Birdwatching at the Ziltendorfer Niederung

The Ziltendorfer Niederung is one of the most important bird watching areas in the Oder-Spree Lake District. Nestled between the Oder in the east and the Oder-Spree Canal in the west, the extensive floodplain landscape offers exciting observation opportunities all year round. From songbirds in spring to large flocks of geese and swans in winter - many rare species can be discovered here.

Start / Finish: Aurith
Length / Duration: 8 kilometers, about 2 hours
Road condition / route development: predominantly paved and asphalted paths
Course: Aurith, Mittlere Oder, Kunitzer Seegraben, Aurith

Directions
The tour begins in the small town of Aurith, where there is a restaurant where you can get some refreshment. A short walk up the dyke leads to a vantage point with a wide view over the Middle Oder nature reserve. The landscape is characterized by extensively grazed floodplains, reed areas and backwaters - a diverse mosaic of different habitats.

In spring and summer, numerous songbirds can be heard here. Great reed warblers with their creaky song, sedge warblers with their melodious sounds and nightingales that sing their impressive song in the bushes. The whistling of the bright yellow orioles can be heard from the treetops. Black kites, hoopoes, red-backed shrikes and wrynecks can also be seen along the dyke.

The inland is particularly attractive in autumn and winter. The flat lowlands then become a gathering place for geese and swans. In the northwest, large groups of whooper swans and white-fronted geese can often be seen, accompanied by majestic cranes. Now it is also worth looking up at the sky: Rough-legged buzzards from the far north hover in the air, searching for something, while sea eagles circle majestically all year round.

With a little luck, you can also see beavers and otters. In spring, the dull call of the fire-bellied toads is a special natural experience.