Kingfishers in Esslingen: Observe beauties threatened with extinction!

Kingfishers in Esslingen: Observe beauties threatened with extinction!

What's happening in Esslingen? A very special bird species is currently causing a stir: the kingfisher. Sven Lang, an enthusiastic amateur photographer from the region, has recently been regularly observing these birds that radiate worlds of color. But the clock is ticking for the kingfishers. The Nature Conservation Association ( Nabu ) reports that they are threatened with extinction in Esslingen and are on the warning list of the Red List of Endangered Species in Baden-Württemberg.

Visitors to the Neckar, especially around the weir in Sirnau and in the direction of Wendlingen, report sightings. The Esslingen kingfisher population appears to consist of only two breeding pairs: one in the Alter Neckar nature reserve and the other in the lower reaches of the Körsch. These birds nest in tubes near bodies of water, and the natural lower reaches of the Körsch offer optimal conditions for this.

An endangered species and its way of life

A look at the kingfisher's diet reveals a lot about its lifestyle. These master hunters feed primarily on small fish, which they catch diving into the water from a surprising height. One advantage that the kingfisher derives from mild winters is that the waters are less likely to freeze over. Nevertheless, the short-term trend for the species in Baden-Württemberg is an increase, but in the long term the population is negatively affected. One reason for this is the past: river straightening and massive construction have severely restricted the kingfisher's habitat.

Two breeding aids for the kingfishers are currently planned in Esslingen's Nymphaea Zoo. However, these have not yet been installed, which is proving to be a challenge because the zoo is dealing with a large construction project for a terrarium and breeding house. Nature conservation expert Ralf Hilzinger from Nabu adds that kingfishers were much more common in the region in the 1980s.

Local challenges and global perspectives

The decline of kingfishers is part of a larger problem that also includes global species loss. According to the WWF, the current extinction of species is the worst since the disappearance of the dinosaurs. This phenomenon is exacerbated by human destruction of habitats. Christoph Heinrich, Director of Nature Conservation at WWF Germany, emphasizes that intact nature not only offers food and clean water, but is also crucial for the functionality of ecosystems.

The example of the kingfisher, whose population is not considered endangered in Germany, stands in contrast to other species such as the European hamster or the North Atlantic right whale. These are threatened worldwide and exemplify the multitude of challenges arising from the loss of biological diversity. The first Red Lists were published in 1971 and serve as a guide for the protection of endangered species and the preservation of habitats. Hopefully the region will keep a good hand in protecting these beautiful birds.