The Bird Observatory

The bird observatory was inaugurated in 2011 by the ONF and the City of Haguenau as part of the International Year of Forests.

Located on the site of a former clay quarry, once used for ceramic production, the area underwent a renaturation project after extraction ceased. Part of the site, resulting from underwater clay extraction, was preserved as a pond, providing a natural habitat for wildlife and plants.

Today, this space is a biodiversity haven where many bird species find refuge. Visitors can observe herons, moorhens, ducks, and for the most patient and early risers, kingfishers and great crested grebes. The site showcases the ecological richness of the Forêt d’Exception® of Haguenau, inviting a contemplative pause in a unique forest environment.