Black cormorants, great crested grebes, grey herons, ducks, and with a bit of luck, red and black kites as well as the black stork – the Urft Dam in the Eifel National Park is a paradise for birds. Here they can breed in peace and raise their young. From the Bird Watching Station at the Urft Dam, the birdlife can be excellently observed. Two high-quality telescopes are available for this purpose.
Was was that a cormorant flying there? Not everyone has binoculars in their luggage during a hike, and often the birds are too far away to observe them closely with the naked eye. Those who want to take a closer look at the bird world in the Eifel National Park should head to the Bird Watching Station at Urft Dam.
From here, not only can you observe cormorants, but also great crested grebes, ducks, and gray herons. Two high-quality telescopes with fifteenfold magnification are installed at the station at different heights, allowing even wheelchair users to comfortably watch the birds feeding their young or hunting for food over the lake.
The Urft Lake is perfect for cormorants to raise their young. Abundant juvenile fish stocks of the predominant perch in the dam provide a plentiful supply for the chicks and their parents. About 50 pairs of cormorants have settled here. For centuries, the cormorant was hunted and became extinct in the western interior of Germany after World War II. Thanks to extensive protective measures, their populations have recovered well. The accessible information boards provide many interesting facts about the landscape and the unique features of the local birdlife. In the Eifel National Park, animals find the necessary peace to hunt and raise their young. It’s no surprise that alongside the cormorants, with a bit of luck, the red kite, black kite, and black stork can also be seen at the Urft Dam.
Those who wish to recharge after extensive birdwatching can use the nearby restaurant for a meal. It is barrier-free accessible, and there is also a public toilet for people with disabilities located at the Urft dam.
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