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Berlin - A City Rich in Birdlife

The German capital of Berlin is situated in the northern Central European lowlands and covers an area of 892 km2. The city is dominated by the confluence of the River Spree with the River Havel, which form a chain of lakes or broad stream and river beds. Geographically Berlin is part of the surrounding federal state of Brandenburg, which is well known for its diversity of lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, forests and farmland. The incursion of species from the surrounding countryside influences the variety of Berlin’s birdlife and its specialities.

The Berlin landscape is richly structured with 59 km2 of rivers, streams and lakes and 159 km2 of woodland. The latter is dominated by young pine plantations grown since the 1950s, but also includes older areas of beech and oak stands. In addition there is some 91 km2 of green areas and 10 km2 of cemeteries within the built-up area, and a small area (47 km2) of farmland. The built-up area of the city is centrally dominated by housing blocks, new high-rise suburbs on the outskirts, and a broad residential area of detached houses with gardens. Berlin’s reputation as a green metropolis is characterised by a network of parks and open areas and its many tree-lined streets and avenues, even in the centre of the city.

The political division of the city since World War II ended in 1990. The previously abandoned border strip dividing and surrounding West Berlin was opened to development, as were other war-damaged areas which had been neglected for over 40 years. Species which had colonised these areas, such Partridge, Jackdaw or Wheatear in the wasteland between Potsdamer Platz and the Reichstag, disappeared as redevelopment took place. Other urban species are still well established such as the House Martin (which still have a small colony near the eastern entrance to the Reichstag), House Sparrow (with a stable population city-wide), Swift and Black Redstart.

The rich variety of bird species in the urban areas is however dependent on the green areas, typical species being Green Woodpecker, Short-toed Tree-creeper, Icterine Warbler and several species of forest origin such as Goshawk, Song Thrush, Wren, Nuthatch, and possibly even Wood Warbler.

The forests themselves, with their variety of tree mix, are home to four Woodpecker species including good numbers of Middle Spotted Woodpecker in oak stands. In beech forests the Red-breasted Flycatcher can be seen (a good place is Tegel Forest), although its numbers vary from year to year. The forests also provide good breeding sites for birds of prey, the most spectacular being the White-tailed Eagle which has bred since 2000 within the city boundary and hunts over the widespread stretches of lakes and streams. This is a clear “donation” from the increasing Brandenburg population.

Wetland species add greatly to the diversity of species in the city. Grey Herons breed freely in the Zoological Gardens and the Tierpark; there is a Cormorant colony on an island nature reserve on the River Havel near Kladow; Canada Goose have established an increasing wild population on the northern part of the Havel since an escape in 1985; Mandarin Duck, following releases in the 1920s are to be found from the Tiergarten in the city centre south-west as far as the neighbouring city of Potsdam; Red-necked Grebe breed on ponds in the north-east (e. g. Karower Teiche); Little Bittern has reappeared, after an absence of several years, at the Flughafensee (near Tegel airport); Black Tern, thanks to conservation measures, have established good colonies in two adjacent sites on the Müggelsee and Seddinsee lakes due to protective actions; Common Crane have attempted to breed in swamps in the northeast (also thanks to an increasing population in Brandenburg); and Great Reed Warbler inhabit nearly all well-established reed beds along the lakes and rivers.

There is little remaining farmland, but one success story is its recolonisation by Corn Bunting, along the eastern city boundary, since 1993.

A very special habitat was created by the attempted afforestation in the 1980s of former irrigation fields near the suburb of Buch on the north-eastern edge of the city. The young plantation did not develop well, and diverse areas of open character were the outcome. A remarkable concentration of Wryneck, Barred Warbler and Tree Pipit can be observed here.

During migration and in winter waterfowl rest in good numbers on the Müggelsee and Tegeler See lakes and on stretches of the Havel. Species include Loons, Grebes, diving ducks, and Mergansers. There are few rest areas for dabbling ducks (except the ubiquitous Mallard), though Teal frequent the outflows of water filtration plants just outside the city boundary, where Water Pipit can also be observed.