A personal guide to birding in the Drömling

The Drömling is part of the Ohre-Aller glacial valley that forms a 30km wide low lying wet basin. It is located approximately 15km east of Wolfsburg and lies chiefly in Sachsen-Anhalt.  The landscape is dominated by semi-cultivated moorland covered to a large extent with extensive areas of bushes, mature trees, coppices and ditches.  The northern part of the Drömling is drier and consists of sandy soils used mainly for agriculture.  Due to its size and because of the extraordinary array of birds that can be seen here, the Drömling requires two days to do it justice.  The best time of year to visit is in May and June, though all times of the year can be productive.  The Drömling is probably the best location in this region to watch birds. Highlights include Ortolan Bunting, Montagu’s Harrier, Hoopoe, Great Grey Shrike, Barred Warbler, Rosefinch, River Warbler, Blue Throat and many more besides. The bio-diversity here is, especially in Spring, astonishing - there are not many places in Europe where you can see up to 20 Cuckoos in one sitting!

The Drömling - note Buchhorst centre bottom third, and Jahrstedt right two thirds up.

River-side walk north of Buchhorst

The Drömling - river Ohre and spring landscape near Buchhorst

Buchhorst and Jahrstedt are the best places from which to explore the northern part of the Drömling. Buchhorst lies in the so-called ‘Kern Zone’ and sits astride the river Ohre which flows in a south easterly direction through the Drömling.  A car can be parked in a layby immediately south of the bridge over the river opposite Kolonie Wassendorf and a highly productive walk can be made along a good path to the right hand side of the river past the old railway line as far as a weir and a bridge and then right as far as you can go until you reach a ditch.  Grasshopper Warblers are usually evident in the meadows to your right and Golden Oriels are often heard and seen high in the trees.  I have seen River Warbler here as well as Great Grey Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, ubiquitous Red-backed Shrikes and Cranes too.  Here you are right in the heart of the Drömling and just about anything can turn up.  

Barred Warbler locations

Sperbergrassmücke territory south of Kusey.  The bushes running through the centre of the photograph, are growing in a water filled ditch.

The best location to see Barred Warblers is in a damp and bushy habitat to the north of Buchhorst and to the right of the main road leading to Rowitz.  The best approach is through Buchhorst, but then to take the small metalled road to the left immediately before Weddendorfer Buchhorst.  A car can be parked besides the Kalte Moorgraben and entry effected along a path adjacent to a wood containing breeding White-tailed Eagles.  The Barred Warbler habitat, which consists of parallel low bushes, opens up to your right just past the wood.  Barred Warblers are often hard to locate the best chance you will have of finding some is in late May early June and by walking attentively through this habitat  listening for their song which is often delivered from the top of a dead tree.  They are there!

The Schwarze Brucke and Jahrstedt

Rosefinch - Schwarze Brucke

Great Grey Shrike - Schwarze Brucke

An alternative approach is via Jahrstedt and Kaiswewinkel the latter of which leads to the Schwarze Brucke indicated by the red dot on the map.  A car can be driven from Kaiserwinkel along tracks indicated with the black line on the map and thereafter the bridge can easily be reached by foot. This area is a gateway into the northern part of the 'Kern Zone' and is as productive as the Buchhorst area. Ortolan Buntings are present along the tracks - listen out for their song, and Barred Warblers and Icterine Warblers are also present, though tricky to see.  The area beyond the bridge allows a good rectangular hour long walk to a viewing platform which affords a good view of the area.  Rosefinches and Great Grey Shrikes are real possibilities here as well as Great Reed Warblers, Stonechats, Whinchats and a lot more besides.  The village of Jahrstedt is different in character to the Kern Zone being drier and more agricultural is definitely worth visiting especially for Montagu's Harrier in the fields and, if you're very lucky, Hoopoe and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in old abandoned orchards.  Woodlarks, Tree Pipits and Turtle Doves can also be seen in this area.

Hoopoe - near Jahrstedt

Montagu's Harrier - near Jahrstedt

Kusey

Ortolan Bunting - Kusey area

Kusey, like Jahrstedt, is an agricultural area though of low intensity.  The mosaic of tree-lined tracks, small coppices and sandy soils make this one of the best locations to see Ortolan Buntings in Germany.  The best time to see them is obviously in May and June and anywhere within the triangle formed by Kusey-Rowitz-Wenze is likely to produce some birds.  The wet area below the central wood shown on the map, is also worth visiting and has produced Barred Warbler, Wrynecks and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.  I have also seen Beaver in the ditches - listen out for their load tail-slapping alarm.

A good circular walk near Ruhen

I found this place, which is 5 minutes south east of Ruhen, whilst researching locations for Barred Warblers.  Though I have never seen any here, I am often attracted to this area of the Drömling because it is easily accessible and manageable.  A car can be parked just above the 244 sign on the map and a walk conducted according to the directions shown.  I have seen a lot here, including Corncrake (heard), Bluethroat, Snipe, Black Stork, Great Grey Shrike, Black Woodpecker, Hen Harrier, Hobby and White-tailed Eagle.

Bluethroat - Drömling

Drömling - north east sector.  A typically bleak winter scene

So in summary, the Drömling is an absolutely fantastic place to visit.  Spring is best, though any time of the year will yield dividends. Two recommendations for places to eat if you need refreshment; The Orient Grill in Rühen (Hauptstrasse 23) and the Pension und Gasthaus Fahrenkamp in Röwitz which is a traditional German pub/restaurant.  If you fancy visiting the Drömling and need some advice, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me and I'll gladly help. My email address is: rose.andrew.john@gmail.com