Description
East of Vienna begins the Danube Floodplains National Park, which stretches all the way to the Czech border. Even its northernmost tip - still reminiscent of a city park - is well worth a visit, especially in spring. Over 175 species have already been recorded in the area described here.
The area is dominated by dense riparian forest, mainly of deciduous trees such as birch, with abundant deadwood. As a result, it is a paradise for woodpeckers: there are excellent year-round chances to observe strakapoud prostřední and datel černý. strakapoud jižní and žluna šedá have also been seen, and there is one record of strakapoud bělohřbetý.
In the middle of the forest lies the Dechantlacke (1). Its shallow edges are suitable for photography, though the waterbody lacks a shoreline, so ducks and geese - apart from the kachna divoká - are rarely found here. However, the freestanding trees offer especially good opportunities to observe woodpeckers. Note that this is a natural bathing area where naturism is common during the warmer months.
More promising for birdwatching is the Mühlwasser or Tischwasser (2), fringed on its southwestern side by a narrow reed belt. At the Josefsteg, the water merges into a wide reedbed crossed by the footbridge. moudivláček lužní, ledňáček říční, kukačka obecná, and slavík obecný breed here, and there are good chances of seeing cvrčilka slavíková, rákosník proužkovaný, and rákosník velký. There are also three records of the very rare rákosník tamaryškový (two from July and one from September).
Following the path north leads to some dry meadows dotted with shrubs and lined with old trees (3)—ideal conditions for species such as pěnice hnědokřídlá, lejsek bělokrký, and ostříž lesní.
Several rarities have also been noted in the area: in 2014, a volavka vlasatá stayed here, and in winter, polák kaholka, slučka malá, and brkoslav severní have been recorded.
Details
Access
The Lobau - Northern part-area is easily accessible, crossed by many gravel roads, cycling routes, and footpaths. Cyclists can be quite fast, and it should be noted that the Lobau is traditionally popular among naturists, especially in summer. The circular route shown on the map is about 4 km.


