Discover the secret life of the bilches in the Ebersberg Forest!

Discover the secret life of the bilches in the Ebersberg Forest!

In the Ebersberg Forest, an exhibition that sheds light on the secret life of the bilches is causing a stir. Under the title “The Secret Life of Bilche” the... Forest and Environment Museum celebrated the diversity of these small rodents. The traveling exhibition, which was launched by the district group of the Federal Nature Conservation Association in Bavaria, has been open to interested parties since June 14, 2025 and will be on display until October 26, 2025.

The exhibition surprises with a lot of information about the shy but not rare dormouse, dormouse, garden dormouse and tree dormouse. The dormouse in particular is under strict protection, while other bilches are increasingly threatened due to a decline in their habitats. With the help of the exhibition, the Federal Nature Conservation Association would like to draw attention to the importance of a diverse habitat and, above all, to bring children and families closer to the ecological diversity in the garden.

Fascinating insights and practical offers

Visitors can look forward to numerous interactive elements. A “track tunnel” makes it possible to identify Bilchen’s footprints. In addition, video recordings can be viewed directly from a dormouse nesting box. QR codes are installed to listen to the sounds of the different pictures. For the little ones there is a craft station and a quiz wheel that encourages them to get involved. This not only imparts knowledge, but also promotes creative cooperation.

Several events take place as part of an extensive accompanying program. Children and adults are warmly invited to guided tours, a lecture about the way of life of the garden dormouse and workshops where nesting boxes for the bilks can be built. These take place on various dates such as July 10th and July 20th.

Habitats and food diversity

The importance of orchards for the way of life of dormice is also discussed in the exhibition. These meadows not only offer an ideal habitat, but also essential food sources that the bilches need in spring and summer. In addition to nuts and berries, this also includes fresh leaves and flowers. NABU explains why the dormouse harmonizes so well with our local forests: “The dormouse’s habitat includes deciduous stands of beech and oak” and urgently needs places to retreat to recover.

Mayor Ulrich Proske, who presented the exhibition with Andrea Puhr from the museum and Regina Wegenmann from the Federal Nature Conservation Association, sees such initiatives as an important step in raising awareness of the local wildlife. Many bilches are still threatened in their existence and need our protection so that they remain part of our ecological heritage in the future.

For anyone who would like to delve deeper into the topic, further information is available on the museum's website www.museumwaldundumwelt.de. Come by and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of bilches!