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Description
You probably wouldn't go out of your way to visit but if you're in Strasbourg anyway, you may find Étang du Karpfenloch a pleasant place to spend a few moments birdwatching, especially in winter when the ducks and other waterbirds have arrived. The big plus aside from its proximity to a big city is the glorious afternoon light on a sunny winter's day.
There will be quite a few walkers passing by. They'll mainly be interested in the Sølvhejre as well as the Skarv and Fiskehejre, which are there all year round along with a surprising number of Isfugl.
From mid-to-late autumn until the spring, you can find large numbers of Knarand, accompanied at different times by groups of Taffeland and/or Troldand and, to a lesser extent, Pibeand. Towards the back of the pond there should also be several Lille Lappedykker and perhaps some Toppet Lappedykker.
If you stick around for an hour or more, you have a good chance of seeing the raptors that pass semi-regularly but usually briefly. Vandrefalk, Tårnfalk, Musvåge and Spurvehøg are all realistic possibilities, and a Duehøg has been known to frequent the far side of the pond.
Corvids - mainly Sortkrage, Råge and Ravn - congregate nearby in winter and will pass over the pond at various points during the day without necessarily hanging around. There are several Stor Flagspætte in the vicinity. Sortspætte can also be found, though not as easily as in the past.
Passerines that you have a good chance of encountering include Musvit, Blåmejse, Sumpmejse, Spætmejse and Grønsisken. In winter, you'll probably hear Misteldrossel and Sjagger too.
Details
Access
Étang du Karpfenloch is about 6 km northeast of the city center of Strasbourg. The pond is right next to a car park that shouldn't ever be full (there's more space on the road if necessary). Press P on the map for directions. You can also cycle here quite easily, but there's no public transport. If you're already in Robertsau then it's not too far to walk here from Parc de Pourtales.