Birdwatching in Berlin: Dive into the World of Feathered Friends
Berlin residents are invited to take part in a bird-counting initiative, switching their focus from Icebirds to Sparrows. - Berliners demanded participation in a bird census
Ever wondered which birds grace the skies and green spaces of Berlin? The Nature Conservation Union Germany (NABU) and the Bavarian Nature Conservation Association LBV are eager to find out! From May 9 to 11, they invite everyone to join the "Hour of Garden Birds" event, where you'll count the birds you spot.
Those interested in taking part in the Berlin city center can look forward to sightings of the chatty and colorful chaffinch, known for its red face and striking yellow wing stripes. Chaffinches, also referred to as bramblings, rub shoulders with other common species like sparrows and pigeons. Keep your eyes peeled for the redstart as well, with its vibrant red tail fluttering during its melodious song, mostly found in the outskirts.
Last year, more than 36,000 birds were counted in Berlin, so it's clear that birdwatching here can be a fruitful hobby! To participate, simply watch birds from a quiet spot in your garden, park, or window and write down the highest number of each species you see within an hour. Share your results online or via a mobile app, or mail them in. Your contributions will provide valuable insights into current bird world trends that could complement official population data.
Berlin's NABU groups are also extending a warm invitation to bird enthusiasts to join guided tours during the "Hour of Garden Birds" counting weekend. On May 11th at 9:00 AM, join the Lichtenberg district group at the Wartenberger field, or let your little ones participate with you on May 10th at 2:00 PM in the Rummelsburger Bucht.
- Berlin
- Nature Conservation Union Germany
- birds
- bird species
- city area
- pigeons
- weekend
- LBV
A Peek into Berlin's Avian Life
Berlin's parks and green spaces teem with both common and exotic bird species. While a comprehensive census of exact bird numbers in the city isn't widely available, birdwatching databases such as eBird offer current checklists, pointing out frequently sighted and notable species. Some frequently observed birds in Berlin include:
- Canada Goose
- Mandarin Duck
- Mallard
- Common Wood-Pigeon
- House Sparrow
- Eurasian Blackbird
- Common Chaffinch
- Brambling
- Goldcrest and Common Firecrest
- Woodpeckers
- Swallows
- Plovers
- Gulls
- Terns
- Crossbills
- Willow Warbler/Common Chiffchaff
- Accipitrine hawks
A few exotic and escapee species, like the Mandarin Duck, are also occasionally spotted.
"Hour of Garden Birds": Highlight Species
During the "Hour of Garden Birds," birds seen or heard in your garden, park, or balcony count towards the overall total. Key species commonly reported and of particular interest include:
- House Sparrow: A familiar city bird that inhabits gardens and feeders.
- Common Blackbird: A species regular to parks and gardens, known for its vocal song.
- Common Chaffinch/Brambling: Often sighted at feeders, especially in wooded areas.
- Great Tit/Blue Tit: Common, visible, and vocal in urban green spaces.
- Eurasian Collared Dove: Notable in urban parks and gardens.
- Starling: Recognized for their noisy flocks and murmurations.
- Woodpeckers: Recognized by their distinctive drumming.
Your contributions could help shed light on the current state of Berlin's birds, aiding in the understanding of local bird population trends.
Summary Table of Notable Species
| Species | Commonness in Berlin | Notes ||---------------------------|---------------------|------------------------------------------|| House Sparrow | Very common | Urban gardens, feeders || Common Blackbird | Very common | Parks, gardens, vocal song || Common Chaffinch/Brambling| Common | Feeders, woodlands, variable by season || Great Tit/Blue Tit | Common | Feeders, gardens, parks || Eurasian Collared Dove | Common | Urban parks, gardens || Starling | Common | Flocks, open grassy areas || Woodpecker sp. | Common | Wooded parks, recognizable by drumming || Mallard/Mandarin Duck | Common | City ponds, lakes |
- The Nature Conservation Union Germany (NABU) and the Bavarian Nature Conservation Association LBV are inviting the public to join the "Hour of Garden Birds" event in Berlin from May 9 to 11, with the aim to count various bird species within an hour.
- During the event, birdwatchers can look forward to sightings of common bird species such as sparrows, pigeons, and the colorful chaffinch – also known as bramblings – in the city area.
- The contribution of birdwatchers' results will provide valuable insights into current bird world trends in Berlin, which could supplement the official population data.
- Guided tours are also offered during the "Hour of Garden Birds" counting weekend, including a group tour with NABU's Lichtenberg district at the Wartenberger field on May 11 at 9:00 AM, and a family-friendly session for children at Rummelsburger Bucht on May 10 at 2:00 PM.
