Altmühlsee

The Altmühlsee is probably the best birdwatching site in Franconia. Especially the artificial island at the northern shore attracts during the breeding season and on passage lots of interesting birds including several rarities every year. Furthermore, the wetland area "Wiesmet" north of the lake is one of the most important breeding sites for Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew and Redshank in Bavaria. A visit is worth all around the year.

Target Species:

Access:

Island: The small circuit walk on the island is a must-have. Starting at the car park follow the path towards the shore (1) and turn here right until you reach a wooden bridge on your left-hand side. The latter leads you directly to the mentioned circuit walk. Main attraction there is a large observation tower (2), from where you can observe interesting waterfowl and resting waders.

Wiesmet: The meadows of the “Wiesmet” can be seen well from the street between “Muhr am See” and “Streudorf”. Return therefore to the main square and turn there left.

Additionally there is a nice viewpoint (3) near the village “Mörsach”.  Right before “Streudorf” you come to a T-junction where you must turn right. Having reached "Mörsach" pay attention to the small church in its centre, where you turn once again right in the direction of “See/Flussbad”. You may park at a kiosk. Cross afterwards the ditch of the river “Altmühl” and follow the path to the left until you arrive at a small elevation (3), from where you have a good overview over the meadows. Note that all paths into the meadows may not be used from the 1st of March to the 30th of June, only the described path is allowed to use all around the year.

Seezentrum Wald am See: For observing waterfowl in the winter the shore of "Wald am See" is a suitable spot being best approached in afternoon. Return from "Mörsach" to "Streudorf" and stay there always on the main road, which leads you shortly afterwards to the village "Wald am See". Immediately after having left "Wald am See" turn left and once again after you've passed the district "Schweina". It shouldn´t take long until you arrive at a parking ground. From the path on the dam (4) you have a good overview of the lake.   

Seezentrum Schlungenhof: Another good place not to be missed during migration season is reached from the B 13 between Muhr and Gunzenhausen. Pay there attention to the sign “Muhr a. See / Fähre / Seezentrum” and follow the road westwards to the parking ground. When the water level is low, you will find here good conditions for waders and terns (5). Note that this place is best approached in the morning.

GPS-coordinates:

Sources:

Christoph Moning, Christian Wagner: Vögel beobachten in Süddeutschland, Stuttgart 2012.