Above the reed banks is located an orchard as well placed by the disposal of the sewage plant “SIAS”. The 1.71ha big area is full with fruit trees (Malus, Prunus, Pyrus and Juglans), hedges and meadows. The fruit trees get used for bio juice or jam. Furthermore we’re collecting the apples in autumn for the winter period to attract thrushes around the feeding places. The meadows get mowed or used to hold cheeps and ponies. Through the orchard is a water nature trail for visitors of the bird ringing station and sewage plant.
The research area is located in the middle of the orchard and represent 0.1ha. By separating the shrubs, only fruit shrubs (privet (Ligustrum vulgare), guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus), wayfarer (Viburnum lantana), spindle (Euonymus europaeus), hazel (Corylus avellana), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), elder (Sambucus sp.), dog rose (Rosa canina), rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa), blackberry (Rubus fruticisus)) are growing in this area and create a very interesting shrubbery during the whole year.
Furthermore this area is the main place for all nesting boxes. These boxes get used by sparrows and tits.
Typical species for the "orchard":
Buzzards (Buteo buteo), kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), pigeons, cuckoos (Cuculus canorus), owls, woodpeckers, tree pipits (Anthus trivialis), waxwings (Bombycilla garrulous), dunnocks (Prunella modularis), robins (Erithacus rubecula), redstarts (Phoenicurus sp.), thrushes (Turdus sp.), garden warblers (Sylvia borin), blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla), chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita), willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus), goldcrests (Regulus regulus), firecrests (Regulus ignicapilla), wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes), pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca), tits (Parus sp.), nuthatch (Sitta europaea), treecreepers (Certhia sp.), jays (Garrulus glandarius), carrion crows (Corvus corone), sparrows (Passer sp.), chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs), linnets (Carduelis cannabina), redpolls (Carduelis flammea), greenfinches (Carduelis chloris), bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) and hawfinches (Coccothraustes cocothraustes).