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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 Пісочник малий 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 Пісочник малий is the region's flagship species, over 200 bird species have been recorded here. The steep banks provide nesting sites for Рибалочка блакитний and Пронурок біловолий. In the floodplain forests, breeding birds like Дятел малий, Зозуля звичайна, and possibly Підсоколик великий, which can be observed from April to September, find their habitats. Вивільга звичайна and Соловейко західний are relatively common, possibly you might see a Квак звичайний or Мала біла чапля. Чапля жовта has also been observed.
Waders and waterbirds use the delta as a stopover during spring and autumn migrations. The Коловодник великий is among the most frequent visitors. Other common sightings during migration seasons include Коловодник болотяний, Коловодник лісовий, Пісочник великий, and Побережник малий. Less common species like Крем’яшник звичайний and Побережник білохвостий make appearances. During these times, the reeds are utilized by Ремез звичайний and Лунь очеретяний.
In spring, the delta additionally hosts Коловодник звичайний and Брижач, as well as Кульон середній and Мартин середземноморський. Inland, Горихвістка звичайна finds refuge in the floodplain forest. Later in spring and into summer, the Вівчарик жовтобровий appears here, and over the lake, migrating Крячок чорний can be spotted. Exceptional sightings include its relatives, the Крячок білокрилий, Крячок білощокий, Крячок малий, Крячок чорнодзьобий, and Крячок рябодзьобий.
In late summer, the rare Побережник білий is occasionally reported, while from September through May, Галагаз євразійський can be seen resting on the lake. Autumn brings irregular sightings of Сивка морська, followed later by the more frequent Побережник чорногрудий. From winter to spring, Широконіска північна and Свищ євразійський 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 Побережник ісландський, Чоботар синьоногий, Пісочник морський, and Лежень. Additional rarities such as Щеврик польовий, Гагара полярна, Берестянка звичайна, Сивка звичайна, Жайворонок малий, Плавунець круглодзьобий, Пірникоза червоношия, Даурська ластівка, Поморник короткохвостий, Поморник великий, Мартин вилохвостий, and Баранець малий 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 Пісочник малий 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.