Yahotyn Fish Ponds
The Yahotyn fish pond complex. Large and small water bodies, reeds, wetland margins.
Near Yahotyn there is a complex of ponds with large and small water bodies. Narrow dams with reeds and shrubs run between them. This is one of the most varied points on the route for watching waterbirds and marsh species.
In spring ducks pause and nest on the shallow ponds, and grey and great egrets stand on the open stretches. In autumn migrant flocks of ducks and waders move through. In August and October great egrets appear more often on the shallows. Early morning is the best time to scan all the dams from one place.
Practical tips
- Best in spring and autumn, when migrants pause on the shallows.
- The ponds are spread out. Walk the dam slowly and look at each stretch of water.
- Paths between dams may be wet after rain. Wear comfortable footwear.
Best season: March–May and September–October
Birds at this stop
- Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
- Common Merganser Mergus merganser
- Common Pochard Aythya ferina
- Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
- Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris
- Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
- Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
- Gadwall Mareca strepera
- Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
- Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
- Great Egret Ardea alba
- Greater Scaup Aythya marila
- Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
- Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
- Mute Swan Cygnus olor
- Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
- Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
- Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
- Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
- White Wagtail Motacilla alba
