Description
At almost any given time of the year great birds can be found on the ponds and in the surrounding meadows and reeds. A wide variety of special breeding birds, such as Bluethroat, numerous Sedge Warblers, Little Ringed Plover and Eurasian Hobby is completed by migrating wildfowl from autumn till spring. The area is also a favourite foraging site for a very wide array of raptors from Osprey, to White-tailed Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard and European Marsh Harrier. Species such as Red-footed Falcon, Pallid Harrier or White-winged Tern have become near-annual visitors.
Details
Access
Access is easiest by car as there are no subway stations nearby and buses only pass a few times a day.
Coming from Winsen or from Geesthacht, the easiest access is via the "Aueweg" in Drage. Then you just park somewhere near the pools to bird there, or you drive around the meadows, searching for raptors, storks or Grey Partridge.
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushes, Grassland, Wetland, Lake, Reedbeds, AgricultureConditions
Flat, Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring, Autumn, Spring migrationRoute
Paved road, Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot, Bicycle, CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Beware, several roads are only open to agricultural traffic!
The sites are still being used for the extraction of clay soil, which helps keeping the pools open from too much vegetation.
Birdingplaces Near
The "Lower Seeve lowlands (Untere Seeveniederung)" can be quite interesting, including Geese, ducks, and other openland species.
At the "Staustufe Geesthacht" one may find interesting ducks, gulls or even a beaver.
On the other side of the river Elbe lies the nature reserve "Kirchwerder Wiesen", where some of Hamburgs last Black-tailed Godwits, Garganeys and Black Terns survive.
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