Murnauer Moos
Christoph Moning, assistance by Thomas Guggenmoos
The Murnauer Moos is an excellent spot to observe Cornkrake and Scarlet Rosefinch. Covering 4.200 hectare (including the periphery) this wetland is belonging to the largest intact wetlands of central Europe. Additionally in Bavaria it is an important breeding area for birds that are breeding in open wetlands. You can enjoy the beautiful landscape with its characteristic wet meadows in front of the great scenery of the alps by foot or by bike using the well maintained paths. The area is suitable for a day or half day trip. The best time to visit is by mid May to mid June, because the breeding species are most interesting.
Requirements:
Attainable with public means of transport: Yes, if combined with a bike.
Equipment: binoculars (and a scope)
Accessibility of the area: easy walk or ride
Interesting species:
Short-toed Eagle (almost every year), Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, European Hobby, Quail, Corncrake, Spotted Crake (number of calling males depends on the dampness of the wetland), Curlew (nearly extinct), Common Snipe, White-backed Woodpecker (rare), Grey-headed Woodpecker, Bluethroat (very rare), Whinchat, Stonechat, Grasshopper Warbler, Bonelli's Warbler (on the small hills in the wetland), Great Grey Shrike (mainly during winter), Nutcracker (e.g. at the bog called Lange Filz), Scarlet Rosefinch. With more than 50 species of dragonflies the Murnauer Moos wetland is one of the richest areas in dragonflies in Germany. There are many specialities like Sympecma paedisca, Nehalennia speciosa or Aeshna isosceles.
Habitats:
Approximately 10% of the area is bog. The main part are wet meadows, sedge marshes and reed beds. Along the paths the bushes and trees are inhabited by the Scarlet Rosefinch. In the southern part granite outcrops covered by spruce forest ("Köchel") dominate the landscape.
Information:
Internet:
http://www.murnau.de: Accommodation and much more
How to get there:
By railway: You can reach the area easily by railway. The station of Murnau is situated at the main route between Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From the station you will need a bike to cover the 3 km to the Murnauer Moos (for details read below:).
By car: From Highway A 95 (Munich-Garmisch Partenkirchen) take exit Murnau/Kochel and drive to Murnau. In Murnau head on the B 2 to the south (in the direction to Garmisch-Partenkirchen). After You passed a railway bridge go for another 200 metres and turn right (immediately after You left the town: yellow sign "Murnau" crossed out by a red line) into another district of Murnau. Now follow the signs in the direction to "Ähnderl". That means, that You have to take the right, when the road forks 250 m after you left the main road. After driving 1 km from the B 2 You should have reached the small Chapel called St. Georgskircherl or "Ähndl". There is also a restaurant with a Biergarten nearby (well worth to go to after a long walk in summer). Here You can park.
Birdwatching:
From the St. Georges chapel (Ähndl) follow the hike and cycle path signed "Moosrundweg Nr. 5" (green signs) that starts right to the south of the chapel at a wooden bridge. The first part of the path will lead You through wet meadows along the watercourse called Ramsach (1). Look and listen for Scarlet Rosefinch in the bushes and trees along the path by the end of May. It is easier to hear them, than to see them. The males are most active at the first weeks after their arrival in the breeding area. Whin- and Stonechats can be watched at the meadows while Corncrake and Quail will be calling covered by the high grass. The Corn Crake and the few males of the Spotted Crake are very active at dusk and the first hours of the dark. You may well find raptors like European Hobby, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite or if You are very lucky the Short-toed Eagle flying over the open landscape.
3.5 km after You left Ähndl, You will reach a bridge where the path forks. The meadow to the south is especially good for Corncrake. Now You have reached the end of the most interesting part. From here You can walk/ ride back or You follow the path to the right (2: Lange Filz not suitable for cyclists) or you go for another few kilometres straight on in the direction to Grafenaschau. This path will lead You through a beautiful landscape of meadows, small forests, bogs and watercourses (3). Take the same way back if You decide to go there. The circular route (2) will lead You into a spruce forest in which You will find the "Lange Filz" a very nice bog. 500 metres after You have entered the forest, turn to the left and follow the signs of the walking trail. The bog is interesting for botany and insects. Look also for Sparrowhawk, Common Crossbill and Nutcracker. After You have passed the Lange Filz walk back to the St. Georges Chapel via the villages Westried and Moosrain. The total length of the circular route is 12 km. On the way back You will get impressing views over the area. If You are only for birdwatching in the area, I would suggest only to birdwatch along the first 3.5 km and take the same way back.
White-backed Woodpecker is observed annually. Look for this woodpecker along the way between B 2 and St. Georges Chapel.
Accomodation: