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Description
The Rhine Delta is protected under Natura 2000 and Ramsar Convention and situated on the shores of Lake Constance (Bodensee). It comprises the alluvial forest at the old Rhine, meadows, reed beds, mudflats and shallow water. Also intensively used areas and dams are part of the reserve. At the Rhine Delta two migration routes meet: the northern rim of the Alps and the Rhine valley that is used by many migrants for crossing the Alps. This is why so many rarities are recorded here. We focus here on the Sanddelta with it's interesting mudflats and lagoon. Some rarities that are regularly seen here are: Hvitøyeand, Smålom, Topphegre, Aftenfalk, Alaskasnipe, Tyvjo, Rovterne, Hortulan and Hekkspurv.
Best times visiting are sping and autumn and to a lesser degree summer and winter. Also depending on water level. Usually water level is lowest in winter and rises in spring (snow melt, precipitation with peak ussually May to mid June, usually drops again from mid August - within years water levels can vary substantially). With lower water level in spring and autumn it can be good for waders and ducks.
Important breeders need usually higher water level like breeders in reedbeds as Purpurhegre, Dvergrørdrum, Trostesanger and on small articifcial islands and swimming platforms you find a bigger colony of Hettemåke (including several Svartehavsmåke) and Makrellterne. These colonies attract particularly in sping/summer other Terns and Gulls (all Chlidonias spec., Rødnebbterne, Splitterne and Rovterne - latter more regular in late summer/early autumn). Natthegre is a regular spring to summer visitor often found by scanning the edges of willow trees along water line.
Also in spring there are chances to see migrating passerines as Lappiplerke amongst thunbergi Gulerle, Markpiplerke and ocassionally Dverglerke can be found (latter typical overshooter as there have been also Rosenstær in late May). The bushes along the stony dyke can be also rewarding regarding migrating warblers (e.g. Eikesanger, Sivsanger, Hortulan, etc) which is true for spring and autumn.
Along the river or rather the stony dyke of the Rhine usually the first mudflats appear within the entire Lake Constance. Therefore chances to see waders and sandpipers can be very good. Many rarities among these have also be found (as e.g. Gulbrystsnipe, Bonapartesnipe, Alaskasnipe, Tereksnipe, etc.).
Any visit at almost any time of year can produce a surprising observation. The list of recorded bird species is very long for good reason for its position at eastern shore of lake, the Alpes as boundaries and the Rhine Valley as migration corridor.
From the parking (see P on the map) go straight and walk on the dam. After a short while you will find on your right hand side (at the New Rhine) interesting mudflats (if the water is low enough). At the right time of the year you find waders here. Check out the bushes, patches of reed, trees and areas of gravel - surprises have turned up everywhere. A little bit further on you will find a lagoon on your left hand side. Here Svartehavsmåke and Makrellterne are breeding. The reeds along Lagune host Dvergrørdrum. At the tip of the dyke, try some "seawatching" for skuas, divers and terns - depending on the season. You can circle this lagoon anticlockwise on your way back. The best mudflats (waders, gulls and rarities) are at the end of the dam. The total length (bi-directional) of the walk is about 6.5 km.
Details
Access
From Bregenz in the direction to Fußach. Before You reach Fußach you have to take the first turnoff to the right after you have crossed the New Rhine (be careful: do not leave the road after You have crossed the Bregenzer Aach. Make sure that You have crossed two rivers before you turn off). Now you drive for 1.6 km parallel to the dam in the direction to the lake until you reach a gate. Here you have to park on the parking site (see the P on the map). The parking lot is found at the very end of road. Beyond this gate no driving is allowed. Since it is quite a walk to the the very tip of the Rhine dyke a bicycle can be useful.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , River , Lake , Mud flats , Reedbeds , PondConditions
Flat , Wet , Open landscape , High water possibleCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring , Spring migration , Autumn migration , WinterRoute
Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Best time to visit is January-May and September-January. During the summer months, many places along the lake are crowded with tourists.