Description
Autodrive in the Diepholz district in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) between Vechta and Barnsdorf. Start by sunrise when the Common Crane go from there nightshelter (Barnsdorfer-Vechtaer moor) to the feeding grounds between Vechta and Barnsdorf. The feeding area is very outstretched in this area but here you find a lot of small roads with flocks of Common Crane feeding in the farmland.
Details
Access
Just drive the road that is shown on the map and you will find flocks of Common Crane in everywhere.
Terrain and Habitat
GrasslandConditions
FlatCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
AutumnBest time to visit
Autumn migrationRoute
Paved road, Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
Accessible by
CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
The areas around Diepholz are famous for the gathering of Common Crane every autumn. Diepholz has 24,000 hectares of peat bogs in eleven different areas. Between the areas are small villages and lots of corn fields and grassland. Most visitors are gathered around a few large observation towers, and the rest of the area is usually quiet. The thousands of birds gather here in Germany during the Common Crane migration to fat up for their trip to the more southern wintering grounds. During this period, the number may reach in the tens of thousands. During te day the birds are foraging (feeding) on the different corn fields in the area and in the evening they fly in great numbers to their sleeping places in the peat bogs around Diepholz. The best time of the year, with the biggest amounts of Common Crane is during the last two weeks of october, and the first week in november.
Links
Birdingplaces Near
Dümmersee and Rehdener Geestmoor