The Nymphenburg Park in Munich is thought amongst birders and non-birders alike for Tawny Owls that usually roost very near the paths main by means of the inexperienced areas. You usually see individuals on walks stopping beneath just a few particular bushes and peering into the foliage to examine if the acquainted birds are again at their daytime roosts. They’re so well-known that the person owls even have names, though I overlook them proper after I used to be instructed what they’re. I’m unsure if this was as a result of I’m dangerous with names on the whole, or as a result of they had been probably the most stereotypical German names on the market. On most of my brief stays in Munich, I’ve additionally visited the park within the hope of getting some good views. I used to be fortunate round half of the time, however by no means had digicam with me so this time I went with the hope of getting some respectable pictures.
After passing the spectacular palace, I began trying on the roost websites that I do know of. I’m not conscious of what number of common roost websites are recognized. At first I used to be instructed of three, however by now different individuals who I met within the park confirmed me two additional spots the place the owls commonly whereas away the sunlight hours. I left the primary two roost empty-handed, however had a drowsy Tawny Owl peer down at me on the third tree I checked, an previous and gnarly lime tree – precisely the kind of tree which looks as if the perfect owl roost web site while you come throughout it within the forest.
The park didn’t supply a lot else of curiosity, however I did spend a while watching a Nice Noticed Woodpecker and a Eurasian Coot with its moderately funky-looking chicks. I feel opinions are fairly divided over the latter, with some individuals telling me that they discover them actually cute and others considering they’re exceedingly ugly. Perhaps it’s the truth that they’re chicks that make them extra divise than birds like Marabou Storks (I’ve by no means heard anybody name these ‘cute’).
Owls are at all times nice to see and although that is simply the most typical owl in Europe, seeing it this effectively just isn’t that straightforward. I’m additionally type of glad that I gained’t have this nagging feeling that I ought to get higher pictures of this chicken the following time I’m in Munich.