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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 Petit Gravelot 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 Petit Gravelot is the region's flagship species, over 200 bird species have been recorded here. The steep banks provide nesting sites for Martin-pêcheur d'Europe and Cincle plongeur. In the floodplain forests, breeding birds like Pic épeichette, Coucou gris, and possibly Faucon hobereau, which can be observed from April to September, find their habitats. Loriot d'Europe and Rossignol philomèle are relatively common, possibly you might see a Bihoreau gris or Aigrette garzette. Crabier chevelu has also been observed.
Waders and waterbirds use the delta as a stopover during spring and autumn migrations. The Chevalier aboyeur is among the most frequent visitors. Other common sightings during migration seasons include Chevalier sylvain, Chevalier culblanc, Grand Gravelot, and Bécasseau minute. Less common species like Tournepierre à collier and Bécasseau de Temminck make appearances. During these times, the reeds are utilized by Rémiz penduline and Busard des roseaux.
In spring, the delta additionally hosts Chevalier gambette and Combattant varié, as well as Courlis corlieu and Mouette mélanocéphale. Inland, Rougequeue à front blanc finds refuge in the floodplain forest. Later in spring and into summer, the Pouillot siffleur appears here, and over the lake, migrating Guifette noire can be spotted. Exceptional sightings include its relatives, the Guifette leucoptère, Guifette moustac, Sterne naine, Sterne hansel, and Sterne caugek.
In late summer, the rare Bécasseau sanderling is occasionally reported, while from September through May, Tadorne de Belon can be seen resting on the lake. Autumn brings irregular sightings of Pluvier argenté, followed later by the more frequent Bécasseau variable. From winter to spring, Canard souchet and Canard siffleur rest on the lake, but rarer birds are also possible, as one sighting of Harelde boréale proves.
The Kanderdelta is also a hotspot for rare waders. Eight confirmed sightings of Huîtrier pie have been recorded in April and June. Other notable species include Bécasseau maubèche, Avocette élégante, Gravelot à collier interrompu, and Oedicnème criard. Additional rarities such as Pipit rousseline, Plongeon imbrin, Hypolaïs ictérine, Pluvier doré, Alouette calandrelle, Phalarope à bec étroit, Grèbe esclavon, Hirondelle rousseline, Labbe parasite, Grand Labbe, Mouette de Sabine, and Bécassine sourde have also been observed.
Détails
Accès
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 Petit Gravelot 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.