Roger White and Robin Prytherch

This was mainly a ‘recce’ visit to the east side of Brandenburg and across the river to the Warta estuary on Poland.

A number of sites visited are not included in this report, because they proved to be unrewarding, either because of poor access or because they showed little promise.

24 May
Evening flight to Schönefeld, Berlin. Stayed at Brandenburger Hof Hotel, Seelow, east of Berlin

25 May
The hide at Karlsdorf (NW of Seelow) is no longer accessible because the steps had been removed. However, the pond could be viewed by walking down through a small meadow area just after the bus stop. Little to see, however. At Altfriedlander Teiche. there were breeding Common Tern and Black-headed Gull. Goldeneye here and a patrolling White-tailed Eagle. An Icterine Warbler was singing well in the open.

There is a small hide here with just a few steps, and room for 6-7 people. Good view over open water, but not such a good view of the islands as from the tall hide. Then on to Güsterbiese on the river Oder. All flooded here. Ferry not able to run. White Storks and Cranes on a stretch of ‘dry’ land. At Zelliner Loose – again on the Oder – a path led to the dyke where there was a Black Tern colony and a few Garganey,

26 May
To Warta Mouth National Park. Flooded ++ At the group of houses on the right, known as New America just past a bus stop there was a display board, and nearby was a small track on the right through some damp woodland. Hoopoe calling, Savi’s Warbler singing, and a Crane in a field beyond. From the tall Czarnow tower hide. 20+ White winged Black Terns could be seen and a Barred Warbler was singing. A Hoopoe called from small sandy hill to the left. A White-tailed Eagle was sitting on a tower hide in the distance. From Slonsk there was a rough track to Klopotowa. Good amount of bird song with Sedge, Icterine, Marsh and Reed Warblers, Blackcap. A Rosefinch sang briefly but could not be located. Curlew were feeding in the cropped grassland. The river Warta was very full and the ferry not running. A Shelduck flew by. Continued east alongside the river, and heard Wryneck in the back garden of a house. Crossed the main road bridge, then south on 131 to Krzeszyce, and the main road. west to Lemierzyce and south toewards Ownice. A stop in some woodland was rewarding: Black Woodpecker, Golden Oriole and Wood Warbler.

Back to the German side of the Oder. .Parked at Zechin and walked to the dyke. 50+ Black Tern and 4 White winged Black Tern in pool. Also Garganey and a booming Bittern. A Golden Oriole flew by.

27 May
The old sand and gravel quarry at Neuenhagen was well worth a visit. Reached from Bralitz. Birds at this site included Whinchat on fence. Redstart singing in woodland edge. Also Woodlark, Linnet, Crested Lark, Tree pipit and Turtle Dove. 2 Hoopoes.

Next stop Finow airport, west of Eberswalde. Stonechats, and calling Quail. Called at Karow ponds on the way to the airport.. 2 Marsh Harrier, Red-necked Grebe on each pond. One with young. Great Nightingale views.

119 species recorded

Full site details are in “A Birdwatching Guide to Brandenburg and Berlin”. See information page.