Sandeck and Wasserstätten

Burgenland > Austria

The former border watchtower in the Sandeck offers a breathtaking view of mosaics of reeds, pools and channels. A further attraction are the white donkeys.

Added* by Benjamin Knes
Most recent update 16 September 2021

Description

The starting point is the western end of Schrändlgasse. From here, the route leads about 200 m to the south. At a stable, turn right onto a very long, straight path. The former border watchtower can already be seen in the distance as an orientation point. Look out for Crested Lark at the beginning of this path. The route continues through an expansive meadow area, where Eurasian Curlew, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Kestrel, and Eurasian Skylark have their breeding territories. Rook and Common Starling often forage in these meadows in large flocks.

After almost a kilometre, the ground starts to become wetter and wetter, and the area known as the Wasserstätten begins on the eastern side of the path. A wide variety of ducks and herons frequent the northern part of the area at high water levels, and Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, and Great Reed Warbler should also easily be heard here.

The southern part of the Wasserstätten, which is also the western end of the Graurinderkoppel, is much more open and expansive, and is a great place for waders such as Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff and Spotted Redshank. Common Teal and Northern Shoveler are mostly abundant here, as are sandpipers at low water levels, while Eurasian Spoonbill often forage here in quite large groups. Due to the large observation distances, it definitely pays to carry a spotting scope on this route. If possible, be on site a little before sunrise, otherwise heat shimmer and backlight can quickly make observing conditions difficult.

The route until the observation tower in the Sandeck is a beautiful mosaic of partially disused vineyards, meadows, single trees, and bushes. European Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Common Nightingale, Barred Warbler, European Goldfinch and Eurasian Tree Sparrow are just some of the species of these habitats. The little patch of forest in the Sandeck also provides habitat for Golden Oriole and Eurasian Hoopoe as well as a mixed colony of Rook and Jackdaw. Disused Magpie nests are regularly used by Long-eared Owl, while the white donkeys’ stable is often shared with Barn Owl – which is indicated by the black, glistening pellets on the ground. The wide expanse of the lakeshore zone is inhabited by many different waterbirds and is occasionally used as hunting grounds by White-tailed Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. From the tower, the reed belt of the nature reserve zone can be scanned for flying herons, Pygmy Cormorant, and Western Marsh Harrier. Ferruginous Duck and other swimming waterbirds are often spotted in the channels between the reeds.

The path northwards along the lake dune is sandy at first (bicycles are best pushed!), but quickly transitions into a normal, slightly raised dirt road that leads through vineyards and a bush-strewn landscape. Chances of seeing Barred Warbler, which is fairly common here, are highest in mid-May. Eurasian Kestrel, Grey Partridge, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Whitethroat, and Red-backed Shrike are further species breeding along the lake dune.

The rest of the way to Seestraße, the route offers a good view of the lakeshore zone of Lake Neusiedl on the one side and the wet meadows around the Herrnsee on the other. Next, follow Seestraße towards Illmitz. At the signpost to the Biological Station Illmitz, turn the opposite direction – to the right – onto a dirt road that leads back to the starting point. The area between Kirchsee and Krautingsee can be a great place to observe meadow-breeding waders, particularly in wet springs.

Details

Access

The Sandeck is the southern-most end of the sandy lake dune stretching 25 km from Weiden am See to this point. The two access routes lead through the conservation zone of the National Park and are quite diverse, both ornithologically and regarding their landscape. Arid grassland, fallows, and small stands of bushes and trees alternate with vineyards (many of which have been disused in recent years), and wet meadows transition into expansive inundation zones and finally into the giant reed belt.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Steppe , Dunes , Reedbeds , Agriculture , Grassland , Scattered trees and bushes , Plain

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , Dry , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Summer , Spring

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

The two 16 m-high observation towers in the southern lake- shore area (Graurinderkoppel and Sandeck) were originally Hungarian border watchtowers which were transferred to their current sites after the fall of the Iron Curtain. The upper levels can only be accessed as part of National Park excursions.

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