Description
Kiesgrube Rehbach offers great observation possibilities because the lake contained in the gravel pit is sunken in and thus, the edges of the gravel pit are elevated.
There are two islands within this lake that contain a large colony of čajka smejivá, often intermingled with a handful of čajka čiernohlavá during the breeding season. The lake is also home to a range of birds within the Laridae family such as čajka sivá, rybár riečny and čorík čierny as well as waterfowl like hus divá, húska štíhla, hrdzavka potápavá and lyska čierna. During the winter, the lake as well as the surrounding fields host large numbers of wintering geese like hus bieločelá and hus tundrová, and occasionally even rarer geese species such as bernikľa bielolíca and bernikľa červenokrká.
The walls of the gravel pit are home to a colony of brehuľa hnedá.
Details
Access
Kiesgrube Rehbach is located just a few hundred meters south of the village of Rehbach (west of the Leipzig district of Knauthein). It is possible to get there by car and park at the entrance of the village. Press P on the map for directions to a parking. Note, however, that this particular parking spot only offers space for two or three cars. For this reason, and in general, it is recommended to come by bike (e.g. from Zwenkauer or Cospudener See, which also offer great birding opportunities). It is also possible to come here by bus (line 63 to "Rehbach (Leipzig)", but it just connects sporadically).
The main observation spot is at the Northern edge of the gravel pit. OPTIONALLY, it is also possible to walk down into the pit and take a short tour there and into an adjacent bushy and foresty area. If you decide to walk down there, it is recommended to wear sturdy shoes and to be good on your feet due to the steep and rocky descent (marked with a "1" on the map). Similarly, on the Eastern side, there is another steep descent, although more muddy than rocky (marked with a "2" on the map).
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Plateau , LakeConditions
Flat , Hilly , No shadowCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Spring , Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Beware: this is an active gravel pit with the risk of breaking-off edges. The drop would be several meters (approximately 15-20 meters), so please be careful. This would of course not only be harmful to observers, but also to the colony of brehuľa hnedá that nest at the Northern wall of the pit and potentially below the break-off.
And as mentioned above: If you decide to walk down into the pit, it is recommended to wear sturdy shoes and to be good on your feet due to the steep and rocky descent.

