Oberer Stinkersee

Burgenland > Austria

The three “stinking lakes” – Oberer, Mittlerer, and Unterer Stinkersee – and their shore zones and surroundings are great places to watch birds.

Added* by Benjamin Knes
Most recent update 19 March 2020

Description

The “Unterstinker” is well worth a visit even in the most dry time of the year because its water level is higher and means that a different array of species can be expected here.

The “Oberstinker” is a good place to see Avocet, Red-crested Pochard, Northern Shoveler, and Common Gull. The southern shore can be viewed well from two observation towers. This shore is a traditional resting place for various gulls that can sometimes be joined by Caspian Tern on migration. The Mittlerer Stinkersee is usually a little less rewarding, but Avocet and Common Shelduck as well as Garganey and Northern Shoveler are regularly observed here as well. The dirt road continues past vineyards and over a slight rise. After about 400 m, a small colony of blue iris (Iris spuria) blossoms at the end of May. Other species regularly seen in this area are: Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Nightingale, Golden Oriole and Bluethroat.

Details

Access

The starting point is a little patch of forest on the north-western shore of the “Oberstinker”, where many passerines rest between mid-April and mid-May. Eurasian Hoopoe, Spotted Flycatcher, Icterine Warbler and Common Nightingale can regularly be heard here in spring. Following the paved road to the south-east, one reaches a wheelchair-accessible observation platform , which is a great place to scan for waterbirds on the Oberer Stinkersee to the west as well as the Lettengrube to the east. The list of waders recorded here is very long!

You have the opportunity to explore four sodaponds (Oberer Stinkersee, Mittlerer Stinkersee, Unterer Stinkersee, Janischlacke) and the East coast of Lake Neusiedl (Heiligenkreuzer Koppel, Mittlere Seekoppel).

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Plain , Steppe , Scattered trees and bushes , Mud flats , Grassland

Conditions

Flat , Dry , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn , Summer

Best time to visit

Summer , Spring migration , Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

Parking is allowed on the north end of the Oberer Stinkersee at a small forest patch (See the P on the map). You can drive on the paved road - access to the gravel roads is just allowed with bike or by walk.