Tour C Eastside – National Park Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel, Ferto-Hansag National Park and the Hansag / Waasam Park - Nowhere else in Europe can one find 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 the Fertoujlak in the Ferto-Hansag National Park in 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. The park area is Ramsar designated and is one of the most significant areas in the world for birds.
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.
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 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.
Towns and villages around the lake – Some of the following towns and communities below offers horse wagons and bicycles to help explore the area in a calm and relaxing manner. They are all very flat lands which makes both walking and Biking an pleasurable.
Fertoujlak (Mekszikopuszta and Bösarkany) on the Hungarian part of the lake is a village that is part of the Ferto Hanság National Park. Since 1956 the water level is controlled by the Austro-Hungarian water commission with a dam / sluice near Fertoujlak, 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.
The southeast and eastern shores of the lakes are surrounded by a wide strip of wet meadows, marshes, saline pasture lands and smaller saline lakes. Typical plants are the camphor, the wild chamomile, or the native salt-tolerant Michaelmas-daisy, sea blite, salt-marsh and the Fert; puccinellia. The highly protected little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius), avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), the redshank (Tringa totanus) and the black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) nest in thse areas. Bird colonies with a thousand of birds such as black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus), common terns (Sterna hirundo), tufted ducks (Aythya fulingula) are found on the bird islands of the lakes. The entire area is an important resting place during the spring and autumn migration of birds, when thousands of birds are twittering in the pools around and in the Lake Ferto.There are 2 fine viewing platforms in the area with spectacular sights of the inlets which are often covered with different types of water birds and wadrers.
Hansag / Waasen Park – This is a large plain in the extreme southeast of Austria bordering on Hungary. It is a particularly good area to view great bustards, marsh and gen harriers. There are three viewing platforms to allow good views.
The bridge at Andau which passes over the canal separating the 2 countries, is renown for the thousands of Hungarians who fled during the 1958. Now that the border is open, it is a fine place for a pleasant walk to see woodland species.
Illmitz – This small town borders on the National Park Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel with a good viewing platform overlooking a large swampy lake. There are usually a number of ducks and waders in the area. The road cuts through the park to the resort area on the lake and passes through fields and marshes. Large flocks of greylag geese inhabit the fields in the area. Illmitz itself is a traditional Austria town with a collection of Gasthauses, cafes, restaurants, pensions. Just outside the town is the information center for the park that can provide information on recent bird sightings.
Warmsee, LangeLacke and Zicksee – These are inland lakes surrounded by plains. Warmsee is one of my favorite spots for birding. It is surrounded by a road with several nice spots to view waders. Grey partride and shrikes are also frequent the area. One year in early March, several young short-eared owls were in the area. In winter large flocks of white-fronted geese enjoy the fields in the area.
Frauenkirchen, Apelton, Pamhagen, Tadten and St Andra are all small villages on the plain areas, surrounded by nice farms. We will pass through most of these, stopping for a coffee, tea or lunch depending on the time of day. Frauenkirchen is the economic center of the Seewinkel region, a small vibrant town with rural character. Its pedestrian zone is among the Burgeland´s most popular meeting places. Since ancient times, the religious center of the Seewinkel area is the Baroque basilica "Maria auf der Heide" with the Franciscan monastery.
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 chauffeur, 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 and boats 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.
Note: 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.
Cost drops to EUR 750 when combined with another tour - West side, Donau Auen Park, Schneeberg, Vienna for Birdwatchers.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Austria
Nature & Wildlife
Birdwatching
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