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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 Great Egret as well as the Great Cormorant and Grey Heron, which are there all year round along with a surprising number of Common Kingfisher.
From mid-to-late autumn until the spring, you can find large numbers of Gadwall, accompanied at different times by groups of Common Pochard and/or Tufted Duck and, to a lesser extent, Eurasian Wigeon. Towards the back of the pond there should also be several Little Grebe and perhaps some Great Crested Grebe.
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. Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Kestrel, Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk are all realistic possibilities, and a Eurasian Goshawk has been known to frequent the far side of the pond.
Corvids - mainly Carrion Crow, Rook and Common Raven - congregate nearby in winter and will pass over the pond at various points during the day without necessarily hanging around. There are several Great Spotted Woodpecker in the vicinity. Black Woodpecker can also be found, though not as easily as in the past.
Passerines that you have a good chance of encountering include Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Marsh Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Siskin. In winter, you'll probably hear Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare 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.