Description
The large open water surface of the reservoir and the little amount of disturbance during wintertime attracts thousands of wintering waterbirds, making the area one of the best places in North Rhine-Westphalia to look for ducks etc. Κηλιδοβούτι, Λαμπροβούτι, Χειμωνοβουτηχτάρι, Κοκκινοβουτηχτάρι, Θαλασσοπρίστης, Νανοπρίστης, Σταχτόπαπια, Βελουδόπαπια and (Ευρωπαϊκή) Μαυρόπαπια are recorded regularly (but not annually), besides high numbers of the more common species like Γκισάρι, Μαυροκέφαλη Πάπια, (Ευρωπαϊκή) Βουκεφάλα, Χηνοπρίστης, Σκουφοβουτηχτάρι and (Κοκκινόλαιμο) Νανοβουτηχτάρι. The rivers that feed and exit the lake are holding several breeding pairs of (Ευρωπαϊκός) Νεροκότσυφας, (Ευρωπαϊκή) Αλκυόνη and Σταχτοσουσουράδα. The surrounding forests are also interesting, where some territories of Σταχτής Δρυοκολάπτης can be found. With low water levels in late summer and autumn, the resulting mudflats become attractive for migrating waders, like Λασποσκαλίδρα, Ακτίτης, Πρασινοσκέλης, Ποταμοσφυριχτής and Αμμοσφυριχτής.
Details
Access
There are several (mostly paid) parking possibilities around the lake. Considering the size of the lake it's best to take the road around the lake by car and stop at interesting lookout places, e.g. the dam in the northwest corner or the bridges. The southern part of the lake is not accessible by car, it's possible to park the car and explore the shore by foot or bike.


