The bird life of the Arberseewand

The Arberseewand is one of the most important ornithological habitats on the German side of the Bavarian Forest. Of the 45 bird species recorded, the capercaillie, white-backed woodpecker, three-toed woodpecker, and pygmy owl are of special significance. For some years now, the peregrine falcon has also been breeding again in the cirque.

Of the bird species recorded, most are migratory birds and do not spend the winter on the Arbersee. Because migratory birds arrive on the Arbersee at very different times in the spring, birdsong becomes increasingly varied from February to July. Listen to the bird song. Can you tell when the birds pictured below first join in?

The Arberseewand is home to some rare species. Do you know what they are?

Capercaillie

The capercaillie, which has become extremely rare, needs large, quiet and unspoilt coniferous and mixed forests with interspersed clearings.

White-backed woodpecker

The white-backed woodpecker is the rarest woodpecker species in the Bavarian Forest and mainly inhabits old deciduous and mixed forest which contains a high proportion of old and dead wood.

Pygmy owl

The Pygmy Owl is the smallest European species of owl. Because it always breeds in tree hollows, the owl depends on richly structured, deadwood-rich forests with a high proportion of coniferous trees.

Three-toed woodpecker

The three-toed woodpecker is a species typical to high altitude forests and needs native, primeval mountain forests which contain many dead or rotten trees.

Fastest animal in the world!

The Arberseewand is home to not only many songbirds, it is a habitat for the peregrine falcon, which is able to reach top speeds of over 300 kilometres per hour during its dive (“stoop”). Take a moment to close your eyes. Can you hear the birds chirping, the babbling brook and rustling of the leaves? What sounds can you hear?