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Neuer Garten

Brandenburg  >  Germany

One of the landscape parks in the Berlin-Potsdam area. Often crowded but good for birding in the early hours. A nice place if you are in the area.

Added* by Lukas Pelikan
Most recent update 2 September 2020
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Description

The New Garden (in German: Neuer Garten) is one of the old parks in Potsdam in the style of an English landscape garden. Built in the 18th century, 'new' refers to newer than Sanssouci Park. The park is known for being the centre of the Potsdam Conference in 1945.

It still has many scattered old oak trees and lush undergrowth making it an ideal place to see Middle Spotted Woodpecker (five territories), Common Nightingale (up to 20 territories) and Icterine Warbler (around seven territories).

In autumn you can spot migrant warblers in the bushes and trees, especially in the northern parts. Firecrest is seen regularly in spring, summer and rarely even in winter. In late winter it is one of the best places for Bohemian Waxwing (annually). Scan the trees that have mistletoes! Many thrushes also feed on the mistletoes as well as on yew berries in early spring.

The adjacent lake Heiliger See is mainly interesting in winter when thousands of diving ducks rest on the lake. The majority are Tufted Duck and Common Pochard, and also hybrids between the two are common. Mandarin Duck hide under trees that hang low over the water surface. Rarer ducks are Greater Scaup and dabbling ducks. Rarities have been Velvet Scoter, Ferruginous Duck and Long-tailed Duck. The best vantage point for waterfowl is the terrace of Marmor Palace (see map). A scope can be useful sometimes.

The park can be quite crowded, especially in summer and on weekends. It is less crowded in cold and harsh weather and in the very early hours of the day.

Details

Access

It is best to get there via public transport. There are several bus routes and tramways operating with stops nearby. Most include a short walk to one of the entrances of the park.

There is a small car park near Cecilienhof (fee required).

Within the park it is best to walk. Cycling is not encouraged. Entrances are on every side of the park's boundaries.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , City/village

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Winter

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Additionally you can visit the high towers of the Belvedere on the Pfingstberg, which give an incredible view over Potsdam and the surrounding river Havel and its lakes (entrance fee required). It is just 800 m to the west of the New Garden.

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Map

Top 5 birds

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