Rhineland-Palatinate

Landlocked Rhineland Palatinate is one of the 16 federal states of Germany. It borders France in the south, Luxembourg and Belgium in the northwest, and the states of Saarland to the southwest, North Rhine Westphalia to the north, Hesse to the northeast and Baden-Württemberg to the southeast. It covers 19,846 km² (7,663 square miles) and has a population of over four million residents. Mainz is the state capital and largest city.

It is formed by the Rhineland in the north with the Rhine flowing through and the Palatinate in the south with the Rhine forming the eastern border. Over 40% of the state is forested and it’s landscape is characterised by thickly forested mountain chains, the most famous being the Palatine Forest in the south (Germany’s largest forest area) as well as the mountains of Eifel and Hunsrück (804 meters high) in the north.

The second most important river after the Rhine is the Mosel. To the east, protected by the rainy mountainous area, is the Rhine flatland one of the warmest parts of Germany.

Eifel Natrional Park – ©ManonB2018 CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The state can be divided into two areas climatically. The Rhenish Massif with the typical humid continental climate, has warm summers with much precipitation, whereas the winters tend to be cold and dry. Snowfall is a common. The deep valleys of Rhine and Moselle have an oceanic climate, where summers are hot and moist, while winters are cool. Freezing temperatures are rare and snow usually melts within hours. The favourable weather conditions make this area ideal for the cultivation of figs, almonds and for extensive vineyards. It is Germany’s leading wine producer, accounting for as much as 70% of its production.

Birding Rhineland Palatinate

In all there are seven national parks (about 27% of the total land surface) and approximately 500 nature reserves (total surface 370 km²) in the state. Apart from that there are 51 bird protection areas, which cover about 8% of the total land surface.

Three territories are of particular interest for ornithologists:

The higher areas of the lower mountain ranges for species such as Hazel Grouse, Eurasian Woodcock, Tengmalm’s Owl, Eurasian Nutcracker, Common Raven and Common Redpoll.

Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park – ©Silvia Bukovac Gasevic CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The drier areas on the edge of the Rhine flatland for species such as European Honey-buzzard, Red Kite, Little Owl, Eurasian Nightjar, Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Wood Lark, Red-backed Shrike, Northern Shrike, Cirl Bunting and Rock Bunting on the stony hillsides.

Palatinate Forest Nature Park – © Friedrich Haag / Wikimedia Commons

The large wet areas (old Rhine offshoots, former gravel pits & fens) near the Rhine for Red-Necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Purple Heron, Common Kingfisher, Bluethroat, Savi’s Warbler, Great Reed-Warbler, Melodious Warbler, and Eurasian Penduline Tit.

Other notable species found in the state are Black Woodpecker, Grey-faced Woodpecker and Crested Tit that can be found in all forest areas, and Black Stork, Collared Flycatcher, Eurasian Eagle Owl and Crested Lark, which can only be found in a few special habitats.