Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park

characteristics: National Park Neusiedler See – Seewinkel was established in 1993. Bordering National Park Fertő-Hanság in Hungary was established in 1991. Protected area today covers approximately 300 km². This national park is the first transboundary national park in Austria that was approved also by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Thanks to the protection this two national parks provide, birds are less shy and more familiar with the human presence. Furthermore many observation towers and hides make easier to watch them.

In April Pannonian BirdExperience, a central European bird fair, is taking place in the information center of NP Neusiedler See – Seewinkel in Illmitz village. It is an event for all amateur and professional bird watchers and lovers. The fair offers lectures, excursions, presentations of NGOs, local organizations of nature protection, travel agencies, accommodation and other leisure facilities, exhibition and demonstration stands of various birdwatcher equipment (scopes, cameras, clothing) and much more.

highlights of this area: vast reed stands, periodically drying salt lakes, wet meadows

other highlights (possible to include in to the trip itinerary): information center of Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park, Eszterházy palace in Fertőd

protected areas visited: IBA and the National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel (Nationalpark Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel) in Austria and National Park Fertő-Hanság (Fertö-Hanság Nemzeti Park) in Hungary

target species: Greylag Goose (Anser anser), Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), Ferrugineous Duck (Aythya nyroca), Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), Western Great Egret (Egretta alba), Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), crakes (Porzana spp.), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula), Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Curlew (Numenius arquata), Tringa spp., Ruff (Philomachus pugnax), Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus), Hoopoe (Upupa epops), Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus), Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus)

other species: European Ground Squirrel/European Souslik (Citellus cittelus), European Rabbitt (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Przewalski´s horse, local breeds of domestic animals – white donkey and hairy pig mangalica

Checklist of birds of Neusiedler See area

Trip length: 1 day or 2 day

Terrain difficulty: all terrains during this trip are easy walking, the area around the Neusiedler See Lake is flat

Accommodation: family guesthouse

Departure from Bratislava at 8:00 am, transfer to Austria (approx. 1 hour), birdwatching at the lakeside, visit of the information center; transfer to individual sites in the NP Neusiedler See – Seewinkel, according to the actual presence of birds – area offers good choice of hides and observation tower next to the saline lakes, reed stands, wet meadows; in case of 2 day trip we will visit also sites on Hungarian side of the Neusiedler See Lake and more remote sites in the region, arrival to Bratislava around 8:00 pm

Starting and final point: Bratislava. Possibility to get an extra paid transfer from Vienna or airport Vienna (Schwechat).

Recommended term: March – September

Prices for guiding in English for 1 person:

If you are interested in this trip, please don’t hesitate to contact us, either by email to info@watching.sk or give us a call at +421 903 751 330. We can then discuss the date that suits your needs the best.