Description
Similar to the Inn floodplains at Bever, the floodplains between Samedan and Celerina lie in a wide mountain valley at 1,700 m in the Upper Engadin.
The route first leads through fields and a horse paddock dotted with trees (1). From the viewpoint, there’s a good view of the golf course—larger than the wetlands themselves—and it may be worth scanning briefly with a scope. Next come shallow ponds (2) where the Рибалочка блакитний often hunts, and where resting ducks and waders are likely to be found. The surrounding bushes offer stopover sites for songbirds. On the way back, ducks, Плиска гірська, and Пронурок біловолий can be observed along the Inn (3). Towards Samedan (4), the river’s varying flow speeds and oxbow channels form a mosaic of habitats with shallow and deep waters, sandbanks, and deadwood. The redesigned riverbanks serve as orientation landmarks for migrating songbirds.
The mix of trees, shrubs, and extensively grazed meadows provides breeding grounds for Чечітка мала, Горихвістка звичайна, Сорокопуд терновий, Кропив’янка прудка, and Трав’янка лучна. The aquatic habitats are among the few in Switzerland where the Чернь чубата breeds. Пронурок біловолий, Пастушок, and Пірникоза мала have also nested here.
Of the roughly 180 species recorded, most appear during migration. In spring, when bad weather hits the Alps, the trees and bushes fill with resting songbirds. Autumn also offers some opportunities. Соловейко західний, Вівсянка садова, and Синьошийка are seen occasionally, while the sighting of a Мухоловка мала remains exceptional. Жовта плиска and Щеврик лучний are noted regularly, and even a Щеврик червоногрудий once appeared. Among the foraging Ворона чорна, a Ворона сіра or hybrid may be spotted.
Regular waders include Баранець звичайний, Чайка чубата, and Коловодник лісовий, with Коловодник болотяний and Брижач more rarely. The record of a Баранець великий shot in 1973 remains unique.
Other rarities include a Мартин морський shot in 1920, a Кам’янка іспанська seen (and surviving the observation) in 1985, and more recent sightings of Пуночка снігова, Крячок білощокий, and Даурська ластівка.
Details
Access
The area is best reached from Celerina train station, but can also be accessed from Samedan train station. It is also located on a popular bike trail.
A tip for train travellers from Celerina: the station has only one platform, and the train to St. Moritz usually arrives first. It then waits for the train to Chur to arrive. Only after the train to St. Moritz has departed can you cross the tracks to board the train to Chur.


