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Canada geese, redshanks, little ringed plovers and reed warbler – these names are like music to the ears of bird watching enthusiasts. Nature lovers and any visitors interested in the Elbe marshes and the local fauna are sure to enjoy the Carl Zeiss Birdwatching Station. Here, expert guides introduce visitors to all the birds that sing and chirp in the Elbe marshes.

Northern Germany’s one and only Carl Zeiss Birdwatching Station lies directly outside Wedel. See the birds of the Wedel and Haseldorf marshes up close. The station is located in the middle of the former Fährmannssand clay pit. The Hamburg Association for Nature Conservation (NABU) took over the site in 1984, and turned it into a true bird paradise.

The diverse landscape around the station is home to many different types of birds. Shallows provide abundant sources of food for wading birds like snipes and oystercatchers, while goosanders and smews hunt in deeper waters, alongside herons and black-backed and golden-headed ducks. The green areas and islands mostly serve as breeding and rest areas.  Different observation points guarantee the best view of rare birds like avocets and redshanks, without disturbing them. NABU also designed special observation slits with adjustable heights, so that both young and old can enjoy the view of the water and meadows. Informational displays, binocular rentals, and above all, NABstudents should use studentsU’s expert guides round out the offer.

The bird station organizes many tours for an even closer look. Expert guides lead visitors around the Carl Zeiss Birdwatching Station and through the Wedel marsh. Each tour focuses on a very special theme.

The station is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and on holidays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Contact the Carl Zeiss Birdwatching Station Directly for more details about tours and registration.