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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 Ποταμοσφυριχτής 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 Ποταμοσφυριχτής is the region's flagship species, over 200 bird species have been recorded here. The steep banks provide nesting sites for (Ευρωπαϊκή) Αλκυόνη and (Ευρωπαϊκός) Νεροκότσυφας. In the floodplain forests, breeding birds like Νανοδρυοκολάπτης, (Ευρωπαϊκός) Κούκος, and possibly Δεντρογέρακο, which can be observed from April to September, find their habitats. (Ευρωπαϊκός) Συκοφάγος and (Κοινό) Αηδόνι are relatively common, possibly you might see a (Κοινός) Νυχτοκόρακας or (Κοινός) Λευκοτσικνιάς. (Ξανθός) Κρυπτοτσικνιάς has also been observed.
Waders and waterbirds use the delta as a stopover during spring and autumn migrations. The Πρασινοσκέλης is among the most frequent visitors. Other common sightings during migration seasons include Λασπότρυγγας, Δασότρυγγας, Αμμοσφυριχτής, and (Κοινή) Νανοσκαλίδρα. Less common species like Χαλικοκυλιστής and Σταχτιά Νανοσκαλίδρα make appearances. During these times, the reeds are utilized by Υφάντρα and Καλαμόκιρκος.
In spring, the delta additionally hosts Κοκκινοσκέλης and Μαχητής, as well as Σιγλίγουρος and Μαυροκέφαλος Γλάρος. Inland, (Κοινός) Φοινίκουρος finds refuge in the floodplain forest. Later in spring and into summer, the Δασοφυλλοσκόπος appears here, and over the lake, migrating Μαυρογλάρονο can be spotted. Exceptional sightings include its relatives, the Αργυρογλάρονο, Μουστακογλάρονο, (Ευρωπαϊκό) Νανογλάρονο, Γελογλάρονο, and Χειμωνογλάρονο.
In late summer, the rare Λευκοσκαλίδρα is occasionally reported, while from September through May, Βαρβάρα can be seen resting on the lake. Autumn brings irregular sightings of Αργυροπούλι, followed later by the more frequent Λασποσκαλίδρα. From winter to spring, (Ευρασιατική) Χουλιαρόπαπια and (Ευρωπαϊκό) Σφυριχτάρι rest on the lake, but rarer birds are also possible, as one sighting of Χιονόπαπια proves.
The Kanderdelta is also a hotspot for rare waders. Eight confirmed sightings of (Ευρωπαϊκός) Στρειδοφάγος have been recorded in April and June. Other notable species include Κοκκινοσκαλίδρα, (Ευρωπαϊκή) Αβοκέτα, Θαλασσοσφυριχτής, and (Ευρωπαϊκή) Πετροτουρλίδα. Additional rarities such as Ωχροκελάδα, Παγοβούτι, Κιτρινοστριτσίδα, (Ευρωπαϊκό) Βροχοπούλι, Μικρογαλιάντρα, Ερυθρόλαιμος Φαλαρόποδας, Χειμωνοβουτηχτάρι, Δενδροχελίδονο, Γερακοληστόγλαρος, Αετοληστόγλαρος, Sabine's Gull, and Κουφομπεκάτσινο 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 Ποταμοσφυριχτής 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.