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Seedamm and Przewalski- Pferdekoppel

Burgenland  >  Austria

A diverse mosaic landscape & an abundance of insects, rare plants, and birds await those opting for this long but idyllic route.

Added* by Benjamin Knes
Most recent update 28 May 2023

Description

The surroundings of the Biological Station are a good place to see Syrian Woodpecker and European Turtle Dove as well as Long-eared Owl, which breeds in old crows’ nests there. In spring, the short trail along the windbreak to the Albersee offers good chances to hear Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Common Cuckoo, Common Nightingale, Barred Warbler, Golden Oriole, and Penduline Tit. In wet years, the Albersee has good breeding populations of Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover and Common Shelduck. From here on, the trail is sandy and very difficult to ride by bicycle. The following kilometres are characterised by a stark contrast between extremely arid habitat and the wet lakeshore zone. Insect-rich and brightly blossoming sand dunes are interspersed with little patches of wooded shrubland, disused vineyards, wet and marsh-like meadows, bare “zick”-areas (from the Hungarian “szik”, for “soda”), and old windbreaks. As well as the species mentioned earlier, Eurasian Kestrel, European Turtle Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Syrian Woodpecker, Blackcap, Red-backed Shrike, and Eurasian Skylark feel at home here. Some Greater Whitethroat and European Stonechat – particularly in the northern part of the area – complement the array of species. The lakeshore zone is inhabited by reed-dwelling warblers and Reed Bunting. The larger species such as Great Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Great Bittern, Eurasian Spoonbill, Great Cormorant, Pygmy Cormorant and Western Marsh Harrier are mostly only seen in flight.

Between May and October, visitors may encounter a herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle that are grazing on the pasture areas along the lake dune for landscape management purposes. At the level of the Unterer Stinkersee, the trail leads into a little forest about 800 m long and 100 m wide – the Illmitzer Gemeindewald. Eurasian Hoopoe, Syrian Woodpecker, European Turtle Dove, Common Nightingale, Icterine Warbler, Barred Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, European Goldfinch , and Greenfinch can be seen here, among others. During migra- tion, little patches of forest such as this one are good resting places for flycatchers and various other passerines, including Common Redstart. The last part of the route leads through more scrub landscape between the lakeshore zone and vineyards. At the northern end of the route, one reaches the former stable of the Przewalski’s horses that grazed the lakeshore zone to the south for many years (the so-called “Przewalski-Koppel” or “Przewalski’s paddock”). Near the stable, the vegetation is still pushed back by the horses’ trampling and grazing, which has provided waterbirds with a little hotspot. Conditions are perfect here for a number of ducks, herons, waders, and gulls. On the short stretch of road to the Unterer Stinkersee (Lackenradweg), the smaller of the two buildings has a tap with drinking water!

Details

Access

This somewhat remote but scenically appealing route along part of the 25 km-long lake dune (“Seedamm” in German) calls for some important information upfront. Bicycles are not recommended because the ground often consists of deep sand. Measuring 4 km (one way!), the route is quite long and is therefore only recommended in full length if sufficient time is available. As an alternative, one can take a shortcut through the southern part of the Illmitzer Gemeindewald, or one just walks part of the way and then back again. But once one has decided on this idyllic route, a diverse mosaic of landscape elements and an abundance of insect species, rare plants, and interesting birds awaits.

Terrain and Habitat

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

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , Dry , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Summer

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

Przewalski’s horses (Mongolian “Takhi”) It was only in 1879 that scientists became aware of these wild horses at the edge of the Gobi Desert. Just a hundred years later, they had died out in the wild due to hunting and expanding pasture farming. Thanks to the efforts of a number of zoos, the Przewalski’s horse was able to survive in captivity. Because many of the horses were not faring well in captivity and were not breeding, an international breeding programme was initiated with the 13 remaining animals. The successful reintroduction of suitable animals to Mongolia began in 1992, and even two animals from this lakeshore herd were brought to the Gobi Desert in 2004. In 2017, almost 500 of the horses were once again living in their original habitat. Scientists discovered in 2018 that Przewalski’s horses may not be – as hitherto assumed – the last remaining wild horses, but may instead be feral descendants of horses domesticated thousands of years ago. In the same year, the National Park’s herd of Przewalski’s was moved from the “Przewalski-Koppel” to the “Warmblutkoppel” (warmblood paddock).

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