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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 Kis lile 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 Kis lile is the region's flagship species, over 200 bird species have been recorded here. The steep banks provide nesting sites for Jégmadár and Vízirigó. In the floodplain forests, breeding birds like Kis fakopáncs, Kakukk, and possibly Kabasólyom, which can be observed from April to September, find their habitats. Sárgarigó and Fülemüle are relatively common, possibly you might see a Bakcsó or Kis kócsag. üstökösgém has also been observed.
Waders and waterbirds use the delta as a stopover during spring and autumn migrations. The Szürke cankó is among the most frequent visitors. Other common sightings during migration seasons include Réti cankó, Erdei cankó, Parti lile, and Apró partfutó. Less common species like kőforgató and Temminck-partfutó make appearances. During these times, the reeds are utilized by Függőcinege and Barna rétihéja.
In spring, the delta additionally hosts Piroslábú cankó and Pajzsoscankó, as well as Kis póling and Szerecsensirály. Inland, Kerti rozsdafarkú finds refuge in the floodplain forest. Later in spring and into summer, the sisegő füzike appears here, and over the lake, migrating kormos szerkő can be spotted. Exceptional sightings include its relatives, the fehérszárnyú szerkő, fattyúszerkő, Kis csér, Kacagócsér, and Kenti csér.
In late summer, the rare Fenyérfutó is occasionally reported, while from September through May, Bütykös ásólúd can be seen resting on the lake. Autumn brings irregular sightings of Ezüstlile, followed later by the more frequent Havasi partfutó. From winter to spring, Kanalas réce and Fütyülő réce rest on the lake, but rarer birds are also possible, as one sighting of jegesréce proves.
The Kanderdelta is also a hotspot for rare waders. Eight confirmed sightings of Csigaforgató have been recorded in April and June. Other notable species include Sarki partfutó, Gulipán, Széki lile, and Ugartyúk. Additional rarities such as Parlagi pityer, Jeges búvár, Kerti geze, Aranylile, szikipacsirta, vékonycsőrű víztaposó, Füles vöcsök, Vörhenyes fecske, Ékfarkú halfarkas, Nagy halfarkas, Fecskesirály, and Kis sárszalonka 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 Kis lile 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.