WIth a fellow bird nerd/hobby photographer I took the RE4 to Elstal and then bus 668. Döberitzer Heide is gorgeous, and huge, and home to many birds such and the Hoepoe (saw one, did not manage to get a photo), the Golden Oriole (saw two, or perhaps same one twice) and managed to get one bad photo, the highly endangered Wheatear (saw many and got a couple of not great photos) as well the Red-backed Shrike, the Stonechat, one Red Marlin and several Kestrels, and some insects.
Made a mental note to explore the area further.
I unfortunately had to be back home for a zoom course in the mid-afternoon, but did make it to the “Ausssichtspunkt auf der Wüste” (googlable) which is absolutely worth it. There is one of the round benches with a roof and a fantastic, panoramic view.
Bonus tip: There are no toilets anywhere. At the start of the walk, Sielmann Stiftung has a building with info and expo, and I assume they have toilets there, but it is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
First three photos taken at the station in Elstal, and then the birds, and then the critters.
Some black and white:
Other, including a bit of the “Lost Place” Olympic Village in Elstal:
