Once the last excursion boats of the season have called at the jetty in Riederau, Lake Ammersee falls quiet. Quiet, but never empty. This is the moment, in November, when a different set of guests arrives: ducks, grebes and swans, many of them from northern and eastern Europe. Every year, somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 waterbirds spend the winter on the lake. For us it is one of the loveliest things about the quiet season. Here is where and how to enjoy these winter visitors.
A wetland of international importance
Lake Ammersee has been listed under the Ramsar Convention, the global agreement for the protection of wetlands, since 1976. Together with its shores, it counts as an internationally important site for migrating and wintering birds. The birds find exactly what they need here in winter: food in the shallows and peace on a wide stretch of open water.
On Bavaria’s lakes, waterbird numbers rise noticeably in November as the winter visitors arrive, and they usually stay at their peak until January. So if you come now, your timing is perfect.
Who you can see on the lake now
Among the winter visitors on Lake Ammersee are tufted ducks, black and white with a small tuft at the back of the head, pochards with their chestnut heads, and goldeneyes, the males with a round white patch on the cheek. The red-crested pochard is hard to miss: the males have a bright rusty-orange head and a red bill. Then there are great crested grebes, which stay under water for a long time and pop up again far away. With a little luck you may also spot whooper swans, which only visit in winter.
Many birds keep their distance from the shore, so binoculars are well worth bringing. Calm, clear mornings with barely a breath of wind across the water are best.
To the south shore: the bird sanctuary
The best place for birdwatching is just a short drive south of Riederau. At the southern end of the lake, where the River Ammer flows in, lies the nature reserve “Vogelfreistätte Ammersee-Südufer”, the south shore bird sanctuary, with its reed beds, riverside woodland and shallow bays. From Dießen you can walk to an observation platform just a few hundred metres from the station. The Ammerdamm and Aidenried on the south-east shore are good spots too.
Please stay on the paths and keep your distance. Every disturbance costs the birds energy they badly need in winter. And if you are heading to Dießen anyway, the walk combines nicely with a visit to the Marienmünster or a stroll through Schacky Park.
With telescopes and experts: guided walks in November and December
If you would like to learn more about the birds, it is best to go out with the experts. The region’s “Natur erleben” programme lists these dates for the coming weeks:
- Saturday 14 November, 2 to 4 pm: guided walk through Schacky Park in Dießen, on the park’s history and its old trees (in German). No booking needed, free of charge, donations welcome.
- Sunday 15 November, 10 am to 1 pm: waterbird watching at the Roseninsel on neighbouring Lake Starnberg, in Feldafing (in German). Meet at the ferry landing opposite the island. Spotting scopes provided, no booking needed, free of charge and wheelchair accessible.
- Saturday 12 December, 3.30 to 5 pm: hen harriers in the Ampermoos at the northern end of Lake Ammersee (in German). In winter these rare birds of prey fly in to their roosts at dusk. Book through the VHS Herrsching/Ammersee-West, who will also give you the meeting point.
The birdwatching walks may be cancelled in fog, persistent rain or snowfall, so it is worth checking shortly beforehand.
Back to the Stube in the evening
When darkness falls early, you are back on the estate in no time. The masonry stove warms the farmhouse Stube, and fires burn in the lounge and in the living room on the first floor. With a side table, the extendable Stube table seats all of up to 15 guests together, the perfect place to settle who spotted the first red-crested pochard of the day.
Whether you come with family, friends or a small team, you always have the estate to yourselves, in the Main House just as in the Entire Estate. You will see the price for your dates straight away in the calendar. We look forward to welcoming you.
