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Stinkerseen, Hölle, and Lettengrube

Burgenland  >  Austria

Along the 3 Stinkerseen, a closer look reveals a true mosaic of meadows, pastures, little forests, groups of bushes, disused/cultivated vineyards & wetlands.

Added* by Benjamin Knes
Most recent update 22 September 2021

Description

Even when the northernmost saline lakes frequently fall dry in summer, the “Unterstinker” is well worth a visit because its water level is higher and means that a different array of species can be expected here.

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! The Lettengrube has a mud island near the hide, where Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, and other waterbirds appear more than happy to pose for nature photographers. The tree frogs on the observation platform and the Eurasian Moorhen and Eurasian Coot chicks beneath it are always sure to draw “Aaahs” and “Ohhhs” from the visitors.

The “Oberstinker” is a reliable place to see Avocet, Red-crested Pochard, Northern Shoveler, and Common Gull – in fact it is probably the most reliable place in this area to see the latter two species. The southern shore can be viewed well from the observation tower. 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.

A little later one reaches the northern shore of the Unterer Stinkersee with its many reed passerines. Where the dirt roadmeets the “Lackenradweg” bike path, one is granted a first unobstructed view of the northern part of this lake. Due to the deeper water compared to many of the other lakes, one doesn’t just find dabbling ducks and Eurasian Coot here, but also diving ducks such as Common Pochard and Red-crested Pochard. It is worth keeping an eye open for neckbands on the Mute Swan that are common here. A number of purple mullein (Verbascum phoeniceum) blossom in the meadows around the observation tower during the first ten days of May. The areas of shallow water in front of the tower are particularly attractive to waders. In spring, one can hear Common Nightingale, Golden Oriole, and Eurasian Hoopoe from the west, and can observe Common Buzzard displaying. At the southernmost point of the route, one has a great view of the southern part of the Unterer Stinkersee, which is separated from the rest of the lake at low water levels. A great diversity and abundance of birds can be expected here, provided water levels are high enough: Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Black-winged Stiltand Avocet breed here, while a number of ducks and waders come here to forage for food. Back on the western shore of the “Unterstinker”, turn west for a chance to scan the large paddock for waterbirds. The route continues north between the diverse lakeshore area and the western shore of the “Oberstinker”, back to the starting point.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Grassland , Scattered trees and bushes , Steppe , Lake

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Summer

Route

Wide path , Unpaved road , Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

There are a number of explanations for the origin of the name “Hölle” (“hell”), which refers to the area between the Oberer Stinkersee in the south, Obere Hölllacke in the north, and Untere Hölllacke in the east. The most plausible is that the Middle High German term “Helja” once referred to the most distant cultivated plots from any village. The “Stinkerseen” (“stinking lakes”) themselves are not the cause of the sulphurous odour that is sometimes perceived in the “Hölle” (depending on the weather). Rather, it is caused by artesian springs around the lakes effusing sulphurous groundwater into the landscape.

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