Birding around Frankfurt Airport – Schwanheimer Duene

There are not too many foreign birdwatchers coming to the middle of Germany for just birding. But Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the gateway to continental Europe. Many airlines use the Airport as a hub for connecting flights all over the world. If you have spare time between two flight and you are a birdwatcher, you might be interested to know, where you can find good places to stretch your legs, enjoy fresh air and enjoy birding for typical european birds. One of these places is only 15 minutes away from the Frankfurt Airport. This is the Schwanheimer Duene (Dunes of Schwanheim) located in a southern outskirt of Frankfurt. In so far, the area is more or less the same distance than the Langener Waldseen. But whereas these lakes, situated just 2 km east of the runway of Frankfurt AP, are a highly frequented recreation area in summertime, the Schwanheimer Duene is especially good in spring and summer. Thus an excellent alternative to the Langener Waldseen which are very productive in wintertime.

The Schwanheimer Duene is one of the few inland dunes in Europe. It was established after the last ice age of sands that have been blown out of the riverbed of the River Main. Then, a forest grew on it. In the last century farmers cleared the forest and put on cherry meadows. Several dry periods ended these attempts in the second half of the 19th Century. The dune devasted and started to wander. Between 1882 and 1890 the dune moved aground to its present location.

Following the desolation a  typical plant community of inland dune developed, which can be encountered up to nowadays. This plant community is called Silbergrasflur (silvery grassland) which is extremely rare and ecologically valuable. With its representatives include Grey Hairgrass (Corynephorus canescens), common shepherd’s cress (Teesdalia nudicaulis) and the Sea Pink (Armeria elongata). In addition to small plants there are some Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), which resemble with their bizarre growth pines you find on distant coastlines.

The dune has been used more recently for sand and gravel extraction, as can be seen at the ponds which are located inside the area, too. Unfortunately these old gravel pits are fenced and not open to the public to protect these areas as breeding habitat for birds.

The area has been designated as a nature reserve by the State of Hesse in 1984. Since its expansion in 2002, it now covers 58.5 hectares. Since 2003 it is also protected as Flora-Fauna-Habitat Area under European Law. Good birds to be seen in the core areas are European Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia turtur) and especially the Eurasian Golden-Oriole (Oriolus oriolus). But also the passerine birds are well represented with Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin), Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis), Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca), Hedge Accentor (Prunella modularis ), Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and – on migration  – Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) and Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). The woods hold some species of continental woodpeckers (incl. Middle-spotted, Eurasian Green Woodpecker and Grey-faced Woodpecker) and in some seasons good numbers of Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes ). The Mistle Thrushes (Turdus viscivorus) are often heard and sometimes seen in the canopy of the many pine trees.  In fall you might see large flocks of Common Crane flying overhead following the Main river.

For direction it is recommended to take a taxi for the 15 minutes trip. Tell the taxi driver to bring you in the direction of the “Industriepark Hoechst”. That industrial complex is west of the dunes. He will probably take the highway B43, than exit the B43 only 5 minutes later on the B40 to downtown Frankfurt (Frankfurt – Stadtzentrum). Drive only this direction, do NOT follow the sign to “Industriepark Hoechst”!

The next exit is Exit “Schwanheim”. Leave the exit; the road is signed “Schwanheimer Ufer” – to the west (left direction) and have the taxi stop in front of the end of the big road near some gardens and huts. From here you have to walk for almost 1 km along a garden area in a south-western direction. Best to take a GPS with you.

The Schwanheimer Duene is accessed by two ways, one in north-south the other in east-west direction, which intersect at the center.  In the sandy areas the trails are enforced by planks. A boardwalk leads visitors through the core area, which can be explored this way without hurting the sensitive habitat. To protect animals and plants it is forbidden to leave the trails in  the core area.

Beware: Arrange for a taxi pick-up to return to the airport in due time.

Hope all this helps you birders who are researching your next trip to Germany or spending the time during a stop-over in Frankfurt. Ok, this is a longish article, but as a birder myself I know that the little details make the difference, and well, it takes more time and words to be specific. I could add so much more but I´ll leave it at this for now.

Feel free to contact me. I am are always interested in getting feedback from birders both before and after their visits to Frankfurt: you can help us improve facilities and also provide us with more info on birds around Frankfurt in the Rhein-Main area.  Bird-lens is very interested in expanding our knowledge of birdlife in the area. In general we have a good overview of much, but bird info on good numbers, rarities, nice photos, etc is always very interesting.

You are most welcome to Frankfurt, and we are happy to help you out with info and advice!

There are other places in nearer surroundings but access is a bit tricky. Please contact via the contact form if I can give further directions or even guide you. Please leave a valid e-mail-adress, so  I can respond to you!