From dusk to database: On May 15, 2026, NABU Plau am See invites all citizens to the big nightingale count. At 8:00 p.m., participants in the participatory citizen science event will meet at the Tourist Info in Plau to map singing nightingales together.
Come along, enjoy the virtuoso melancholy call of the nightingale together on a warm evening and record your observations on a recording card.
The background to the campaign is the desire to find out how the nightingale population in Plau am See has developed since the last complete count in 1995 (when 33 nightingales sang) and to enter the results into the nationwide ornitho.de database.
Everyone can take part, whether young or old, locals or guests - even dogs (on a lead) are welcome. The designated counting routes lead 14 small groups of 1-2 km each through the urban area of Plau am See, including Plötzenhöhe, Seelust, Appelburg, Heidenholz and Quetzin.
The schedule provides for a welcome, introduction, a short bird song training session, material distribution and a question and answer session at the Tourist Info in Plau at 20:00. At 21:00 the synchronous observations in the small groups will start. At around 10 p.m. there will be a return, handing in of materials and result cards, followed by an exchange and the conclusion of the hands-on activity.
Participation is free of charge. Registration is requested by May 13, 2026 at nabu-plau.de/nachtigall, but spontaneous participation is also possible. Please bring sturdy shoes, suitable clothing, a flashlight or headlamp and food/drink. More information can be found at nabu-plau.de/nachtigall. If you have any questions, please contact the organization team by e-mail at nachtigall@nabu-plau.de.
