by Frank Clayton:

Because of the variety of habitats, due to altitudes from 500-2000 m, the western tip of North Carolina, when combined with a few southern lowland species easily found in adjacent north Georgia, offers most of the nesting landbirds of the central eastern United States. Might be equal to any such area in the eastern US. With John C. Campbell Folk School (5 miles east of Murphy, NC) as a base, less than a week during the breeding season from early May to mid-June is needed to see about 100 landbird species, including 20+ warblers. Because these warblers are largely woodland species, bird recordings make them much easier to see.
John C. Campbell Folk School is a non-profit traditional arts and crafts educational center; the last operating Danish-inspired folk school in America. With approximately 300 acres of woodland, fields, gardens, and riparian habitat, the campus with its trails are open to the public. The administration just requests that, if visitors wish to visit inside any workshop area, they check in at the main office first.
Bluebirds, tree swallows, and house wrens use the nesting boxes around the fields. Meadowlarks, savannah, and sometimes grasshopper sparrows nest in the fields, and bobolinks and sedge and marsh wrens stop over heading north during the first week of May. Solitary sandpipers occur sporadically, but not uncommonly, throughout the Spring, around any body of water, including the creek. In low vegetation along the creek are blue-winged warbler, yellow-breasted chat, yellowthroat, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, and indigo bunting. In the overgrown fields are field sparrow, goldfinch, towhee, and bobwhite. Blue grosbeak, brown thrasher, and orchard oriole sing from higher perches around the fields. Martins nest in the hanging gourds. Savannah sparrows are easiest to see in the vegetable garden area.
Around the Keith House (main old building) hummers use the feeders, swifts nest in the chimney, and chipping sparrows sing their mechanical trill from trees bordering any lawn. Wood pewee, red-eyed vireo, and parula warbler sing within earshot of the Keith House or near the Mill House. Pine and yellow-throated warblers and great-crested flycatcher sing from the tall pines between the Keith House and the older workshop area to the west. This is also where wood thrush sings constantly. Yellow warbler nests most commonly behind the log house, just downhill from the festival barn. Ovenbird and hooded and Kentucky warblers sing from the lower story out in the woods, such as along the trail upstream from the Mill House or the less distinct ridgetop trail south of Little Brasstown Creek. (One end is at the Cherokee Fire Circle). At night chuck-wills-widow calls from the wooded valleys and whip-poor-will from the ridges.
Nuthatches, titmice, chickadees, house finches and, in Spring migration, rose-breasted grosbeaks use the bird feeder in front of the enameling studio. Other common birds I need not mention.
The 1000 meter ridge SW of Brasstown is good for certain mid-altitude birds. Starting at the Keith House main parking lot, heading west on Brasstown Road, turn left in front of the blacksmith workshop at 0.3 miles onto Folk School Road, then left again at 0.7 miles onto Mason Rd. At 1.6 miles gravel Horizon Road heads left along a recent clearcut, good for blue-winged, chestnut-sided, and prairie warblers. At 1.7 miles from the start of Mason Rd go straight at a trident intersection up the middle (paved) road toward Brasstown Heights. Birding is good anywhere along here, but I usually drive up to where the road levels out, where the new houses start after the mechanical gate. Walk any of these roads in Brasstown Heights housing development for black-throated green, Kentucky, and worm-eating warblers, scarlet tanager, and a soaring broad-winged hawk. Sometimes there are ruffed grouse here at daybreak.
If you still haven't found blue-winged warbler, drive towards the town of Andrews on highway 141, turning right in Peachtree to the end of Upper Peachtree Road, veering left at the end onto a gravel road that dead-ends at Indian Grove Gap. Look for them downhill on the left towards the end of the gravel road.
Louisiana waterthrush and Acadian flycatcher are easy to find at Fire's Creek Picnic area. Check the little waterfall and walk upstream over the footbridge to the paved trails through the picnic area. To drive there watch for the sign to the left at Fire's Creek Rd on new highway 64 east toward Hayesville. The campground here is the closest camping to the Folk School.
The trailer camping and boat launch area on the left just before Clay County Recreation Area on Lake Chatuge, southeast of Hayesville, is the best local site for Baltimore oriole, eastern kingbird, grackle, and cowbird. Check the pines for brown-headed nuthatch. To get there, turn right at the 2nd stoplight on Highway 64 in Hayesville, and follow the sign about a mile. The fork at about a half mile leads to a bridge over the Hiwassee River to Chatuge Dam itself. Wood duck and kingfisher can usually be found either from the bridge or in the backwater downstream, which is best seen from the end of the dam spillway. Only way to get there is to walk down the spillway for the view off the end.
About 30 miles east of Brasstown on highway 64, between Hayesville and Franklin, is Rainbow Springs Road, on the left after crossing the upper Nantahala River bridge. Golden-winged and chestnut-sided warblers and least flycatcher are common both along the start of this gravel road and overlooking the bog a half mile farther at the start of the Standing Indian Road to the right. This bog has also had alder flycatcher calling in June in the past. Through at least early June woodcock does its display at dawn and dusk from the long hayfield between Rainbow Springs road and the river. They display only early enough before sunrise and late enough after sunset that it is too dark to see the bird without a spotlight.
A mile farther on highway 64 is Winding Stairs Gap where there is a parking lot for the Appalachian Trail. Before the leaves come out in mid-May, the first half mile of the walking road on the north side of the highway has veery and frequently all the local mountain warblers: Blackburnian, chestnut-sided, black-throated blue, Canada, redstart, and black-thoated green.
Turning right on Standing Indian Road leads to Standing Indian campground, where Louisiana waterthrush sings along the river. Another place for Canada warbler is following this road past the campground for another 10 minutes or so to where it intersects the Appalachian Trail on the top of the ridge. If the warbler is not right there, head along the trail a ways in either direction. You also pass another bog on the right just after the campground, where you can try for alder flycatcher without benefit of trail or any easy overlook.
In a totally different direction from the Folk School, Stecoah Gap, an hour to the north, is the best spot for the same mountain warblers, especially golden-winged warbler, and the best known dependable place for cerulean warbler locally. Four vireos have been seen along the old logging railbed that starts at the parking lot at the crest of hwy 143, seven miles N of Robbinsville. Walk at least a half mile along this level forest track to find golden-wgd warbler and other warblers and vireos singing in the Spring. Cerulean can be seen and heard here and across the highway from the parking lot, but the best spot is up the Appalachian Trail (south) from the parking lot to the two big boulders at the 3rd sharp turn to the right. My experience is that they don't start singing until 8-8:30 am. You can also scout off the trail down the ridge from this spot to the trail below.
The only published site for Swainson's warbler in N Carolina west of Asheville is at the bridge over the river along hwy 129, 13 miles NW of Robbinsville. There is a poverty of signs. Walk the first 1/4 mile of the dirt road on the other side of the river overlooking the riverside rhododendrons. Be patient.
Yellow warblers nest along the Tallulah River next to the walking trail that starts from the first parking lot on the left on the entrance road to Robbinsville High School just N of that town on hwy 143.
Birds nesting above 5000 ft like Swainson's thrush, winter wren, golden-crowned kinglet, red-breasted nuthatch, pine siskin, black-capped chickadee, the previously mentioned mountain warblers and (through May) yellow-rumped warblers, can be seen along the Clingman's Dome access road in Smoky Mountain National Park. Start at the Newfound Gap parking lot and work your way toward Clingman's Dome. Sawwhet owls are supposed to call along this road on less windy nights in April and May.
A more pleasant place without crowds and traffic is the campground and picnic area (and trail and road between the two)at the end of the paved Heintooga Spur road off the Blue Ridge Parkway a few miles from Cherokee, NC. Also over 5000 ft, it has the same high mountain birds. Any chickadee seen over 5000 ft in N Carolina can be assumed to be black-capped. If under 3000, it is Carolina chickadee. Ruffed grouse is not uncommon in this area.
Several lowland birds are not found easily in western N Carolina, such as summer tanager, prothonotory warbler, red-headed and red-cockaded woodpeckers, and dicksissel. I recommend finding these in nearby North and Central Georgia, using the book "Birding Georgia" by Giff Beaton. In the northern half of Georgia, there are also Spring sites described in this book for scissor-tailed flycatcher, Mississippi kite, grasshopper sparrow, migrating shorebirds, and the migrating warbler hot spot, Kennesaw Mountain.
Consider also one or more pelagic trips off the NC coast into the Gulfstream: www.seabirding.com. For birding eastern N Carolina, get John Fussell's "A Birder's Guide to Coastal North Carolina". For more sites in western N Carolina, get Marcus Simpson's "Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains".

Birdingpal Frank Clayton
doctorichabod@yahoo.com


North Germany --- The Luebeck area

Posted by Tim Herfurth:

I got the idea of writing a report about the area I live in when I met a birder from the States some years ago in the North of Germany, somewhere near a muddy place on a rainy, boring day. He was working in Hamburg for some month. On weekends he tried to see as many European species as possible. Suddenly it became exiting for me as well to search for species like Tree Pipit or Crested Lark. It reminded me of my trip to Australia where local birders took their time to show me the species I needed. So if any birdwatcher is traveling or has to stay in the North of Germany this report could help a little. I am sorry that at this stage there are no maps in this report.
If you plan to visit the North of Germany (for example Hamburg, Luebeck, Kiel or Rostock) you should write to me or give me a ring. I would really like to show you around and help you finding the species you would like to see.
Luebeck is situated northeast of Hamburg, close to the Baltic Sea and at the former border to Eastern Germany. This region is rather interesting for a good variety of typical North-German species. Luebeck is definitely not a birding hot spot but it covers a rather great variety of different habitats. On the other hand Luebeck is as well a good base for further trips as it is rather close to exellent places at the North Sea and Baltic Sea coast as well as to god areas in Eastern Germany. In late spring or early summer between 100 an 150 species can be seen in one day in the Luebeck area (radius 30 km) Within a radius of 150 km another 30 species should be possible. In autumn, winter and early spring bewteen 80 and 100 species should be possible within one or two days. Key sites include:

1. Lübeck Schellbruch (SB):
The nature reserve Schellbruch is situated in the north of Lübeck at river Trave. By car it is a 10 min. drive from the city. You can also take the bus 12 or 24. Going by bike or bus you can walk along the river Trave till the village of Gothmund and take the bus back to the city from there. From Gothmund you can continue till the Kattegatt and Stau (S/K), two good places mentioned later in this report.
The reserve covers a great variety of different habitats.
The different types of forest are good for woodland species such as Fire Crest, Goldcrest, Both Treecreepers, Warblers, Tits and Thrushes. The reedbeds and graslands hold Marsh Harrier, Bluethroat, Sedge/Marsh and Reed Warbler, Savis/Grasshopper and sometimes River Warbler, Bearded/Penduline Tit, Water Rail, Reed Bunting and Bittern. Pools and lakes are good for Grebes (breeding species seem to be changing every jear), Ducks, waders in small numbers, Kingfisher, Grey heron, Smew (in winter) and for White-tailed Eagle. The reserve is one of the few places where several Rock Pipits winter.

2.Lübeck: Stau
Bus 31, 32...
You will reach the Stau by taking the B 75 towards Travemünde. Leave the B 75 in the direction of Rostock and Schlutup. Turn right, when you see some traffic lights drive on towards Schlutup. About 300 m behind the traffic lights there is a very small and well hidden car park on the left side of the road in the forest. On the car park there is also a wodden information sign. Park here and walk the trak. There. is a gate and a dam around the reedbeds and open water. The birdlife depends much on the changing vegetation and water level. You are not allowed to but you should (nobody cares) open the gate and climb the dam to check the muddy areas around the reedbeds. They are good for waders and ducks, usually for Water Rail.
Broad-billed Sandpiper, Caspian Tern, Black-winged Stilt and Little and Great-White Egret has been recorded in the past years.. The open water is good for Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe and ducks. The reedbeds and canals hold Sedge/Marsh/Reed and Grasshopper Warbler, Bearded Tits and Reed Bunting. The area is also good for a number of woodland species such as Black Woodpecker, Great Snipe, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Thrushes, Garden/Black-capped/Willow Warbler, Treecreepers and Tits....

3. Travemünde/Priwall:
Travemünde and the Priwall is probably the best place for gulls. When the fishing boats come in (times seem to be changing) the fishing harbour is a good place (Glaucous Gull has been recorded). Usually most of the gulls can be found along the beach of the Priwall on the oposite side of the river Trave which you can reach by boat. The boates leave every 5 minutes and cost 0,50 €. In the past 3 winters (not in 1999/2000) one Mediterranean Gull was found along the Travemünde promenade. This bird is sometimes found at the beaches on the Priwall too.
The Priwall is also good for migrating waders, warblers and Thrushes,... In winter many ducks and Goossanders can be seen close to the beach. On the other side of the Priwall (not the sea-side) there is some kind of "lake" called the Pötenitzer Wiek. This place is also very good especially for wintering and migrating ducks.
If you take the car it is more expensive but you can do a tour around the Dassower See and just start or finish at the Priwall.

4.Ruppersdorfer See:
This is probably one of the best sites around Lübeck especieally for migrating birds.
Take the motorway A1/ E47 towards Puttgarden and turn of at Ratekau. Follow the road into the village of Ratekau. In the village (having passed the yellow-village sign) take the first road to the right. After 200m you will see the lake to your left and the railway to your right. Follow the road and take the first road to the left towards the lake and park near the lake. Take the little walking trak to the left. There is a hide from which you have good views. On a sunny day you should visit this reserve in the morning as the sun can be frustrating in the afternoon. This reserve holds breeding Garganey, Little and Black necked Grebe, sometimes Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Marsh Harrier, Reed –and Marsh Warbler, Reed Bunting, Yellow Wagtail.... Several rarer birds have been recorded in the past years such as White- winged Black Tern, Great White Eagret, Marsh Sandpiper or Spoonbill.
On migration Osprey, Black Tern, Little Gull and different species of waders and ducks can be seen. Smew occurs in winter.

5. Nordwest-Mecklenburg (NWM):
Lübeck belongs to the state of "Schleswig Holstein" while the North of the former German Democratic Republic is now called "Mecklenburg Vorpommern". The county of Northwest Mecklenburg starts immediately to the east of Lübeck. You will still find the old borderline with its track made of parallel running concrete slabs near the villages of Herrenburg or Schattin as well as along the Baltic Sea coastline. Immediately behind the former border it is surprising how different the birdlife is compared to the areas west of the former border. For example the Corn Bunting is a very rare (!) bird around Lübeck while it is rather common in Nordwest Mecklenburg.
This area has a very low population and a huge number of underwatched sites. Every year I find new spots and I am sure it will take ages to check all good sites.
In this area you definitely need a car as the bus system is poor.
The best way for birding is to search for small roads or unsealed tracks and stop wherever it looks good. There are small pools on fields which are always worth a check for Garganey, Red-necked Grebe or Green Sandpiper. Like that you should see Red-Kite, Marsh Herrier, Stock Dove, Corn Bunting, Yellow Wagtail, Red-backed Shrike, Whinchat, Nightingale and Thrush Nightingale without any problem. Especially in spring it is always possible to see Cranes on fields nearby wet forests. White-tailed Eagles are sometimes hard to see but can turn up everywhere. Most villages south of Schönberg hold breeding White Storks. For Crested Lark the best sites (in winter too !) are the huge and ugly industrial fat stock stables with cows and pigs. Most villages hold one or two of them (the village of Mallentin may be the best for Crested Lark).
To make the decision easier where to go I will mention several good sites.

5.1 Brook: In the village there is a sign showing the way to the beach "Strand". There is a car park. Parallel to the beach there is a little walking track. This area might be one of the safest for Scarlet Rosefinch in late spring. Ringed plover breeds on the beach and there should be always some Terns around. In cold winters "seawatching" is usually productive for Long Tailed Duck, Red Throated-, Slovanian and Black throated Diver, Goldeneye, Eider, Whooper Swan, Common Scoter (sometimes Velvet Scooter, Black Guillemot, ....).
(For seawatching there are other and sometimes better sites further east, for example near the village of Steinbeck !)
(In the past years the „Wohlenberger Wiek" east of „Boltenhagen" was much better than „Brook". There is a long beach in the „Wiek" from where you should see most of the wanted species. Drive from „Kluetz" towards „Wismar" and you will find the beach.)
5.2 Dassower See: The lake is good for all kinds of waterfowl ( Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, Teal, Gadwall, Red-Brested Merganser, Goosander) especially in winter when thousands of Scaups and sometimes hundreds of Smew rest.
The reedbeds and the nearby trees are good for Penduline Tit, Marsh/Sedge/Reed and sometimes Great-Reed Warbler and Marsh Harrier. The lake is also a good place to see White-tailed Eagle.
From Lübeck take the B 104 towards Wismar. At Selmsdorf take the B105 to the left.
First you reach Sülsdorf from whree you will not be seeing the lake. There are several good spots and viewpoints.
a) Turn left at Sülsdorf towards Teschow. Drive through the village of Teschow and stop where the rough track starts. You either walk to the right or straight on to have good viewpoints on the lake. The farmland here is good for Corn Bunting, Red-backed Shrike and sometimes for Scarlet Rosefinch. ( many migrants)
b) Go back to the B105 and drive on to your left. Turn left at Zarnewenz towards the lake and stop after 200 m. Walk to the lake. This area is probably the best for ducks. In winter thousands of Scaups can be seen (several can be seen in summer too !), Divers, White- tailed Eagle,....
c) Continue the B 105. Stop at the watchtower to the left of the road. There is a little track going to the lake. Usually Scarlet Rosefinsh is singing in summer. This is the only kown site for Bluethroat. The reedbeds close to the watchtower seem to hold at least 2 pairs. The area is also good for Bearded Tit and White-tailed Eagle.
d)Go back and continue the B105. After having crossed the little bridge just before you reach Dassow turn left. Climb the dam. The area holds good numbers of Smew and other waterfowl but is not so productive in summer.
5.3 Stepenitz- Maurine Niederung: Especially between May and July this is probably one of the best places in this report . I have only visited this area 4 times before I wrote this report and I must say it is fantastic ! It is realy worth while to go there in the early morning as for example Cranes are much easier to see or hear in the first daylight.
Just when you have crossed the little bridge before Dassow (B105 towards Wismar) turn right into the village of Dassow. After 400 m take the first road to the right towards Lütgenhof and Prieschendorf and drive till you see the sign "Prischendorf". Park there. On your right hand side there is a picture with birds which says "Stepenitz- Maurine Niederung". Walk that track...
Savis- River and Grasshoppers Warbler are rather easy to hear and to see, Cranes (more likely to hear), Kingfisher, Snipe, Black Kite, Sedge- Marsh and Reed Warbler are c., Bearded Tit, Meadow Pipit, Raven, White tailed Eagle, Nightingale, Trush Nightingale, Stock Dove, warblers, tits, buntings,....
This track used to stop after about 1,5 km as the bridge crossing the Stepenitz was broken.After about half the distance (till you reach the bridge) there is a little canal to your left. On this place you should get all the three Locustella warblers. This is also the place where it is possible to see or hear Bluethroat. Now the bridge has been repaired and the track continues as a bike trail towards Schönberg. I haven`t been birding this part but it is said that there are some pairs of Bluethroat behind the bridge.
6 Former Border area:
The birdlife and vegetation in this area is typical for a very dry and sandy ground. The woodlands with pines and some oaks are good for Crested Tit, Crossbill, Black Woodpecker, Gold- and Firecrest and lots of Chaffinches. The heathland (not much is left) holds Woodlark, Tree Pipit and Red-backed Shrike. The (what we call) dry- grass areas should produce Tree Pipit, Woodlark, Red- backed Shrike, Whinchat, different warblers and Yellowhammer. River warbler is fairly common in the wetter areas near Schattin. Rarer birds of the area are Golden Oriole, Corncrake, Quail and Honey Buzzard. I will devide this area into two sections: Herrnburg and Schattin
6.1Herrnburg
6.1.1 North of Herrnburg
You can reach Herrnburg by the bus number 5. Get out of the bus at „Am Kamp" or „Ahornweg". Both stops are situated in an area with new houses. By car take the Brandenbaumer Landstraße situated in the southeast of Lübeck. Comming out of Lübeck you will see a yellow village-sign „Herrnburg". After 200 m you see new houses on your left. Take this road leading to those builings to the left. Park wherever you like, probably after 300m near the named busstops.
There are now some little tracks leading to the northwest out of this housing area (When you park near the bus stops go left). After 2 minutes you will see dry open grasland and pine trees. Take the track to the left of the pine trees. When you see the parallel running track made of concrete slabs you are on the right way. Follow the track and you should see Tree Pipit, Red-backed Shrike, Woodlark, Black Woodpecker, Whitethroat....After about 2 km there is a very sandy path leading to the left and one to the right ( a bit like a a junction). You have pine trees to your right and some wetter looking open area with birches to your left. This area is good for Golden Oriole and Corncrake.
The pine trees to your right should hold Crested Tit and Goldcrest, sometimes Crossbills.
6.1.2 South of Herrnburg
You should take a car to reach this area as well as for the Schattin area. Take the road towards Herrnburg and drive through the village. You will pass a railway line and a church. Turn right towards Duvennest. Just when you have Herrnburg behind you there is a sharp bend to the left. After 50m there is a car park to your right with a wooden sign telling you that you are in some kind of Nature Reserve („Naturschutzgebiet Wakenitzniederung") There are three possible pathes. One leads to the left, a sandy one with pine trees to both sides. This one is good for Crested Tit, Woodpeckers, and Treecreeper. The one more in the middle lies bewteen the open dry grasland and the pine trees. This one is not so productive.
The third leads you to the right (behind the little house and garden). Following this path you will reach a small canal after 300m. After that it continues up a little hill with single pine trees and heathland. This area is good for Woodlark, Little Woodpecker, Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Grasshoppers Warbler and sometimes River Warbler.
6.2 Schattin
Follow the same road towards Duvennest. You pass Duvennester Krug, Duvennest and Schattin. 200m behind Schattin there is a road to your right pointing towards the „Waldhotel Schattin". After 200m (look on the fields to your right for White Stork) there is a bend to your right towards the hotel and a sign telling you this is a „Naturschutzgebiet". Park here. Follow the footpath straight on. There are Pine Trees to your right.
After about 200m path leads to the right and one straight on/or a little bit to the left.
The wohle area is good for River Warbler, Golden Oriol, Red Kite, Whinchat, Red-backed Shrike, Tree Pipit, Buzzard and Kestrel. Usually River Warbler is rather common in the wetter areas following the path to the left. Here Golden Oriole and Crane is possible too. Look out for Honey Buzzard as it usually can be seen here during the breeding season. During migration time Wheater turn up.
7 Lauerholz
Between the town centre of Lübeck, Israelsdorf and Schlutup there is a rather big area of different types of forests. Deciduous forest changes with coniferous forest. The whole area should produce the typical woodland species but there is one central area which seems to be very safe especially for the probably most wanted species like Middle- spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Firecrest and Crested Tit. Other species include Wood Warbler, Goldcrest, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Blackcap, Song-and Mistle Thrush, Robin, Wren, Pied Flycatcher, Woodcock (in the more open areas in the late evening), Tawny Owl....
You will find the best site at the road called „Wesloer Weg" which devides the Lauerholz into an eastern and western area. Coming from the south take the second car park to your left. It is situated near a bend going to the right. Park here and go back for about 20m. There is a track going into the forest with a wooden sign „Am Rittbrook". Follow this track. For Middle Spotted Woodpecker the best area might be after 500 m on the left side of the track. They like old oak trees.

By the time I have not finnished this report. There are many other places around.
In the Luebeck area (radius 30 km) the following interesting species can usually be seen at the right place and in the right time of the year:
Black-throated Diver (winter), Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe (winter), White Stork, Black Stork, Smew (winter) Red-Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Corncrake, Quail, Crane, Eagle Owl, Barn Owl, Black Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Little Woodpecker, Wood Lark,Crested Lark, Thrush Nightingale and Nightingale, Bluethroat, River Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Barred Warbler, Bearded Tit, Red-breasted Flycatcher Golden Oriole, Serin, Both Treecreepers, Scarlet Rosefinch... and lots more and of course breeding or migrating ducks, geese, waders,....
For most waders/geese and some ducks it is definitely better to take a trip to the North Sea coast or to the Island of Fehmarn. Fehmarn is a one hour drive from Lübeck. You will need 2 hours to reach the North Sea Coast.
A good help is: http://www.birdinggermany.de

List of species you are likely to see in the Lübeck area at the right time of the year. I always add North Sea coast when it seems much easier to see the birds there.
Sites:
-RS = Ruppersdorfer See
-SB = Schellbruch
-S = Stau
-H-P = Former border area Herrnburg/Palingen
-H-Sa = Former border area Herrnburg/Schattin
-SH = Stülper Huk
-DS = Dassower See area
-MW = Mönkhofwiesen
-Lauerholz
-SMN= Stepnitz Maurine Niederung
-NWM= radius of about 30 km to the east of Lübeck, county of Nordwest- Mecklenburg.
-Tr. = Travemünde/Priwall
c = Common species in suitable habitat and at the right time of the year
p... = not common, no safe site but always possible in suitable habitat

-Red-throated Diver: p. But rare in winter offshore NWM ,
-Black-throated Diver: in winter offshore NWM
-Great Crested Grebe: c
-Red-necked Grebe: in winter rather c offshore NWM, in spring and summer some of the fishponds south of „Schönberg" (NWM) hold several pairs, breeds as well at the Överdiek (small lake) in „Timmendorfer Strand" (north of Lübeck) , rather common on the Island of Fehmarn
-Little Grebe: RS, S, p..., rather c in winter
-Black-necked Grebe: very c breeder at RS ! also DS,SB,S
-Slavonian Grebe: can be seen in small numbers in winter offshore NWM
-Cormorant: c
-Bittern: r SB, r DS, a good place is the Pönitzer See about 25 km north of Lübeck. In the past 10 years at least on male has been calling in the north-western part of the lake.(The „Wasservogelreservat Wallnau" on the western part of the Island of Fehmarn is probably the best site)
-Grey Heron: c
-White Stork: breeds in villages in NWM for example in „Dassow, Kalkhorst, Klütz (castle)" and many more...
-Whooper Swan: in winter DS, SH, p...,
-Bewicks Swan: small numbers in winter together with Whooper Swans
-Mute Swan: c
-Bean Goose: migrant, on the fields in NWM (North Sea Coast !)
-White Fronted Goose: migrant, on the fields in NWM (c North Sea coast !)
-Brent Goose: migrant in small numbers (North Sea coast !)
-Barnacle Goose: migrant (North Sea coast !)
-Shelduck:c RS, S/K, SB...
-Wigeon: c migrant RS, SB...
-Mallard: c
-Gadwall: c RS, SB...
-Pintail: migrant RS, SB,..
-Shoveler: c RS, SB,...
-Teal: c RS, SB,...
-Garganey: RS
-Pochard: c
-Tufted Duck: c
-Scaup: in winter till early spring DS !! (single individuals can be seen with luck in summer at DS)
-Eider: c in winter at the coast, Tr...., in small numbers as well in summer. In summer still c. at the North sea coast and around the Island of Fehmarn
-Long-tailed Duck: c offshore in winter (NWM, Tr.,..)
-Common Scoter: offshore in winter (NWM, Tr.,..)
-Velvet Scoter: p offshore in winter (NWM)
-Goldeneye: c in winter rather c troughout the year at DS, SH,...(breeding ?)
-Smew: DS, SB, RS in winter
-Red-brested Merganser: in summer SH, DS, SH, ...in winter offshore
-Goosander:in summer DS, SB, some areas along the river Wakenitz, c in winter
-Black Kite: always p but rare east of Lübeck for example H-Sa, SMN
-Red Kite: rather easy to see east of Lübeck (NWM) for example around the rubbish damp at Schönberg, H-Sa,....
-Hen Harrier: migrant
-Marsh Harrier: rather c SB, H-Sa,...can be seen in most places with reedbeds.
-Sparrowhawk: rather c
-Goshawk: no safe site known but always p..
-Honey Buzzard: rare but p H-Sa, NWM, also migrant, rather c migrant on the island of Fehmarn
-Buzzard: c
-Rough-legged Buzzard: rare but p winter , Island of Fehmarn is better
-White-tailed Eagle: With some luck White-tailed Eagles can be seen everywhere, especially east of Lübeck. Good are the DS and the SB.
-Osprey: migrant
-Kestrel: c
-Hobby: rare breeder and migrant, no safe site known, „Brook (NWM)", H-Sa, RS are the best sites
-Grey Partridge: no safe sight known but p. everywhere in farmland especially in NWM
-Pheasant: c
-Quail: rather c at MW !, p everywhere in open farmland (NWM...)
-Corncrake: MW !, H-P, H-Sa,
-Water Rail: SB, S,...(The „Stau" is probably the best place to see one)
-Moorhen: c, sometimes not so easy in summer but the „Stadtpark" (parc in Lübeck near the „Travemünder- Allee"/street is a safe breeding site.
-Coot: c
-Crane: SMN, H-Sa,... breeds east and south of Luebeck especially in small wet forests, rather easy to see. contact local birders,
Waders only visit the Luebeck area in small numbers. For a good variety of species you should plan a day trip to the North Sea coast or the Island of Fehmarn. Some species of waders overwinter in small numbers along the North Sea coast.
-Oystercatcher: SB, SH, RS, S, breeds near the city at the „Gustav Radbruch Platz"
-Avocet: rare migrant at S, RS (c at the North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Ringed Plover: breeds in small numbers at the S and along the beaches in NWM (for example at Brook) also migrant, Tr, p along the coast (c at North Sea coast/Fehmarn)
-Little Ringed Plover: rather c , RS,..
-Golden Plover: migrant in small numbers S, RS (c migrant North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Grey Plover: migrant in small numbers S, RS (c migrant North Sea coast)
-Lapwing: rather c in summer, small flocks overwinter on fields in NWM
-Turnstone: migrant in small numbers at Tr.,... (migrant North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Sanderling: migrant Tr.,.. along the coast
-Knot: migrant along the coast Tr.,... (North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Curlew Sandpiper: migrant S, RS, Tr.,.. (North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Dunlin: migrant S, RS, Tr
-Little Stint: migrant S, RS, Tr.,..
-Temmincks Stint: migrant S (recorded every year at S),
-Ruff: migrant S, RS (breeding/ migrant North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Curlew: rather c migrant along the coast but usually only passing through (breeding/ c migrant North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Whimbrel: p but rare migrant
-Black-tailed Godwit: migrant ( rather c migrant North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Bar-tailed Godwit: migrant in small numbers S, RS ( c migrant North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Redshank: migrant S, RS.. (c breeder North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Spotted Redshank: migrant S/K, RS (migrant North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Greenshank: migrant S/K, RS (migrant North Sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Green Sandpiper: migrant RS, S and possible breeder ,every wet forest, small pool or canal is worth a check especially east of Lübeck (NWM)
-Wood Sandpiper: c migrant S, RS
-Common Sandpiper: c migrant SB, S, RS,...
-Woodcock: rather c in all forests (Lauerholz, Wesloer Forst, Palinger Heide)
-Common Snipe: migrant SB, RS, S, H-Sa, breeds SMN (North sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Red-necked Phalarope: rare migrant S ( recorded 1998) ( easier North sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Mediterranean Gull: RS but not regular, one bird overwintered 96/97,97/98 and 98/99,... in the Travemünde harbour, contact local birders for sites. The best place is the RS. In some years there has been a pair there, so in 2003
-Little Gull: migrant RS, SB, Tr...
-Black-headed Gull: c
-Common Gull: c
-Herring Gull: c
-Yellow-legged Gull: usually there are always 1 or 2 birds in the Travemünde harbour.
-Great-Black-backed Gull: c
-Lesser Black-backed Gull: rather c in winter
-Common Tern: c
-Arctic Tern: always p. along the coast, migrant (North sea coast, Fehmarn)
-Black Tern: migrant RS and other lakes, breeding sites are not far away from Luebeck (Plöner See).
-Sandwich Tern: always p. along the coast, Tr.,... North Sea coast is much better
-Little Tern: always p. along the coast,.. much better is the North Sea coast and the island of Fehmarn
-Woodpigeon: c
-Stock Dove: p around forests in Lübeck and NWM, rather c In the Stepnitz Niederung
-Collared Dove: c
-Cuckoo: c
-Long-eared Owl: no safe breeding site known, contact local birders, some overwinter at Travemünde /Priwall
-Eagle Owl: Bred in the Egidien church till 1996. 1997 there was only a calling male. Several sightings 1998, but there are rather safe breeding sites in Luebeck, contact local birders as detailed site information shouldnt be published.
-Tawny Owl: all forest
-Barn Owl: breeding MW and in the viallage of „Vorrade" (south of Luebeck)
-Swift: c
-Kingfisher: SMN, SB, all along the river Wakenitz, many other sites in 2000
-Black Woodpecker: rather c... H-P, H-Sa, Lauerholz,.. found in.most forests with old trees
-Green Woodpecker: no safe breeding site known but p everywhere, this species is rare in Lübeck but rather c around Hamburg and Bad Oldesloe (small town between Lübeck and Hamburg)
-Middle Spotted Woodpecker: Lauerholz ! (rather easy in early spring March- April when they are calling, difficult later in the year but contact local birders)
-Great Spotted Woodpecker: c
-Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: rather easy to locate in spring and early summer when they are calling, contact local birders, sites for example SMN, H-Sa,...
-Skylark: c
-Woodlark: rather c at H-P and H-Sa
-Crested Lark: NWM !
-Sand Martin:c RS, SH, p...
-Swallow: c
-House Martin: c
-Water Pipit: winters SB, S/K
-Rock Pipit: winters along the coast
-Tree Pipit: H-Sa, H-P,...
-Meadow Pipit: SMN, SB , ... other wet and open areas
-White Wagtail: c
-Grey Wagtail: breeds in some of the narrow parts of the river Trave but not very close to Lübeck. The mill at the river trave south of the town of Segeberg (about 30 km north of Lübeck) is a rather safe place (We try to find closer sites !).
-Yellow Wagtail:RS, c NWM, farmland around Lübeck
-Waxwing: flocks can turn up everywhere in winter (gardens with berry-bushes) You need luck !!!
-Wren: c
-Dunnock: c
-Robin: c
-Thrush Nightingale: SMN,...NWM
-Nightingale: SH, MW, c in NWM, p...
-Bluethroat: rare breeder Dassower See behind the watchtower , also breeds in the reedbeds at the SB in the far eastern part of the „Große Lagune" (the bigger lake)
-Redstart: c
-Black Redstart: c
-Whinchat: H-Sa, SMN, MW p...rather c around extensive farmland
-Stonechat: rare breeder 1999, no safe site known 2000. Successfull breeding 2001 at the little hill at Herrenburg (see Herrenburg-Schattin area 6.1.2)
-Wheatear: rare migrant especially NWM where it ocours in open areas, sometimes around the huge fat stock stables. Rather c at the North Sea Coast and on the Island of Fehmarn/Grüner Brink
-Blackbird: c
-Fieldfare: c migrant in autumn, winter and spring
-Redwing: c migrant
-Song Thrush: c
-Mistle Thrush: rather c breeder H-P, H-Sa, Lauerholz ...
-Savis Warbler: SMN, SB
-River Warbler: SMN, H-Sa , MW ..
-Grasshopper Warbler: rather c
-Great Reed Warbler: became very rare in the past years, one singing bird at S in 2000, rare breeder around some lakes south of Lübeck (Mechower See, Schaalsee, Röggeliner See,...)
-Sedge Warbler: SMN, SB
-Marsh Warbler: c
-Reed Warbler: c
-Icterine Warbler: c
-Garden Warbler: c
-Lesser Whitethroat: c
-Whitethroat: c
-Blackcap: c
-Barred Warbler: breeds at SH near the carpark, also possible Dassower See,...
-Wood Warbler: c in forests
-Willow Warbler c
-Chiffchaff: c
-Goldcrest: c
-Firecrest: rather c in the Lauerholz
-Pied Flycatcher: rather c Lauerholz
-Spotted Flycatcher: c
-Red breasted Flycatcher: There is one safe site but it is very hard to find. Contact local birders.
-Bearded Tit: SB !, Stepenitz Niederung, DS
-Penduline Tit: This species used to be rather common at SB and S till the late 90ies. Meanwhile it became very rare ! In the year 2000 I only had one sighting near the fishponds in Schönberg/NWM so conatct local birders for news!
-Marsh Tit: c
-Willow Tit: rather c
-Crested Tit: H-P, H-Sa,..
-Blue Tit: c
-Great Tit: c
-Coal Tit: c
-Long Tailed Tit: rather c
-Nuthatch: c
-Short-toed Treecreeper: c
-Treecreeper: c
-Red- backed Shrike: rather c
-Great Grey Shrike: very rare but p especially in winter and spring at H-Sa
-Starling: c
-Golden Oriole: rare breeder in wet areas along the river Wakenitz, H-P, H-Sa
-Jay: c
-Magpie:c
-Jackdaw: c
-Raven: c
-Carrion Crow: c
-Rook:c
-Tree Sparrow: c
-House Sparrow: c
-Chaffinsh: c
-Brambling: migrant
-Hawfinsh: rather c
-Serin: c
-Siskin: c in winter and spring, rare in summer
-Greenfinsh: c
-Goldfinsh: c
-Bullfinsh: rather c
-Redpoll: c in winter, is verly likely to breed in Lübeck as it can be seen rather easily in summer even close to the city
-Linnet: c
-Scarlet Rosefinch: Probably the safest place are the bushes near the beach at Brook and Barendorf in NWM. I guess there are many places especially near the Baltic in NWM where you can find them. The watchtower at the Dassower See is good too.
-Common Crossbill: In some years they are likely to breed in the Lübeck area. Try the Lübeck forests and the forests around H-P and H-Sa.
-Corn Bunting: only in NWM where it is a rather c species especially in the area between Selmsdorf, Dassow, Klütz and Brook
-Yellowhammer: c
-Reed Bunting: c
-Snow Bunting: rare migrant in Lübeck, North Sea coast and Island of Fehmarn is safer
Other species:
This list contains some species which are very rare in Luebeck but which you should get in spring and summer at other sites in the northwest of Germany.
-Gannet: island of Heligoland
-Most species of Geese can be seen in small numbers throughout the year at the North Sea coast or on the island of Fehmarn
-Bean Goose: migrant North Sea coast
-Pink-footed Goose: migrant North Sea coast
-White -fronted Goose: migrant North Sea coast
-Canada Goose: Island of Fehmarn
-Brent Goose: winters North Sea coast
-Barnacle Goose: migrant North Sea coast
-Red Crested Pochard: Fehmarn, Plöner See!
-Montagus Harrier: North Sea coast, for example „Meldorfer Bucht"
-Black-tailed Godwit: North Sea Coast, Fehmarn
-Broad -billed Sandpiper: rare migrant in Lübeck S( recorded 1998), also rare but easier to see at North Sea coast an Fehmarn end of May and August/September
-Kittiwake:p. along the North Sea coast. Breeds on the island of Heligoland.
-Gull-billed Tern: Meldorfer Bucht/North Sea Coast (rare breeder !).
-Sandwich Tern: North Sea, Fehmarn
-Arctic Tern: North/ Baltic Sea, Fehmarn
-Little Tern: North/Baltic Sea, Fehmarn
-Guillemot: Heligoland
-Razorbill: Heligoland
-Puffin: p on Heligoland
-Nightjar: In warm summer evenings the Fischbecker Heide is a good place. The area is also good for Woodlark. The Fischbecker Heide is situated south of Hamburg (it still belongs to Hamburg !) From Hamburg Harburg take the B 73 (Cuxhavener Straße) towards Cuxhaven/Neugraben-Fischbeck/Neuwiedenthal. After a 10 minutes drive you will reach Neugraben-Fischbeck. Take the small road called "Scharlbarg" to the left and continue till the road ends. Stop at the carpark and take the walking track which goes straight on. Especially the heathland to the right of the track is good. You can also take small tracks leading to the right but dont`t get lost - the area can be confusing especially at night !!!
-Green Woodpecker: Most forest in and around Hamburg.
-Shore Lark: Fehmarn and North Sea coast in winter or autumn
-Snow Bunting: Fehmarn and North Sea coast in winter or autumn
Rare Birds:
Every year lots of rare and very rare birds have been reported from the north of Germany. The island of Heligoland is definitely the best hot spot for all kinds of rarities especially for Sibirian Warblers or Pipits. For rare Waders and Geese the North Sea Coast is the best area. These sites are fantastic for good birds especially in late spring autumn but they also have the advantage of a high concentration of good birders. and The best to get information are the homepages of the birdnet.de and of the OAG-Helgoland.de and of course local birders.
Every year some rarities turn up in Lübeck too. Marsh Sandpiper, Surf Scoter (very rare), Great White Eagret or White Winged Black Tern, Pallid Swift (2001) have been recorded in the past years.

Birdingpal Tim Herfurth
tim.herfurth@web.de

Last update 10/06/2013