Description
The Donauinsel (Danube Island) is a long artificial island that divides the Danube in a flowing and a still part. Created as a protection against floods the area offers a variety of habitats on a lenght of 21 kilometers. In spring you can enjoy bird species that breed in bushes and small ponds with reed. In the early morning of May the slávik obyčajný sings out of the bushes all around the island. The island is generally a good spot for species that rely on half open landscapes e.g. kukučka obyčajná or strakoš obyčajný. Besides the spring the winter is a good time to spot waterfowl mostly on the New Danube.
You can find the best observation spots on the map.
In spring and early summer the small ponds and shallow shores are a good place for birds like trsteniarik bahenný, sliepočka vodná and trsteniarik veľký. In some ponds you can even find rarer species like kúdeľníčka lužná or bučiačik močiarny breeding.
In late December, January and Febuary the Danube and the New Danube are a good spot for watching water fowl that comes from the north of europe. Especially the very south of the island is a good spot for these species. Even species that are rare for Austria like potápač prostredný, potáplica malá, potápka ušatá, potápač malý, or chochlačka morská could be observed there almost every winter. If these species will also come there in the future due to the climate crisis remains unclear.
Details
Access
The Donauinsel is located in the middle of Vienna. You can walk from the city or take the U‑Bahn. Both U1 and U6 stop right on the island, so you step out of the train and you’re already on the long green ribbon between the Danube and the New Danube.
