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EmersonBigguns · 02-04-2008, 08:38 AM

For what its worth....

I found this thread about a month ago looking for info on Auschwitz. I visited both Auschwitz sites last week, kept this thread in mind while I was there, and I just wanted to add my personal observations.

There are definately birds at Auschwitz. Auschwitz 1 had so many species of different birds occupying the trees and rooftops that I didn't even bother to count.

At Auschwitz 2 - Birkenau I also observed several species of songbirds, more than a few crows, and even a duck sitting in a drainaing ditch near the rail bed.

The answer to the original post is definately a big no.

The real question should be why do people not see birds when they visit Auschwitz?

Three reasons. One, they don't know where to look and two, specifically in the case of Birkenau, is lack of suitable habitat. Auschwitz 2 is located in a large open area with no significant foliage or other areas for birds to forage for food and there is also no access to water without a substantial rainfail. The only significant patches of trees at Auschwitz lie on the fringes of the camp and this is where I observed most of the activity. Most of the buildings are gone and those that do survive or lie in ruin are not ideal for nesting due to the reasons stated above. Also, I definately heard more birds than I saw.

The third reason is obvious. Birds are generally not what one is going to be thinking about when visiting to that awful place. Rightly so.

Again just an observation on the original question. I'll post some photos of my trip in a different thread later.

02-04-2008, 08:38 AM	#30 (permalink)
EmersonBigguns Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 100	For what its worth.... I found this thread about a month ago looking for info on Auschwitz. I visited both Auschwitz sites last week, kept this thread in mind while I was there, and I just wanted to add my personal observations. There are definately birds at Auschwitz. Auschwitz 1 had so many species of different birds occupying the trees and rooftops that I didn't even bother to count. At Auschwitz 2 - Birkenau I also observed several species of songbirds, more than a few crows, and even a duck sitting in a drainaing ditch near the rail bed. The answer to the original post is definately a big no. The real question should be why do people not see birds when they visit Auschwitz? Three reasons. One, they don't know where to look and two, specifically in the case of Birkenau, is lack of suitable habitat. Auschwitz 2 is located in a large open area with no significant foliage or other areas for birds to forage for food and there is also no access to water without a substantial rainfail. The only significant patches of trees at Auschwitz lie on the fringes of the camp and this is where I observed most of the activity. Most of the buildings are gone and those that do survive or lie in ruin are not ideal for nesting due to the reasons stated above. Also, I definately heard more birds than I saw. The third reason is obvious. Birds are generally not what one is going to be thinking about when visiting to that awful place. Rightly so. Again just an observation on the original question. I'll post some photos of my trip in a different thread later. Last edited by EmersonBigguns; 02-04-2008 at 08:45 AM.