Classic Open Air without fireworks: Night crowd in need!

Classic Open Air without fireworks: Night crowd in need!

What happens if a nice concert meets a nature conservation dilemma? This question arises at the Classical Open Air of the Ludwigsburg Castle Festival, which is scheduled to take place on July 19. But the festive plans receive an unexpected damper, because the planned fireworks at the end was canceled by the Ludwigsburg district office. The reason for this is the protection of a rare bird species - the Nachticorax Nycticorax). This decision has a significant relevance not only for urban organizers, but also for conservationists, because Ludwigsburg houses the only occupied breeding ground of this kind in Baden-Württemberg.

As reported by the Pirsch, the Nachtreiher already breeded in 2023 on the Amorinsel in the castle lake of Monrepos. Since the birds' clutches have not yet been hatched, experts fear that the fireworks could pass the animals away from their nesting site. Earlier celebrations show that other fireworks of Nachtreiher shone from the area, which has led to a decline in sight.

The decision of the district office

The Ludwigsburg district office decided on the basis of a report by the higher nature conservation authority of the Stuttgart regional council to prohibit fireworks to protect the night crowd. Although the organizers had initially assumed that the breeding season of the night -series would be completed by the concert, the experts came to the conclusion that a small disorder could already have a significant impact on the existence. Various possible shooting places for the fireworks between 150 and 800 meters from the breeding site were considered, but it was concluded that none of these options would solve the problem of the disorder.

The Nachtreiher - our rare friend

The night series was considered frequent in Central Europe until the 19th century, but is now one of the rare bird species. Features such as the gray -black plumage, the striking red eyes and the white jewelry springs make it a special sight at the breeding season. With a height of 58 to 65 cm and a weight between 727 and 1,014 g, this twilight and nocturnal bird can be found, especially in damp habitats such as the floors and swampy areas. The nutrition primarily consists of small fish, insects and occasionally small -sea.

The ban on fireworks may be disappointing for some, but it is a necessary step to protect nature and its inhabitants. At a time when environmental protection is becoming increasingly important, Ludwigsburg shows that tradition and nature can go in hand - even if that occasionally means to forego fireworks.