At the 20th nationwide bird race in spring 2023, a team called “Seenland-Spökers” was also out and about in the Oder-Spree Lake District. We spoke to one of the three passionate ornithologists, Kai Pagenkopf, to make bird watching even more interesting for you in the cold season.
Why are autumn and winter one of the best seasons for birdwatching?
Autumn is an excellent time to observe migratory birds. Swallows and starlings gather and sometimes form impressively large flocks before they move to their southern winter quarters. They are joined by birds from northern areas that are now migrating south over the Lakeland. In particular, birds of prey such as the honey buzzard or the red and black kite can be seen circling in the sky when the weather is good.
In autumn, many northern migratory birds reach us and spend the whole winter in the lake district. Cranes from Scandinavia sometimes migrate further south, but quite a few stay here and can often be seen up close in the fields. Nordic geese and swans join them. Large flocks of ducks and coots gather on the lakes. Hundreds or even thousands of birds then swim together on the Scharmützelsee or the Groß Schauener lakes. A real spectacle for all nature lovers!
Which species can only be observed in the Lake District in autumn and winter?
In almost all habitats we now find species that breed in northern regions and use the lakeland for wintering. Cranes, whooper swans, white-fronted geese and greylag geese populate the open land, while on the lakes goosander and goldeneyes are attractive species that can be observed from the promenades. But it is also worth looking up at the sky, because in good weather there is a good chance of seeing rough-legged buzzards, which only visit us from Scandinavia in winter.
Where is the best place to go for observation?
You can actually see birds everywhere in winter. It starts at your bird feeder at home. Chaffinches and greenfinches, siskins and grosbeaks, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and many species of tit regularly visit gardens. The real highlight areas are the lakes. They are all an El Dorado for ducks and divers. Incidentally, a walk in the forest is also worthwhile in winter. When the trees are leafless, the small songbirds can be observed much better than in summer. In addition, many forest birds start breeding early in the year. Black and great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, treecreepers and tits are particularly active then and attract attention with their calls and songs.
Why does the Ornitho app offer so much potential for bird enthusiasts?
Ornitho (www.ornitho.de) is a so-called "citizen science platform". Anyone who has registered with Ornitho can easily report their bird sightings and of course also see what other people have observed. This means you can plan your next observation round from home and see, for example, which lakes have a lot of ducks. If you like, you can also download the "NaturaList" app. This allows you to enter your own observations directly on a map in the field. At the touch of a button you can also display all the species that have been seen in the immediate vicinity. In some places in the Lake District this is also possible without an app: at the hotspots you will find QR codes that you can scan and then a list of observations is displayed.
What is the Birdrace? What were your experiences last year? Will you be competing again next year as a Seenland team?
The Bird Race is a nationwide event that takes place every year on the first Saturday in May. Teams come together all over Germany and have 24 hours to see as many bird species as possible. This year we were part of the “Seenland-Spöker” team. The weather was awful bad, but that doesn’t stop enthusiastic observers of course… With 103 bird species, the list is a long one. But it’s not just the number of species, the fun of “species hunting” is even more important. There’s not a single moment of boredom! Unforgettable for us were the many woodpeckers, the early morning woodcock, the great grey shrike, which is also very rare in the Lakeland, and the tawny owl, which called right next to our accommodation shortly before midnight and was the last species to be added to the list.
How should you behave when birdwatching?
Rule number 1: Don't disturb the birds! If geese or swans are startled, they use up a lot of energy trying to flee, which they then have to feed themselves later. Above all, you should not approach breeding birds. If you happen to find a nest or a nesting hole, move away immediately so as not to disturb the raising of the young. With binoculars you can make great observations even from a distance and see the birds behaving undisturbed.
What are your must-haves for birdwatching? What do you always have with you?
I don't leave the house without binoculars! There's always something flying around, and some exciting sightings come about completely unexpectedly. A spotting scope - a large telescope with a tripod - is a must for a "real" birdwatching excursion, as it allows you to see and identify birds well from great distances. But not everyone needs one for an everyday outing.
A good identification book is also important. These are now available as an app for smartphones, so you don't have to lug a heavy book around with you. The smartphone also offers other advantages: If you don't know the songs of birds, you can listen to bird calls for comparison or use an app like "Birdnet", which does the identification based on the song.
How does the weather influence bird behavior?
In general, many bird species are more active or simply easier to see in good weather. This is particularly noticeable with large birds of prey. Buzzards and sea eagles use the thermals and spiral into the sky. They are easy to observe. Swans, geese and cranes are less picky; they can be found in the fields of the Lake District even in cloudy weather.
Is climate change affecting animal behavior?
Yes, the effects of climate change are clearly noticeable. Many migratory birds are returning from their winter quarters earlier, and many individuals of some species are no longer migrating at all and are now staying in the Lake District for the whole winter. Many cranes and even some white storks no longer make the effort to migrate south. But songbirds such as chiffchaffs and blackcaps also appear in gardens again and again in winter.