Förmitzspeicher
The reservoir is one of few water bodies in the surrounding area and has therefore a huge attraction on migrants. While the summer is rather quiet, passage season
brings normally lots of passerines, good raptor migration, resting waders and gulls. When it doesn't freeze over in the winter, it is furthermore an excellent spot in the area for observing
waterfowl.
Target Species:
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Breeders: Kingfisher, White-throated Dipper
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Passage: Black Kite, Black Tern, Caspian Gull, Common Ringed Plover, Common Tern, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Mediterranean Gull, Pintail, Red-breasted Merganser, Sanderling, Snipe, Temminck's Stint, Turnstone, Wigeon
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Winter:
Arctic Diver, Caspian Gull, Goldeneye, Hen Harrier, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver, Whooper Swan
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Occasionally: Lesser Redpoll, Red Crossbill, Spotted Nutcracker
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Access:
By Car: Leave the motorway A 9 either at the exit 35 „Münchberg Nord“ or at the exit 36 „Münchberg Süd“ and follow the road towards the small town. When coming from the south you can drive around the town via a bypass road. Anyway pay attention to road signs of the federal street B 289. Follow the latter in the direction of „Weißdorf“, where you will arrive shortly after that. In the centre of the village turn right towards "Benk". Arriving at the latter turn left in the direction of „Albertsreuth“ and stay on this road until you reach the lake and the car park on its southern shore.
The second car park can be reached from „Schwarzenbach“ via „Baumersreuth“ and „Völkenreuth“. Generally the reservoir is signposted from a certain point and the navigation isn't too difficult.
By Public Transport: The next station is situated in Förbau, which is approximately 1,5 km away from the lake. For the northwest corner of the Förmitzspeicher leave the village in southern direction.
Alternatively you can start from the train station of Schwarzenbach, which is more often approached than Förbau. Leave the town as well to the south and turn shortly after the town exit right towards "Baumersreuth" and follow afterwards the signposts to the lake. Due to the larger distance it is advisable to go by bike. Nevertheless you should consider that the area is rather hilly.
Main reservoir: Generally, it's possible to walk around the lake (4,5 km). This is however only recommendable, if the water level is very low and
around the whole reservoir mudflats are exposed. Yet thanks to a large sandbank in the southwestern corner of the lake, that was backfilled some years ago, waders find good resting conditions
even when the latter isn't the case. It can be viewed well from a bench (1), which is situated a few hundred meters southeast of the car park "Götzmannsgrün".
Furthermore, you have a great overlook from the dam on the western shore of the reservoir (2). Note that the light at this point is best in the afternoon.
Outlet of the reservoir: The outlet of the reservoir is a rather reliable place for seeing White-throated Dippers and Kingfishers during breeding
season. A walkway (3) leads down to it from the car park "Förbau", which is situated north of the dam. Pay furtheron attention to birds like Red-backed Shrike and Marsh Warbler
in the surrounding area.
Farmland near Benk: Finally, during passage season a detour to the farmland that is situated between the villages Benk, Albertsreuth, Weißdorf and
Bärlas is a must. The area might look unspectacular on the first glance, yet frequently good species like Golden Plover or Rough-legged Buzzard are observed here. The list of the rarities spotted
there is amazing including highlights like Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Long-legged Buzzard. The best access you have from the small connection road between Albertsreuth and Weißdorf, which is
however closed for cars.
GPS-coordinates:
(1) [50°11'32.34"N 11°54'18.1"E]
(2) [50°11'48.51"N 11°54'12.72"E]
(3) [50°12'3.1"N 11°54'25.31"E]
P "Götzmannsgrün" [50°11'42.8"N 11°54'6.8"E]
P "Völkenreuth" [50°11'19.41"N 11°54'44.64"E]
P "Förbau" [50°12'7.58"N 11°54'39.89"E]