Grand Circuit of Neusiedlersee and Donau – Austria and Hungary
Birds – Almost 300 species can be seen here in their natural environment: great bustard, white storks, black, Syrian and middle-spotted woodpeckers, great-crested, black-necked, horned grebes, bluethroats, icterine warblers, short-toed treecreepers, great reed warblers, Savi's warblers, blackcaps, wood warblers, nightingales, marsh warblers, nuthatches, robins, black redstarts, black-headed gulls, common and caspian terns, coots, spotted flycatchers, chiffchaffs, common kingfishers, bean, greater white-fronted and greyleg geese, wigeon, gadwall teal, garganey, common pochard, tufted duck, pheasants, grey partridges, lapwings, black-winged stilts, avocets, sandpipers, plovers, coots, moorhens, turtle doves, bearded tits, northern and hen harriers, kestrels, great grey shrikes, grey partridges, short-eared owls, lapwings, black-winged stilts, avocets, turtle doves, bearded tits...
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 kilometres of each other. The tour will also visit some of the charming villages that dot the 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. 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. The region, with sections in both Austria and Hungary, encompasses an area of around 750 km˛.
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 reassumed 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 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.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1.
Vienna and west coast - Vienna (Start at Kettenbrückengasse U4 station) to Jois, Windem am See, Breienbrunn, Purbach am Neuseidler See Donnerskirchen, Oggau, Eisenstadt, Rust, Mörbisch am See and Fertorakos – Each of these towns on the west side of the lake are charming with traditional cafes and gasthauses. Distances between the towns and villages are not very far and we will roam the marinas and coast line as we drive along the west side oft he lake. Overnight in Hungary near Fertorakos. Eisenstadt lies on the southern section of the Leitha Mountains. One of my favoutite places to see some birds is at the Esterhazy Estate. I often see blackcaps, serins and woodpeckers and nuthatches on the grounds.
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. Mörbisch am See is well-nown 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. We will take the boat from Morbisch to Fertorakos.
Fertorakos on the Hungarian part of the lake is an 800 year old village and is part of the Ferto - Hanság National Park. 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 Fertorákos there are two Roman villas and a 3rd century AD Mithras temple open to visitors. It offers horse wagons and electric carts o help explore the area in a calm and rlaxing manner.
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 Fertorákos, 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 Fertő 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. Spend the night near Fertorakos.
Day 2 - Day 3.
The day will start with more time exploring Fertorakos region and then we will set off along the southern coast of Lake Ferto (Neuseidlersee). This will be a relaxing drive through the Hungarian side of the park, stopping at convenient places to admire the reed beds and lake as we go ending near Fertoújlak. Fertoújlak (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 Fertoújlak, 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 medows, 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 Ferto 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. Spend the night near Fertod – At Fertod is a large Esterhazy Palace.
Day 4 - Day 5.
ansag / Waasen Park, Seewinkle, east coast and plains. Hansag / Waasen Park – This is a large plain in the extreme southeast of Austria bordering on Hungary. It is a partiularly good area to view great bustards, marsh and hen harriers. There are well-situated viewing platforms. The bridge at the southern edge of the area which passes over the canal separating the 2 countries, is reknown 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.
Warmsee, LangeLacke and Zicksee – These are inland lakes surrounded by plains. Warmsee is one of my favourite 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. They are all very flat lands which makes both walking and biking an pleasurable. Lange Lacke has popular viewing platforms.
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 centre for the park that can provide information on recent bird sightings. They are all very flat lands which makes both walking and biking an pleasurable.
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. We will spend 2 nights at a pension in one of these towns.
Day 6 - Day 7.
Donau Auen National Park – Wetlands area along the Danube stretching from Vienna to Bratislava in Slovakia. The Park - The 9,300 hectare Donau-Auen National Park preserves the last remaining major wetlands environment in Central Europe and the forests along the river are in a natural state. The Park extends from Vienna all the way to the mouth of the March River (also called Morava) on the border to Slovakia. Thirty-eight kilometres long, at its widest point the Danube measures only around 4 km; the wetlands are only found directly on the Danube. To the north of the national park are the broad plains of the Marchfeld. To the south, the boundary is formed by the breakline of the Vienna Basin. It is a natural habitat for numerous animals and plants, including some endangered and some extremely rare ones: more than 700 types plants, more than 30 types of mammals, 100 types of breeding birds, 8 reptile and 13 amphibian species, around 60 kinds of fish and thousands of invertebrates.
Walking, biking and boating tours allow one to visit the Danube wetlands. We wil visit the schlossORTH National Park Centre in the town Orth on the Danube. SchlossORTH National Park Centre - offers a wealth of information and experiences - multimedia exhibit "DonAUräume", lookout point, café, and shop, general information and booking services for tours. The open grounds of the Schlossinsel ("castle island") showcase the typical plants and animals of the wetlands. Heart of the park is an underwater observatory unique in all of Austria. The museum may be found in the second floor of schlossORTH. The fundamental idea behind museumORTH is the creation of a village photo album as a type of reference work for all generations and others interested in the area.
The spatial organisation obeys the principle of a visual information medium, a "3-D illustrated magazine", if you will. One highlight of the museumORTH is the magnificent, 420-year-old Renaissance portal made of wood. The diverse exhibits and themes featured here range from castle and settlement history, to life on the Danube, fisheries, beekeeping, the utilisation of wetlands and extend to portraits of famous people from the area. Opening hours: From 21 March to 30 September, daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. From 1 October to 1 November, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Petronell-Carnuntum – a tour of the ruins at this location can be done if there is time and interest.
Day 7.
Late afternoon – return to Vienna Kettenbrückengasse U4 station.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
This is maximum price - no hidden costs, no single supplement.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Austria
Hungary
Nature & Wildlife
Birdwatching
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