This was a
largely non-birding trip along the Rhine Valley, Germany in mid August
2015. We took
a boat trip from Mainz to Boppard with an overnight stop at a castle in
Oberwesel along the way. This was just part of several days in
Germany where we enjoyed glorious hot and sunny weather - with the
notable exception of the boat trip.
Although this was essentially a non-birding holiday there were still
quite a
few birds to see. Along the river Black Kite were numerous and
obviously feeding young - their calls were often the first sign of
their presence and they were regularly seen fishing. Other notable
sightings (at least for a birder from UK/Norway) included Bee eaters, a
flock of Gargany, Black Terns, White Stork and a decent variety of
raptors.
We took the boat trip with KDRhine
- it may not be immediately obvious when purchasing the tickets but one
can stop off along the way, even for overnight stops. However, one
should inform the crew of your intentions.
I took a couple of cameras with me - my usual DSLR with a 400mm
telephoto lens and a compact superzoom.
Itinery in the Rhine Valley
16 August 2015: Boat from Meinz to Obervesel
17 August 2015: Boat from Oberwesel to Boppard
One
of many spectacular
castles along the Rhine Valley
e Mainz to Oberwesel:
Birds were seen the whole way along the stretch from Mainz to Barachach
with many Black Kite, a Peregrine, several Stork, plenty of Great
Egrets and plenty more besides. The best single place was probably
Rüdesheim where there were more duck
and Black terns as well as the more widespread Egyptian Goose.
The castle in which we stayed at Oberwesel produced Black Redstart, a
Goshawk, a few Kestrel and Green Sandpiper heard migrating down the
river valley after dark.
Above and below: Black Kite fishing, 16 August 2015, Rhine Valley,
Germany
Lorelay
Observesel
- Boppard: This
part of the journey was just as productive for raptors with Honey
Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk seen in addition to
the usual Black Kites.
A steady movement of gulls headed along the valley - mostly
Black-headed but also a few presumed Yellow-legged gulls.
Part
of
a flock of Black Terns, Rhine Valley, August 2015
Flock
of
Gargany (with some Shoveler), August 2015
Yellow-legged
Gull, Rhine Valley, August 2015
Black
Redstart, Rhine Valley, August 2015
This
is the castle at which we stayed - as seen from the river (picture
taken with telephoto lens)
Publications,
information and books
The photographs on this page were taken with various cameras, all the
wildlife pictures were taken with a DSLR and a 400mm telephoto lens,
the remainder were taken with a compact superzoom.
