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Parc du Heyritz

Alsace  >  France

Urban birdwatching in this park along the Canal du Rhône au Rhin in Strasbourg.

Added* by Philip Adams
Most recent update 12 prosinca 2024
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Description

Opened in 2014, Parc du Heyritz is a relatively new feature of Strasbourg. In September 2024, it became the first of the city's parks to be awarded "Refuge LPO" status as part of an ongoing collaboration between the local council and France's League for the Protection of Birds. A number of floating islands have been created to provide a habitat for a variety of aquatic birds to build their nests, and a pontoon has been constructed over the water to give visitors great viewing opportunities.

Parc du Heyritz is not only a wonderful place for introducing children to ornithology, it's an underrated birdwatching destination in its own right, close to the heart of Strasbourg. The most notable residents, and owners of some of the most peculiar feet that the avian world has to offer, are Liska and Mlakuša. They're joined by a particularly tame Siva Čaplja and a family of Egipatska guska, as well as both Ćubasti Gnjurac and Mali Gnjurac, and a steady passage of Veliki Vranac. In winter it's worth heading a little further towards Rive Etoile to see the visiting Krunata Patka too.

Riječni Galeb and Galeb klaukavac are permanent guests, as are Crna vrana, Gačac, Kos and Čvorak. The trees near to the water also provide a home for a number of smaller birds including Kratkoprsti puzavac, Velika Sjenica and Plavetna Sjenica. With a little luck, it may be possible to see raptors - Vjetruša, Kobac and Škanjac - at different times of the year.

Details

Access

Parc du Heyritz is located south of the city center of Strasbourg, along the Canal du Rhône au Rhin and near the Hôpital Civil. There are car parks at Rive Etoile and the Hôpital Civil, but it's probably easier to walk or take the tram to Etoile-Bourse (lines A and D).

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , River , Reedbeds , Scattered trees and bushes , Pond , Park , City/village

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

All year round

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

You can turn this into a longer walk by carrying on past the Mosque and following the River Ill. That's more worthwhile in the springtime when you may be able to find a number of passerines in the trees along the river.

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