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===Winter=== | ===Winter=== | ||
| − | Wintering waterfowl including [[Great Bittern]], [[Ruddy Shelduck]] (feral population), [[Gadwall]], [[Northern Pintail]], [[Northern Shoveler]], [[ | + | Wintering waterfowl including [[Great Bittern]], [[Ruddy Shelduck]] (feral population), [[Gadwall]], [[Northern Pintail]], [[Northern Shoveler]], [[Common Teal]], [[Red-crested Pochard]], [[Tufted Duck]], [[Common Pochard]], [[ Common Goldeneye]] and [[Common Merganser]]. Sometimes rare species like [[Ferruginous Pochard]] or [[Long-tailed Duck]]. |
===Spring=== | ===Spring=== | ||
Revision as of 12:27, 7 May 2007
Introduction
The "Klingnauer Stausee" is an artifical lake in the north of Switzerland. It's an important migration spot and a wintering site for waterfowl.
Access
The lake can be reached by train in 40 minutes from Zürich. Take a fast train to Baden and change there to a local train in direction to Zurzach. Leave the train in Döttingen. (Timetable: http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm) Walk down to the river, cross it and follow the shore to the right. Soon you're in the reserve. There is a new watchtower, but the best place is further down. Just before the river Aare joins the Rhine there are on both sides nice old riverine forests. You can cross the river over the weir or over the old train bridge. The next train station is Koblenz.
On this side you always have the sun in your back, except for early mornings. On weekends, the now paved levy road is a favorite of bikers and skaters which can become rather bothersome at times.
Accomodation
There is usually no need to stay at the Lake and it can be reached in short time from Zürich and other cities. If you like to stay you will find plentifull of accomodation in nearby Zurzach, famous for its hot springs.
Time
The lake is interesting all year round, but it can be quite unpredictable.
Winter
Wintering waterfowl including Great Bittern, Ruddy Shelduck (feral population), Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser. Sometimes rare species like Ferruginous Pochard or Long-tailed Duck.
Spring
Waders migrating. Regulary Ringed Plover and Little Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Ruff, Curlew, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Snipe. But everything can be possible. In 1973 a Slender-billed Curlew was seen here (only record in Switzerland). The woods are very good for woodpeckers. You can find Black Woodpecker , Grey-headed Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker! In May Golden Oriole]] starts to sing in the trees.
Summer
Breeding Waterfowl. Not the best season. But migration starts already in August.
Autumn
Osprey, Honey Buzzard, Black Stork on migration over the lake. Waders passing on their way south (same species as in spring, everything possible). Good views of Spotted Crake and Little Crake. Terns (mostly Common Tern, Caspian Tern and Black Tern) and Gulls are worth for checking carefully. Peregrine hunts regulary over the lake. If you're out on the weekend you will surely find some local birders who can inform you about rare species.
Latest sightings
Informations about the latest observations at Klingnauer Stausee can be found on:
http://www.ornitho.ch/index.php?m_id=1&langu=en
Content and images originally posted by wintibird, with comments added of Swissboy
