b

Plan d'eau de Michelbach

Alsace  >  France

At the foot of the Vosges, south of Thann, the lake of the Michelbach dam hosts a good variety of birds all year long.

Geplaatst* door Martin Grienenberger
Meest recente update 12 februari 2020

Beschrijving

At the foot of the Vosges, south of Thann, the lake of Michelbach dam (located in the town of the same name) was created in the 1980s in order to capture water from Doller and Michelbach to regulate the supply of the groundwater from which the Mulhouse conurbation draws its drinking water.

Preservation of water resources and diversity of living things going hand in hand, the body of water quickly became a haven of life. Thanks to its classification as a “voluntary nature reserve”, which includes former plowing converted into meadows as well as small forest portions, colonization by avifauna is steadily increasing there, and its vocation of welcoming migratory birds is asserting itself . Bird watching is interesting all year round.

In spring, it is the nesting of Knobbelzwaan, Meerkoet, Wilde Eend, Fuut that attracts attention. The Grauwe Klauwier is found in orchards south of the water.

Summer is the good season for stopovers of waders and the passage of Visdief. At the end of summer and in autumn, with the drop in the level of the water, mud flats appear and are favorable for many species of shorebirds (Bonte Strandloper, Krombekstrandloper, Kleine Strandloper, Oeverloper, Groenpootruiter, Watersnip and rarities are always possible such as Temmincks Strandloper, ) and herons; Geoorde Fuut, Zwarte Stern and Visarend are also frequent the site.

Finally, in winter, it is easy to observe Aalscholver, Grote Zaagbek, for which the Michelbach site has become the reference extra-Rhine site in Alsace. Rare birds are recorded each year during this season: Middelste Zaagbek, Grote Zee-eend, divers, Topper, ... You can also search for Buidelmees among the Rietgors.

A beautiful walk begins from the parking lot (indicated by a sign), and takes the two dikes; a path goes around the body of water passing through a wood and an orchard. This circuit can be done in any season, except when the water is frozen.

Details

Toegang

The village of Michelbach (not to be confused with Michelbach-le-Bas near Saint-Louis) is a few kilometers south of Thann. Signs lead to the parking lot of the large dyke. Allow around 2 hours for the tour of the large reservoir, circuit marked out by the Club Vosgien.

Note: remind that it is necessary to stay strictly on paths and trails, and that intrusion into meadows and / or fields near the described sites is to be prohibited!

Terrein en leefgebied

Bos , Wetland , Vlakte , Meer , Slikken , Landbouw , Grasland/weide

Omstandigheden

Vlak

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Ja

Telescoop meenemen?

Ja

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Het hele jaar

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Winter , Najaarstrek

Route

Verharde weg , Breed pad

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemakkelijk

Toegankelijk via

Te voet , Fiets , Rolstoel

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Ja

Bekijk vogelgebieden in de buurt op Birdingplaces

Kaart

Top 5 vogels

Andere vogels die je hier kunt zien

Toon meer vogels Toon minder vogels
Toon meer foto's Toon minder foto's

Reacties & Tips

Geef feedback
Beoordeel dit gebied