Walks on Lake Thun

Even in the winter, you can observe lots of animals during a stroll along the lakeshore in Gwatt, near Thun.

There is much to discover, either on a guided tour with the ornithologist Martin Gerber or under your own steam: Gulls with white heads, which turn dark brown in the summer, curve through the air. Swans, black-and white goldeneye ducks and cinnamon-coloured shelducks paddle through the water. A small wood close to the Bonstettenpark is the realm of the non-poisonous grass snakes, which sleep through the winter in mouse holes and clumps of branches and wait for the first frogs to appear in the spring.

There are reeds as far as the eye can see in the Gwattlischenmoss nature reserve. This area is one of the two remaining sections of natural shoreline on Lake Thun. Even a dozen roe deer live here - well hidden. There is a high wall in the middle of the reeds that serves as an artificial nesting area for kingfishers. This fascinating bird, with its metallic-blue back and orange belly is no longer directly endangered in Europe, but finds too few cliff areas for nesting in free nature. This wall, made from a mixture of sand and lime filled into stone baskets, is a good substitute.

Directions:
From Thun railway station: Bus No. 1 going towards Spiez, at the “Camping” bus stop.

Further information:
 www.ngt.scnatweb.ch
 www.gerbertours.ch