Tour B Westside – National Park Lake Neusiedl and Leitha Mountains - Nowhere else in Europe can one find near-natural mixed woodland growing on lime sandstone, dry grassland with Mediterranean vegetation, untouched marshes, large expanses of reeds, a pristine river delta and a steppe lake, all within a few kilometers of each other. The tour will also visit some of the charming villages that dot the west coast of the lake in both Austria and Hungary.
The biodiversity of the National Park Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel makes it one of the most significant bird sanctuaries in Europe. The open landscape of the Seewinkel area, an extensive network of paths, and the well-suited infrastructure in the national park offer the visitor an incomparable wildlife experience. Most of the lake is surrounded by reeds which serve as a habitat for wildlife making the lake an important resting place for migratory birds. Water quality is determined by temperature, wind, and by the amount of salt and mud emanating with the ground water from the sediments. Almost 300 bird species can be seen here in their natural environment.
Lake Neusiedl is the largest steppe lake in Central Europe. It lies in the east of Austria and southwest Hungary. From north to south, the lake is about 36 km long, and it is between 6 km and 12 km wide from east to west. On average, the lake's surface is 115m above the Adriatic Sea and the lake is no more than 1.8 m deep. To the west of the Lake lies the Leitha Mountain Ranges with the town of Eisenstadt on the south corner. The Mountains offer the opportunity to see bird species who prefer wooded areas in higher altitudes. The region, with sections in both Austria and Hungary, encompasses an area of around 750 km².
This entire region around the steppe lake, with over the lake bed has totally dried up at least 100 times since its formation about 16,000 BC. During recent history the lake's complete disappearance has been documented in considerable detail on several occasions, e.g. in 1740–1742, 1811–1813, and most recently in 1866, when the private diary of a local, Gottlieb Wenzel, noted that he crossed the bed of the lake on June 4 without soiling his boots. Parts of the lake bed were claimed for agriculture; wheat and turnips were being planted. However, in 1871 the lake began to return and by the spring of 1876 it had already reassured its usual size. During the summer of 1949 the northern part of the lake dried up for a few weeks. The drying-up of the seabed causes major environmental disruptions because of the lack of the humidifying and temperature buffering impact of the large water body. Winds can also carry large amounts of salty dust into the surrounding villages.
Since 1956 the water level is controlled by the Austro-Hungarian water commission with a dam / sluice near Fertújlak, Hungary. Minor fluctuations of the lake's level continue to occur. In 1965 the lake gained 100 million cubic meters of water within a single month, raising its level by 35 cm. The water level decreased 30 cm as a result of a drought of 2003. These events are within the normal range, and because of the shallowness of the seabed can be heavily influenced by the effects of wind pressure, which can temporarily change the water level by as much as 75 cm.
Towns and villages around the lake - Traces of human settlement around Lake Neusiedl go back to the neolithic period. The area became densely populated from the 7th century BC onward, initially by people of the Hallstatt culture and remained so throughout Roman times. In 454 Theodoric the Great, the preeminent king of the Ostrogoths, was born here. Near Fertorakos there are two Roman villas and a 3rd century AD Mithras temple open to visitors.
Fertorakos on the Hungarian part of the lake is an 800 year old village and is part of the Ferto Hanság National Park. It offers horse wagons and electric carts o help explore the area in a calm and relaxing manner. Nearby is a Limestone Quarry.
The sea was here millions of years ago. Billions of snails, seashells and small lime-bodied animals formed the Lajta-limestone. The limestone is no longer quarried. A great many houses have been built using this type of limestone. Irregularly formed large halls resembling Egyptian temples and big pillars supporting the limestone ceiling captivate visitors. Unforgettable boat trips can be taken from the beach resort, beside Fertrákos, to the inner lakes. This habitat is constituted by reeds, bulrush and sedge. Bladderwort, the rigid- and soft hornwort, fennel-leaved pondweed imported to the area by birds and club-rush can be found on the surfaces of the open water. Water fleas, water-bugs, spiders, cicadas, day flies, dragon-flies and owlet-moths circle around in the reed beds. Fish species in the lake include the European mud-minnow, the weather-fish, the Fert; carp, the pelecus and the pike-perch and the tench. The great white heron, the spoon bill (Platalea leucorodia), the bittern (Botaurus), the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), various duck species, the common heron and the purple heron, the greyleg goose, the great reed-warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and several species of the warblers live in the vast reeds.
Mörbisch am See is well-known for its vineyards and the quality of the local wines, and local brands have won many national and international awards. It lies in a rich setting of vineyards famed for the Burgenlander grape. If available, try the Blaufränkisch, a red wine mostly consumed by the locals and visiting Viennese who flock to the area. Morbisch is very near the Hugarian border and time permitting we will walk over the bridge (cars forbidden) to have our first peak at the Hungarian side of the Park.
Rust is a well known town and tourist resort with excellent facilities. It has many well preserved burghers' houses of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The antiquated but charming town center is well preserved and clean. Its walls were built in 1614 for protection against the Turks. Rust is famous for its stork nests, which are perched on chimneys throughout the town. Because the stork population fluctuates greatly the town of Rust has developed a stork protection program in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund, with the aim of again providing optimum living conditions for the birds. From Rust a 1km/0.75mi long causeway leads through the reeds to the resort area with a marina and restaurant. The little lakeshore resort has a friendly atmosphere, especially on weekends. Summers are often hot, and the lake water is surprisingly tepid. Sailboats and windsurfers can be rented on the banks of the shallow Neusiedler See.
Eisenstadt lies on the southern section of the Leitha Mountains. One of my favourite places to see some birds is at the Esterhazy Estate. I often see blackcaps, serins and woodpeckers and nuthatches on the grounds.
Oggau, Donnerskirchen, Purbach am Neuseidler See, Breienbrunn Windem am See and Jois – Each of these towns on the northwest side of the lake are charming with traditional cafes and gasthauses. Distances between the towns and villages are not very far and we will spend as much time roaming the marinas and water front areas as the day goes on. The Leitha Mountains lie to the west and make a nice side trip to see some woodland species who live in the higher altitudes.
Mission of M19040 - To provide low stress bird watching tours in Eastern Austria to English speaking birdwatchers for pleasure.
What M19040 Offers:
English – My native language is English with reasonable French and lousy German – I only know the names of birds in English - not French, German or Latin.
Logistics – Clean and nice, but not fancy accomodation, meals, tea and coffee in traditional Austrian locations. M19040 finds, books and pays these costs including tips. ABW supplies transportation including all costs. When there is a independent chaufeur, participants may wish to tip extra.
Equipment – M19040 always has an extra pair of binoculars, a spare rain coat, umbrella and warm sweater. There will be a spotting scope with tripod available. The field guides are in English can be shared. Please bring these items if you already have them.
Personal supplies – For the last few years, it has become increasing difficult to carry some basic items in your hand luggage. A small kit will be provided with a nail file, multi-purpose tool (we call them pocketknives in Canada) for clippers, scissors, screwdrivers, twissors, can opener, bottle opener, knife and corkscrew, shampoo, hand lotion, kleenex, shaving cream and razor.
Small groups – No group will ever be larger than 6 participants plus a guide and chauffeur. During March 2009 the group size is limited to 3 people as the tours are being flushed out and quite simply, everything is easier with small groups.
Free time – There will be chances to get out and stretch your legs on your own. When possible accomodation will be near to nature, other cafes and restaurants so you can go out for the evening or take an early morning walks to do some BW at the crack of dawn.
Special trips – In some of the park areas motorized vehicles are not allowed. When possible M19040 will book some unique travel. Horse and wagons, boats and electric golf carts will be arranged to make the visits more relaxing near Neuseidlersee. If you ride a bicycle – tell us and we can rent you a two wheeler for some time. Many of the bike paths are flat and paved making biking easy and ideal.
Flexibility – The tours are described in 2 night / 3 days packages –any 2 packages can be combined into a 4 night / 5 day package.
Notes: March 2009 - During March 2009 the group size is limited to 3 people as the tours are being flushed out and quite simply, everything is easier with small groups. It may be a bit early and cool.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Pricing – All 2 night / 3 days packages are €900 each; Combinations of 4 night / 5 day package are €1,500 each. There is no extra single supplement fee.
Price is EUR 750 if more than one tour is taken. Can be combined with Schneeberg, Donau Auen Park, Vienna for birdwatchers and East side of Neuseidlersee Tour.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Austria
Nature & Wildlife
Birdwatching
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
