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Rare tufted ducks in Giessen: A glimmer of hope for ornithologists!
Giessen presents a new ornithological report on threatened waterfowl and breeding birds, including rare species.
Rare tufted ducks in Giessen: A glimmer of hope for ornithologists!
A small natural miracle has unfolded in the middle of the beautiful Hessian landscape: Gießen is becoming the new hotspot for waterfowl. Again Gießener Anzeiger Reportedly, the tufted duck is threatened with extinction in Hesse, with fewer than 50 breeding pairs in the entire state. But Gießen can point to at least three breeding pairs of this rare water bird. This positive news is the result of extensive ornithological research in the city, carried out by dedicated ornithologists.
A new report from the Giessen working group of the Hessian Society for Ornithology and Nature Conservation (HGON) sheds light on the region's impressive birdlife. 46 pages of revelations show that Giessen is not only an urban center, but also a diverse biotope that is home to many endangered species. The report is based on tens of thousands of data sets from ornitho.de as well as the meticulous observations of over 30 ornithologists collected between 2022 and 2024.
Diversity of bird species
The results are remarkable and far-reaching. During the breeding season, no fewer than 18 bird species are recorded in Gießen - including geese, ducks and rails. Particularly noteworthy is the Canada goose, which has been nesting in the city since 2017, with a population of three to six breeding pairs in the Wieseckaue. The gray goose has also become established; Since 2000 it has been present again as a breeding bird, with an estimated 10 to 25 breeding pairs.
- Höckerschwan: 7 bis 8 Brutpaare
- Nilgans: 20 bis 30 Brutpaare
- Stockente: 30 bis 50 Brutpaare
- Schnatterente: erstmals 2024 beobachtet
- Teichhühner: 30 bis 50 Brutpaare, eine der größten Populationen in Hessen
- Zwergtaucher: von 4 Paaren 2023 auf 12 bis 13 Paare 2024 gestiegen
- Graureiher: über 110 Brutpaare, eine der größten Kolonien in Hessen
This diversity impressively shows that Gießen, with over 81 hectares of flowing water and 36 hectares of still water, offers an ideal environment for these water birds. The report will be continued in the coming years to document additional species and their status.
Ecosystem and nature conservation
Bird watching is not only a hobby for nature lovers but also an important tool for monitoring the ecosystem. Like that too Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology explains, observations of bird species can provide information about the health of a habitat. Reporting on waterbirds in Giessen plays a particularly important role in this context, as the data potentially provides important information for nature conservation.
The variety of waterfowl that Giessen has to offer is often underestimated. Dedicated to bird recording and conservation, HGON's records help raise awareness of the value of local biodiversity. It was found that watering is of great importance not only for the resident species, but also for a large number of migratory and resting birds.
The digitally available reports invite all bird lovers to find out more and participate in monitoring the bird populations in Giessen. A certain interest in the bird world is not only a joy for the individual, but also a benefit for the entire community.