We rarely get to see them and practically never hear them: bats. These nocturnal creatures communicate using ultrasound, which is in a frequency range that is inaudible to the human ear. This is now changing with the new bat park of the LBV (Landesbund für Vogel- und Naturschutz) in the Frühlingsanlagen an der Isar.
What’s the bat park all about?
Over 25 species of bat are native to Germany, around half of which can also be found in Munich. The bat park has now opened in the Frühlingsanlagen near the Wittelsbacherbrücke bridge, offering the animals a place to retreat. 50 bat boxes now hang in the trees here, where the bats can sleep undisturbed and raise their young. There is also a large year-round box.
The LBV has also planted a meadow with night-flowering plants in the park. These attract moths at night, making it an ideal hunting ground for bats. This is because they feed on insects, which is why they are also suffering from the city’s insect decline. The bats eat up to 1,000 insects at night, including mosquitoes.
Nature meets technology: how the calls of animals become audible
A pillar has been installed in the bat park that makes the ultrasonic calls of bats audible to humans. The Chaos Computer Club was responsible for the technical implementation. It is switched on for 90 minutes every evening and morning. If you can’t make it to the park in person, you can also listen to the calls twice a day from April to October via a live stream on the LBV website.
From 8 p.m. onwards, for example, the bats go hunting and can be observed in the park. It is also mating season. The animals’ mating calls can be heard over the sound system, which is reminiscent of birdsong.
The park is open all year round and can be visited free of charge. However, we recommend visiting in the evening at dusk. The second bat park in Bogenhausen will open in 2026.