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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 Малый зуёк 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 Малый зуёк is the region's flagship species, over 200 bird species have been recorded here. The steep banks provide nesting sites for Обыкновенный зимородок and Оляпка. In the floodplain forests, breeding birds like Малый пёстрый дятел, Обыкновенная кукушка, and possibly Чеглок, which can be observed from April to September, find their habitats. Иволга and Южный соловей are relatively common, possibly you might see a Кваква or Малая белая цапля. Жёлтая цапля has also been observed.
Waders and waterbirds use the delta as a stopover during spring and autumn migrations. The Большой улит is among the most frequent visitors. Other common sightings during migration seasons include Фифи, Черныш, Галстучник, and Кулик-воробей. Less common species like Камнешарка and Белохвостый песочник make appearances. During these times, the reeds are utilized by Обыкновенный ремез and Болотный лунь.
In spring, the delta additionally hosts Травник and Турухтан, as well as Средний кроншнеп and Черноголовая чайка. Inland, Обыкновенная горихвостка finds refuge in the floodplain forest. Later in spring and into summer, the Пеночка-трещотка appears here, and over the lake, migrating Чёрная крачка can be spotted. Exceptional sightings include its relatives, the Белокрылая крачка, Белощекая крачка, Малая крачка, Чайконосая крачка, and Пестроносая крачка.
In late summer, the rare Песчанка is occasionally reported, while from September through May, Пеганка can be seen resting on the lake. Autumn brings irregular sightings of Тулес, followed later by the more frequent Чернозобик. From winter to spring, Широконоска and Свиязь rest on the lake, but rarer birds are also possible, as one sighting of Морянка proves.
The Kanderdelta is also a hotspot for rare waders. Eight confirmed sightings of Кулик-сорока have been recorded in April and June. Other notable species include Исландский песочник, Шилоклювка, Морской зуёк, and Авдотка. Additional rarities such as Полевой конёк, Черноклювая гагара, Зелёная пересмешка, Золотистая ржанка, Малый жаворонок, Круглоносый плавунчик, Красношейная поганка, Рыжепоясничная ласточка, Короткохвостый поморник, Большой поморник, Вилохвостая чайка, and Гаршнеп 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 Малый зуёк 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.