Birdwatching at Bislicher Insel in summer

Between 2019 and 2024, my wife and I visited the Bislicher Insel nature reserve about fifteen times for birdwatching. Each visit offered a different mix of species, depending on the season and weather conditions.

In the following sections, I would like to introduce some of the birds we observed throughout the year. Let’s continue with summer.

Summer

Let’s start with the highlight of our summer observations. A group of Eurasian spoonbills accompanied by a bird completely unusual for this area — an African sacred ibis. News of the unexpected visitor spread quickly, and soon Bislicher Insel was alive with excited observers hoping to catch a glimpse of the guest.

A great (white) egret sits quietly on a branch, while another, just a few meters away, lunges forward and secures a sizeable catch.

In the shallows, a grey heron and a great white egret stand side by side. They are motionless except for the occasional ripple, both waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Close by, a ruff darts through the shallow water, its quick movements contrasting with the stillness of the heron and egret.

A gadwall glides quietly across the water, leaving gentle ripples in its wake.

Perched on a dead tree, a great cormorant spreads its wings to dry, as several others fly overhead in graceful formation.

On the edge of the path, a house sparrow perches on a hedge, while farther out, a common buzzard sits on a pole. A common kestrel scans the landscape from a lamppost, each occupying its own lookout point.

Alongside the rich birdlife, other animals can also be seen on Bislicher Insel. A roe deer quietly grazing in the meadow and butterflies resting in the warm sunlight.