Introduction
To the SE of Hamburg (Germany) lies an attractive landscape with a great variation in habitats: rich meadows with a.o. Black-tailed Godwit and woodland-birds like the Middle Spotted Woodpecker. The breeding of River Warbler and Barred Warbler is typical of this area.
Travel-information
Travelling from Hamburg to the SE via Lüneburg you will arrive in Dannenberg, one of the major villages in the Wendland. This little town is a good starting point for most of your tours, preferably by bike. A reasonable alternative is Gartow, more to the east. There are camp-sites near both places. My family and I preferred Dannenberg: both in 1989 and 1993 we stayed there the first week of may. More information is available in the annual report of the local Bird-watching Group (available in the local book-stores as "Jahresbericht").
A good map is "Topografische Karte 1:50.000, Naturpark Elbufer-Drawehn".
Elbe-valley
Within this valley there are two types of habitats: the pastures and the remnants of the old Elbe.
* An important pasture lies between Dömitz and Damnatz. Characteristic birds are here White Stork, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Red and Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Yellow Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Penduline Tit and Yellowhammer . Later in may-june Barred Warblers are counted as breeding birds ("Jahresbericht"). During migration-time lots of ducks and waders are to be added.
* Near Penkefitz (N of Dannenberg) there are "Die Taube Elbe" and the "Penkefitzersee",remnants of the old Elbe. Die Taube Elbe is a pasture, including a long lake . In the beginning of may there were breeding Snipes and Blacktailed Godwits; the presence of Ruff en Black Terns indicates possible breeding The habitat also seems suitable for Spotted Crake. The Penkefitzersee consists mainly of reed with a.o. Bittern, Savi's Warbler and harriers (mostly Marsh)
* The area near Pevestorf en Laasche-Gartow looked promising: pastures, little lakes, ditches ..... At least White Stork, Marsh Harrier, Rail, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat and Grashopper Warbler are breeding birds; near the Höhbeck even some Tawny Pipits. In this area River Warbler and Rose Finch are possibly breeding , but not in the beginning of may.
Agricultural land
When compared to the Dutch situation this habitat is more varied : more types of crops, more ditches, more "forgotten" parts, like small marshes and pieces of woodland. This explains the great number of Yellowhammer and Yellow Wagtail; even Ortolan Bunting and Redbacked Shrike are quite common. It is possible to watch a pair of Marsh Harriers drop down in a small marsh. The number of Cornbunting however dropped considerably (Jahresbercht)
Die Lucie
This is a large wooded area to the south of Dannenberg which gradually flows over in the agriculture land. The population of woodland-birds is good, but not spectacular. There are a few extras like the Wryneck; open areas seem suitable for Nightjar (not in the first week of may !) and maybe even for Tawny Pipits. In the nearby agricultural land the Redbacked Shrike is common and later in spring probably also the Barred Warbler.
Elbholz
Using a tape-recorder you can lure the Middle Spotted Woodpecker. In the Elbholz this birds reacted within 2 minutes on hearing "its" call. There is an attractive cycling/walking tour from Gartow to the NNE alongside the Elbholz towards the river Elbe. Along the alley (sort of) you can watch also Cranes, feeding in the meadows. This is probably the nearest place for the Dutch birdwatchers to observe these majestic birds in the breeding season. It has become a major tourist attraction, also for Germans. The reserve itself is well-protected and not to be disturbed. Besides various woodland-birds there also some Ravens.
Harm A. Meek
de Plevier 7
7591 JJ Denekamp
The Netherlands
meek@xs4all.nl