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© Paul Walser Schwyzer

Chatzensee

47.43157 , 8.49619

Switzerland

Katzensee

Just north of the city of Zurich you will find two small lakes which are called the Katzenseen, or Chatzenseen in swiss german. An ice age moraine is the reason why the water was (and actually still is) dammed. The lakes are surrounded by flat and high moors, forests, orchards and extensive meadows. To the east there is a wetland (mainly flat moor) which is called "Allmend". At the eastern edge of the Allmend there is the "Büsisee" which is just a substitute measure for the construction of the motorway (A1). The adjacent agricultural fields are intensively farmed.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Admin : : 47.4316/8.4962 (2018-05-19 00:00:00 )

Site name was set by Admin : as "Chatzensee" (2018-05-19 00:00:00 )

Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-24 06:14:14
Just north of the city of Zurich you will find two small lakes which are called the Katzenseen, or Chatzenseen in swiss german. An ice age moraine is the reason why the water is was (and actually still is) dammed. The lakes are surrounded by flat and high moors, forests, orchards and extensive meadows. To the east there is a wetland (mainly flat moor) which is called "Allmend". At the eastern edge of the Allmend there is the "Büsisee" which is just a substitute measure for the construction of the motorway (A1). The adjacent agricultural fields are intensively farmed.
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:49:54
Just north of the city of Zurich you will find two small lakes which are called the Katzenseen, or Chatzenseen in swiss german. An ice age moraine is the reason why the water is dammed. The lakes are surrounded by flat and high moors, forests, orchards and extensive meadows. To the east there is a wetland (mainly flat moor) which is called "Allmend". At the eastern edge of the Allmend there is the "Büsisee" which is just a substitute measure for the construction of the motorway (A1). The adjacent agricultural fields are intensively farmed.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)
Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)

Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) was added by Paul Walser Schwyzer (2021-12-23 11:17:23)

Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) was added by Paul Walser Schwyzer (2021-12-23 11:16:56)

  • Timing and strategy

All year round worth a visit. Especially in spring and autumn bird migration can be pronounced. Breeding birds include Little Bittern, Oriole, Common Grasshopper warbler and Long-eared Owl. The juveniles are constantly calling just at the beginning of the night from june to july. One of the best places to look for wintering Great Bitterns in Switzerland - up to 12 individuals were simultaneously recorded. Especially in march you can see, if you are lucky, the Bitterns dancing in the dusk - a unique experience!!

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-24 06:13
All year round worth a visit. Especially in spring and autumn bird migration can be pronounced. Breeding birds include Little Bittern, Oriole, Common Grasshopper warbler and Long-eared Owl. The juveniles are constantly calling just at the beginning of the night from june to july. One of the best places to look for wintering Great Bitterns in Switzerland - up to 12 individuals were simultaneously recorded. Especially in march you can see, if you are lucky, the Bitterns dancing in the dusk - a unique experience!!
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:56
All year round worth a visit. Especially in spring and autumn bird migration can be interesting. pronounced. One of the best places to look for wintering Great Bitterns in Switzerland - up to 12 individuals were simultaneously recorded. Especially in march you can see, if you are lucky, the Bitterns dancing in the dusk - a unique experience!!
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:52
All year round worth a visit. Especially in spring and autumn bird migration can be interesting. One of the best places to look for wintering Great Bitterns in Switzerland - up to 12 individuals were recorded. Especially in march you can see, if you are lucky, the Bitterns dancing in the dusk - a unique experience!!
  • How to get there

By public transport: Bus Nr. 61 to the final station "Zürich, Mühlacker" or Bus nr. 32 to the final station "Holzerhurd"

By car: You have two parking options. Direct access from the motorway (A1) to a parking lot in the south of the lakes (47.428042, 8.490730; https://s.geo.admin.ch/95128506cf), which however requires you to pay from 8-21h (1CHF / hour). The other (more space-limited but free) option is coming from the north (47.436669, 8.502218; https://s.geo.admin.ch/951285ab7d).

By bike: This is probably the best option to visit the Chatzensee area. You are allowed to bike on most of the tracks. Except the walkway east of Oberer Chatzensee and a part of the walkway north of the Unterer Chatzensee are closed for bikers - but you are allowed to push the bike ;-).

Be aware, that it can get quite busy, especially on the weekends.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-24 06:02
By public transport: Bus Nr. 61 to the final station "Zürich, Mühlacker" or Bus nr. 32 to the final station "Holzerhurd" By car: You have two parking options. Direct access from the motorway (A1) to a parking lot in the south of the lakes (47.428042, 8.490730; https://s.geo.admin.ch/95128506cf), which however requires you to pay from 8-21h (1CHF / hour). The other (more space-limited but free) option is coming from the north (47.436669, 8.502218; https://s.geo.admin.ch/951285ab7d). By bike bike: This is probably the best option to visit the Chatzensee area. The You are allowed to bike on most of the tracks. Except the walkway east of Oberer Chatzensee and a part of the walkway north of the Unterer Chatzensee are closed for bikers - but you are allowed to push the bike. bike ;-). Be aware, that it can get quite busy here, busy, especially on the weekends.
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 12:03
By public transport: Bus Nr. 61 to the final station "Zürich, Mühlacker" or Bus nr. 32 to the final station "Holzerhurd" By car: You have two parking options. Direct access from the motorway (A1) to a parking lot in the south of the lakes (47.428042, 8.490730), 490730; https://s.geo.admin.ch/95128506cf), which however requires you to pay from 8-21h (1CHF / hour). The other (more space-limited but free) option is coming from the north (47.436669, 8.502218). 502218; https://s.geo.admin.ch/951285ab7d). By bike is the best option to visit the Chatzensee area. The walkway east of Oberer Chatzensee and a part of the walkway north of the Unterer Chatzensee are closed for bikers - but you are allowed to push the bike. Be aware, that it can get quite busy here, especially on the weekends.
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:27
By public transport: Bus Nr. 61 to the final station "Zürich, Mühlacker" or Bus nr. 32 to the final station "Holzerhurd" By car: You have two parking options. Direct access from the motorway (A1) to a parking lot in the south of the lakes (47.428042, 8.490730), which however requires you to pay from 8-21h (1CHF / hour). The other (more space-limited but free) option is coming from the north (47.436669, 8.502218). Be aware, that it can get quite busy here, especially on the weekends.

Most parts of the area are protected and access is forbidden. But there is a dense walkway system and as you can walk around the lakes you will find many nice observation points.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:29
Most parts of the area are protected and access is forbidden. But there is a dense walkway system and as you can walk around the lakes you will find many nice observation points.
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:27
By public transport: Bus Nr. 61 to the final station "Zürich, Mühlacker" or Bus nr. 32 to the final station "Holzerhurd" By car: You have two parking options. Direct access from the motorway (A1) to a parking lot in the south of the lakes (47.428042, 8.490730), which however requires you to pay from 8-21h (1CHF / hour). The other (more space-limited but free) option is coming from the north (47.436669, 8.502218). Be aware, that it can get quite busy here, especially on the weekends. How to get there Access via car is easy on the A1.
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:22
By public transport: Bus Nr. 61 to the final station "Zürich, Mühlacker" or Bus nr. 32 to the final station "Holzerhurd" By car: You have two parking options: either in the South coming directly options. Direct access from the motorway (A1) to a parking lot in the south of the lakes (47.428042, 8.490730), which however requires you to pay from 8-21h (1CHF / hour). The other (more space-limited but free) option is coming from the North north (47.436669, 8.502218). Be aware, that it can get quite busy here, especially on the weekends. How to get there Access via car is easy on the A1.
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:19
By public transport: Bus Nr. 61 to the final station "Zürich, Mühlacker" or Bus nr. 32 to the final station "Holzerhurd" You have two parking options: either in the South coming directly from the motorway (47.428042, 8.490730), which however requires you to pay from 8-21h (1CHF / hour). The other (more space-limited but free) option is coming from the North (47.436669, 8.502218). Be aware, that it can get quite busy here, especially on the weekends. How to get there Access via car is easy on the A1.
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

Close to the parking in the south is a restaurant (Restaurant Waldhaus Katzensee, https://waldhaus-katzensee.ch/. From spring to autumn there are public toilets in the swimming area. These toilets are unfotunately closed in winter time.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:33
Close to the parking in the south is a restaurant (Restaurand Chatzensee). (Restaurant Waldhaus Katzensee, https://waldhaus-katzensee.ch/. From spring to autumn there are open public toilets in the swimming area. These toilets are unfotunately closed in winter time.
Edited by Paul Walser Schwyzer on 2021-12-23 11:32
Close to the parking in the south is a restaurant (Restaurand Chatzensee). From spring to autumn there are open public toilets in the swimming area. These toilets are unfotunately closed in winter time.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
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Contributors

Paul Walser Schwyzer

Gallery

Reports

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Species:
2018-05-18 Chatzensee, Zurich Stefan Greif
Chatzensee - Orniverse