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Description
The Kanderdelta is an artificial delta created in the 18th century. Before its construction, the Kander River bypassed Lake Thun entirely. The river deposits substantial amounts of gravel into the delta and the lake, necessitating regular gravel extraction. At the same time, these gravel banks have become one of the few remaining breeding sites for the kulík říční in Switzerland.
The delta features a dynamic mix of floodplain forests, still and flowing waters, gravel banks, and steep riverbanks, forming a unique and valuable natural habitat - a rarity in Switzerland. This exceptional ecosystem lies close to the city of Thun, resulting in conflicts between recreational use and conservation efforts. While the lakeshore is accessible year-round, there are even dedicated barbequing areas at the outer edge of the delta. A ranger frequently patrols the area, offering useful information to visitors.
Although the kulík říční is the region's flagship species, over 200 bird species have been recorded here. The steep banks provide nesting sites for ledňáček říční and skorec vodní. In the floodplain forests, breeding birds like strakapoud malý, kukačka obecná, and possibly ostříž lesní, which can be observed from April to September, find their habitats. Žluva hajní and slavík obecný are relatively common, possibly you might see a kvakoš noční or volavka stříbřitá. volavka vlasatá has also been observed.
Waders and waterbirds use the delta as a stopover during spring and autumn migrations. The vodouš šedý is among the most frequent visitors. Other common sightings during migration seasons include vodouš bahenní, vodouš kropenatý, kulík písečný, and jespák malý. Less common species like kamenáček pestrý and jespák šedý make appearances. During these times, the reeds are utilized by moudivláček lužní and moták pochop.
In spring, the delta additionally hosts vodouš rudonohý and jespák bojovný, as well as koliha malá and racek černohlavý. Inland, rehek zahradní finds refuge in the floodplain forest. Later in spring and into summer, the budníček lesní appears here, and over the lake, migrating rybák černý can be spotted. Exceptional sightings include its relatives, the rybák bělokřídlý, rybák bahenní, rybák malý, rybák černozobý, and rybák severní.
In late summer, the rare jespák písečný is occasionally reported, while from September through May, husice liščí can be seen resting on the lake. Autumn brings irregular sightings of kulík bledý, followed later by the more frequent jespák obecný. From winter to spring, lžičák pestrý and hvízdák eurasijský rest on the lake, but rarer birds are also possible, as one sighting of hoholka lední proves.
The Kanderdelta is also a hotspot for rare waders. Eight confirmed sightings of ústřičník velký have been recorded in April and June. Other notable species include jespák rezavý, tenkozobec opačný, kulík mořský, and Dytík úhorní. Additional rarities such as linduška úhorní, potáplice lední, sedmihlásek hajní, kulík zlatý, skřivánek krátkoprstý, lyskonoh úzkozobý, potápka žlutorohá, vlaštovka skalní, chaluha příživná, chaluha velká, racek Sabinův, and slučka malá have also been observed.
Details
Access
The Kanderdelta is easily accessible by bus from Thun (stop: Einigen, Kanderbrück). A parking lot is also available a few hundred meters away (Press P on the map). The area can only be explored on foot via a narrow path. This trail is not marked on maps and leads along the strictly protected Kander (1), where the kulík říční nests on the gravel banks, through floodplain forests, and past a still water body created by gravel extraction (Unteres Kandergrien), which is often visited by herons (2), to the delta (3).
Depending on the water level, the 30 to 40-meter-wide shoreline strip of the delta can be walked on. However, it’s obviously preferable not to disturb or approach any wading birds that might be present. On the other side of the Kandergrien, there is a meadow for lounging (4) with a good view of the lake, and a kiosk operates there during the warmer months.