Overview
The Niderholz is situated in the far north of Switzerland between the Rhine and the town of Marthalen.
Extensive oak, beech and hornbeam forests make up the area and there are many ancient oaks surviving from past times when the Niderholz was coppice-and-standard woodland with the lower forest layers cut for fuel and occasional larger trees left for timber. Surrounding the woodlands are open fields.
Birds
Notable Species
Not surprisingly woodpeckers are common and this is probably the best site in Switzerland for Middle Spotted Woodpecker. Others present include Black Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker and Grey-headed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Raptors are also well represented with Common Buzzard and European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite and Red Kite, Eurasian Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Northern Hobby and Common Kestrel all breeding.
Other breeding birds of interest include Stock Dove and European Turtle Dove, Tawny Owl and passerines such as Wood Warbler, Common Firecrest, European Pied Flycatcher, Short-toed Treecreeper and Common Treecreeper, Eurasian Golden Oriole and Hawfinch.
More open areas and young plantations have Eurasian Skylark, Red-backed Shrike, European Serin and Yellowhammer. Alpine Swift can be seen overhead in some of the local villages.
Rarities
In spring European Bee-eater may be possible around the huge gravel pits. Eurasian Griffon Vulture is recorded.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Grey Heron, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Eurasian Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Northern Hobby, Eurasian Woodcock (rare), Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, European Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Northern House Martin, Tree Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, European Stonechat, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Common Firecrest, European Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper, Short-toed Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Common Starling, Common Jay, Common Magpie, Eurasian Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling(winter), European Serin, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Linnet, Eurasian Bullfinch, Hawfinch, Red Crossbill, Yellowhammer
Other Wildlife
Roe Deer can easily be seen in the morning or in the evening in the open fields around the woodland. Red Foxes live in the area and a huge population of Wild Boars. They can be seen in the forest or around. If you walk into them just stay still and wait until they are gone.
Site Information
History and Use
The Niderholz is partly protected. In the protected areas the old coppice-and-standard method is used again. Around the protected areas the forest is still used, but in most parts in a woodpecker-friendly way. The Niderholz is popular for walkers and people with dogs. But beeing quite big you will hardly ever meet a crowd.
The Niderholz is also infamous for its ticks. They do carry borreliosis (Lyme disease) and meningitis. Be very careful and don't leave the paths. Check yourself after a visit and if in doubt consult a doctor.
Areas of Interest
Watt
A protected area in the northern part of the forest. Signed and equipped with countless nest boxes. Very good for Middle Spotted Woodpecker and all other woodpeckers.
Radholz
Also in the northern part and another nice area for woodpeckers (and wild boars).
Ellikon am Rhein
A small village west of the forest at the Rhine. South of the village a Great Grey Shrike winters since some years. At the rhine some ducks and Common Kingfisher can be found.
Hörnlispitz
A hill in the southern part of the forest and another reliable site for Middle Spotted Woodpecker.
Steinacker
A huge gravel pit east of the forest. A big colony of Sand Martins is breeding here. European Stonechat can be found as well and sometimes, with some luck, European Bee-eater.
Access and Facilities
Marthalen is the ideal base from which to explore the Niderholz and hotel accommodation is available here and in the neighbouring towns of Flaach and Ellikon. You can also visit the area in a day trip from Zurich or another town nearby (Schaffhausen, Winterthur).
The trainstation of Marthalen is quite far away. Take the bus from the trainstation to the village. From there follow the marked trails (eg direction Rheinau) to the west. There are many trails through the forest and you can spend hours there. With a map you can make sure not to get lost. From Rheinau a bus takes you back to Marthalen. Ellikon has no public transport.
A visit in March, April, May or June will bring most of the mentioned species. Especially in March and April Woodpeckers are more active and easier to see.
