On the road
Please stay on public roads. Don´t use field or agricultural paths to reach secluded areas: These serve as retreat areas for the cranes and should not be disturbed by humans. If the weather and light conditions allow it, please drive without your lights on. At the Crane Information Centre, you can always ask for the best spots to observe cranes.

Car as hide
Cranes can best be observed out of the car. As the birds are chased in several European countries, including Germany they are very shy and suspicious of humans. The flight distance is more than 300 meters. Only park your car in designated areas and don't leave it.

Heads up
When all cranes lift their heads, it´s an indication for a disturbance. Cranes regard humans as potential danger and will fly away when you approach them. In doing so, they waste energy that they need for their further journey.

Observing facilities
Please use the facilities at the feeding areas and sleeping sites that are recommended to you by the Crane Information Centre and the National Park Office. In September and October, these spots will be looked after by staff from the National Park, the Crane Information Centre as well as volunteers. Observing cranes includes seeing and hearing. If you behave quietly, all guests will be able to experience the impressive calls of the cranes peacefully. It is also important to wear warm and inconspicuous clothes while observing cranes. Your dogs are not allowed to run free. They are also regarded as danger and avoided by the cranes.

Better view
For observation, we recommend at least binoculars, even better is a spotting scope. To avoid blurred pictures due to an unsteady hand, use a tripod, e.g by Berlebach.

Taking pictures
Never photograph the cranes on their flight to the sleeping site using a flash. The birds get unsettled by that. For taking good pictures, you need at least a focal length of 400mm with which you can also succeed in taking a good picture out of the car.

On the water
There are rules for your behaviour on the water, too: Keep aloof from the shore, regions with reed as well as shallow water areas. Only use the official water ways and avoid flocks of resting birds. Drive as slow as eight knots but don´t stop. Anchor only in designated areas.