the Brandenburg ostrich - Landesamt für Umwelt, Gesundheit und ...

Observation39For the viewer it is an unforgettable experiencewhen, in the failing light at dusk, the cock birdstransform themselves from dull shapes to brilliantwhite beacons and then almost disappear again.In order to enjoy this spectacle of the bustard’scourtship without disturbing the birds there arethree observation towers in the HavelländischesLuch and the Belziger Landschaftswiesen. They areopen year round and no registration is necessary(see map section on pages 42 and 43). With alittle luck one might also meet a barn owl in thetowers; they leave their traces in the form of whitesplotches.In mild weather the courting of the bustardsbegins as early as February and continues on – ifnot so intensely – until the early summer. The bestbustard observations can generally be made fromthe beginning of April to the end of May. Themorning and evening hours are particularly suitable,although in the fen mires it can be foggy inthe early hours. As summer approaches the bustardsare increasingly “invisible.” It is occasionallypossible to see the birds from the road, for examplein the winter months when they leave thecore areas of the protected area. Sometimes thebustards stand on the side of the road, but quicklyincrease their distance from stopping cars andespecially people getting out of cars by severalhundred meters. Good optics can help you see thebirds well from a greater distance withoutGuests from all over Europe and even from abroadvisit the observation tower in the Brandenburg GreatBustard territories.disturbing them. If you adapt to the bustards, youhave a good chance of experiencing the birds andtheir natural habitat.During the courting period the Great BustardConservation Foundation offers a visitors’ servicein the exhibition of the Bird Conservation Centrein Buckow as well as guided excursions. Detailscan be found on the Internet site of the foundationas well as in the local media. The rangers ofthe Westhavelland Nature Park also offer GreatBustard tours.