Methorstteich – landscape 5and bird life of a fish pond in Schleswig-Holstein

Abstract

One of the most important fish ponds in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, is the 'Methorstteich', located 20 km west of Kiel. We give an overview of the breeding and resting birds since the 1970th. Some special species should be mentioned for the breeding season. While draining the water during october to january, since 2000 each winter a few Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus are present.

For a fish pond, its size of 23 hectar is comparatively large. The pond is surrounded by an almost complete wooded belt consisting mainly of beech and oaks; some are in the decay stage. Figure 1 shows the distribution of small islands and small coves along this pond. With a maximum depth of around one meter, this pond is comparatively shallow.

In the summer months between 2015 and 2019, the pond's water level was quite low, the main reason for writing this article. At times the water level was so low that muddy surfaces formed and the area at times had an unusually rich vegetation. Water birds were still present but a positive change could be registered after the breeding season. Flocks of White Wagtails Motacilla alba and Water Pipits Anthus spinoletta temporarily occurred, which are rarely seen in Schleswig-Holstein. This type of landscape – shallow water and temporarily dry and muddy parts of ponds – is lacking in Schleswig-Holstein.