Discover the bird life in the Lake District 

As on every first Saturday in May, birdwatchers from all over Germany set out this year with binoculars and spotting scopes to hunt for birds. Over 1.000 teams with more than 3.000 bird racers had 24 hours to add as many bird species as possible to their observation list. The Seenland-Spöker team, consisting of Hermann Mattes, Andreas Lorenz, and Kai Pagenkopf, participated for the fourth time!

The excursion began at 3:30 a.m., before sunrise. Even before getting out of bed, a bittern could be heard calling with its deep, booming song. At the first stop in Köllnitz, on the Groß-Schauener chain of lakes, other nocturnal species such as the tawny owl and nightingale were added to the list. The journey continued into the forests and meadows around Philadelphia. With the first rays of sunlight, the hoopoe awoke, common and black terns began their elegant flights, and numerous wading birds probed for food in the flooded fen meadows. Around midday, the Friedländer Ponds south of Beeskow, with their many duck species, were on the agenda. The forests and lakes of the beautiful Schlaubetal valley rounded off the afternoon. In the evening light, migrating and breeding meadow birds along the Oder River near Neuzelle displayed their most beautiful side. A nighttime excursion into the Reicherskreuzer Heath brought an eventful day to a close.

With 117 species identified, the team improved the previous record by four. No wonder, given the glorious weather and fantastic observation areas, which were never boring during the 20 hours of observation work. We're already looking forward to next year! 

Adebar is not only the name of the white stork, which is now returning to the lake district from its winter quarters. Behind the abbreviation... ADEBAR also hidden the "Atlas of German Breeding Bird Species"Published by the umbrella organization of German ornithologists (DDA), this monumental work presents the most comprehensive inventory of native birdlife The main goal of ADEBAR is to document the distribution and abundance of all bird species breeding in Germany. The atlas thus provides an indispensable scientific basis for species and nature conservation.

What makes ADEBAR special is its citizen science approach: The enormous amount of data is collected through the unpaid work of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers. Using a standardized methodology, these surveyors record, within a nationwide grid, which birds breed where and how large the respective populations are.

Several volunteer surveyors are also active in the lake district this year. One of them is Hermann Mattes, former professor of landscape ecology at the University of Münster. He is a regular visitor to Brandenburg and knows the lake district like the back of his hand. "I chose a particularly beautiful area for the survey," Hermann explains during a coffee break. "The area around Lake Großschauen between Köllnitz, Busch, and Philadelphia offers variety and exciting bird species. Now, in early spring, woodpeckers and owls are courting, so I'm mainly out in the forests. On a good day, you can hear and see all the woodpeckers, from the lesser spotted woodpecker to the middle spotted woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, black woodpecker, and green woodpecker. At dusk and at night, the tawny owls become active."

Another mapping weekend is already scheduled for next month. "In April, significantly more songbirds will be active," Hermann explains, "and the reed beds along the lakes will also be a worthwhile destination." The ADEBAR surveyors will continue recording breeding birds in the lake district until July. We're already looking forward to the results!

15.03.26

There is good news from the bird world in the Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park:

Successful Bittern Count 2025
This year's count of the rare bittern recorded ten calling males under ideal conditions at the Groß Schauen chain of lakes. The results underscore the stable population of this shy bird species. 

Bittern Count 2025

Young terns
In mid-June, 25 young Common Terns were ringed on the breeding island on the Woppusch River. Three more clutches are still in existence. There were also offspring on an old fishing boat, although breeding conditions there are suboptimal.

Young terns

Armed with binoculars, bird identification books, and plenty of curiosity, we embarked on a journey of discovery through the fascinating bird world of the Oder-Spree Lake District from April 26 to May 04, 2025. Our week of activities was all about shared observation, learning, and wonder—with guided tours, exciting workshops, and many small moments in nature that will be remembered for a long time.

Whether it was greylag geese in the morning mist, reed buntings flitting along the edge of the reeds, or majestic sea eagles soaring over Lake Scharmützelsee, numerous visitors have helped us sharpen their awareness of the feathered inhabitants of our region. The excursions, lectures, and hands-on activities with experienced ornithologists took place in the idyllic atmosphere of our special birdwatching hotels—places where not only species knowledge was imparted, but also the protection of valuable habitats was placed at the forefront.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, partners, and supporters – you made the action week a complete success! And for those who are curious to see more: The birdlife in the Oder-Spree Lake District is waiting to be discovered all year round.

📺 Tip: The contribution from the rbb magazine “The Day in Berlin & Brandenburg” provides a wonderful insight into the action week. 

Our Lakeland spy birds added 03 species to their observation list at the Bird Race on May 2025, 111. This surpassed the previous record of 110 species from last year! The weather initially cooperated, and by midday the team had "ticked" (as birdwatchers say) the forest bird species in Philadelphia and many water bird species in the Groß Schauen chain of lakes. Bitterns, hoopoes, and over 140 wood sandpipers are species that will make any birder's heart beat faster.

The tour continued across the lakes near Kossenblatt, the mouth of the Spree River into Lake Schwieloch near Sawall, and Beeskow to the Friedland ponds. Common terns, black terns, white-tailed eagles, and kestrels were also on the list, as was the now very rare crested lark. In the afternoon, the weather turned gloomy, but the team's mood remained the same. Even with light rain, the forests around Siedichum in the Schlaubetal valley were worth a visit. 

Towards evening, we headed to the Oder lowlands near Neuzelle, and at dusk to the Boulder Park in Henzendorf. Meadow Pipits and Great Grey Shrikes filled the list. As always, the evening highlight was the Reicherkreuz Heath. With the weather now improving, the nightjars courted with their rasping song until dark.

After an intensive 21 hours, the day's results were finalized: 111 species. This impressive result is all the more remarkable given that, due to the early start date, not all migratory birds had yet arrived in the Lake District. The team searched in vain for turtle doves and red-backed shrikes. They won't arrive until the next few days. The bird race was a highlight of our birdwatching week. The Oder-Spree Lake District has once again proven itself to be a real hot spot for birdwatchers!

At the 21st nationwide Bird Race, our "Seenland-Spökers" managed to break their own record. They were able to observe an incredible 111 species at the Bird Race 2024, which took place on Saturday, May 04th. From 3 a.m. to 23 p.m., they were out and about throughout the Lake District, diligently keeping their eyes and ears open for our feathered friends. Andreas Lorenz, Hermann Mattes and Kai Pagenkopf had fantastic weather this year and will definitely be back next year! 

A team called “Seenland-Spökers” was also out and about in the Oder-Spree district at the 20th nationwide bird race. Andreas Lorenz, Hermann Mattes and Kai Pagenkopf spent 06 hours in the field on May 19th and were able to add 103 bird species to their observation list.

"Saturday was the only rainy day of the week. But that didn't stop us, of course," says Hermann Mattes with a smile. The experienced bird racer has been there from the very beginning and has taken part in all of the "bird races" to date.

"Despite the bad weather, we managed to make some great observations. The lake district is simply perfect for bird watching," adds Kai Pagenkopf. Highlights were three calling wrynecks in the Oder floodplain near Neuzelle and the hoopoes in the Reicherskreuzer Heide. But the many lakes and the forests with their water and song birds were also worth a visit.

“We will be there again next year. And of course we will improve our result again,” Hermann Mattes is sure.

Which birds have other observers seen in Altfriedland, in Mönchwinkel, at Scharmützelsee or at the Große Schauener Lake Chain?

This is easy to find out. Simply scan the QR code on the observation huts and a current list of species will appear.

The citizen science platform “ornitho.de“ makes it possible!

“Reingezwitschert” is the NABU bird podcast for everyone who loves birds. Every 14 days, Martin and Fabian guide you through the world of ornithology - with exciting news about the bird world, feathered fun facts, absurd knowledge to show off and valuable tips for the house, garden and balcony. Always close to everyday life and, in contrast to their favorite creatures, not at all out of touch. Always listen: To the podcast!