3. Cirl Bunting
The historic terraced landscape and its characteristic bird
Today the southeast side of the Ölberg is a closely linked mosaic of different habitats. Vines grow on small terraces which resulted from the building of dry-stone walls. Between them there are bushes. In the eastern part follow meadows and brownfield. In former times, these areas were used as forage areas for goats and cows. Nowadays they are grazed by goats or cut. Such a parallel existence support the presence of very rare species of birds. In the first you can list the Cirl Bunting. This bird is a close relative to the Yellowhammer and similarly active in singing. However, looking at their head designs they can be clearly distinguished. Mainly in spring their sonorous bird call is a typical noise along the Ölberg.
If you think you have heard the ringing of a mobile phone from all sides, you should take a spyglass and search for the eager singer sitting in the crowns of the trees. The seeds of the extensively cultivated meadows and the many species of thermophile insects turn the Ölberg into the ultimate paradise for the Cirl Bunting that normally prefers the Mediterranean region. By the way, looking for the bunting you will find many different birds living in the vineyard: Linnets and goldfinches send their regards!