Gut Seligenstadt
The estate (in german "Gut") of Seligenstadt is located near the city of Würzburg. Being surrounded by almost treeless hills and huge fields it is one of the most important breeding areas for Montagu's Harriers in Bavaria. However you should focus on passage, since then several rare species can be seen resting on the fields near the estate. The site has become especially well known, since it is from the end of August to mid-September the most reliable place in Bavaria for Dotterels.
Target Species:
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Breeders: Grey Partridge, Montagu's Harrier, Skylark
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Passage: Dotterel, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Northern Wheatear, Red-throated Pipit, Tawny Pipit, Whinchat
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Access:
By Car: At first leave the motorway A 3 at the exit 72 "Rottendorf" and follow at first the federal street B 8 towards "Würzburg". Immediately afterwards turn right on the B 22 in the direction of "Dettelbach". Stay on this road until you reach the turn-off towards "Bibergau" and turn here left. After a while you'll come to the small village Euerfeld, turn here left towards "Seligenstadt / Prosselsheim" and stay on the street until you arrive at the estate after 2 kilometers.
By Public Transport: The nearby village "Seligenstadt" has a station, which can be approached from Würzburg. Follow the street from the station in the direction of "Euerfeld" until you reach the estate. The way there and back has a length of 5 kilometers.
Coming from "Euerfeld" turn right immediately after arriving at the estate. Stay on the lane until you reach a junction, where also a windbreak hedge should be on your right hand side (1). Along the latter and especially from its southern end there are good observation conditions.
Another nice overview you get from the top of a nearby hill (2). Turn for this left at the already mentioned junction.
You´ll need much patience to successfully observe Dotterels, since it is quite difficult to spot them on the fields, although they aren't shy. They prefer shortly grubbed fields, which are not showing towards North-East. Because this is not always the case, it is recommended to search also on the fields nearby. Of course this counts also for the other species as well. A spotting scope is indispensable.
GPS-coordinates:
(1) [49°50'33.18"N 10°7'13.45"E]
(2) [49°51'0.80"N 10°7'1.33"E]
P "Gut Seligenstadt" [49°50'30.08''N 10°6'18.90"E]
Sources:
Christoph Moning, Christian Wagner: Vögel beobachten in Süddeutschland, Stuttgart 2012.