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Geras Fish Ponds

Niederösterreich / Lower Austria  >  Austria

Around the city of Geras, more then ten fish ponds of different sizes can be found within a highly diverse landscape of forest, gardens and open country.

Ajouté* par Johannes Hohenegger
Dernière actualisation 4 décembre 2022

Description

The city of Geras is traversed by a small stream which has been dammed multiple times for the construction of fish ponds. The old ponds are in different states of silting up and therefore provide diverse habitat for water-bound species. Besides a huge variety of migrants, the site features also a very diverse breeding bird community. Mature reed belts, open water, muddy flats, meadow orchards, wet pastures, nearly natural, old grown gardens and mixed forests support a number of species which can hardly be found elsewhere on such a limited space. Interesting breeding birds which can be observed more regularly are: Blongios nain, Cigogne blanche, Bondrée apivore, Pygargue à queue blanche, Busard des roseaux, Tourterelle des bois, Pic cendré, Locustelle tachetée and Locustelle fluviatile.

Apart from the breeding birds many different species of passage migrants can be observed, but that's highly dependent on the current environmental conditions. Especially when the water levels are low, a great number of waders can rest along the muddy banks. "Rarities" already detected are: Harle huppé, Butor étoilé, Bihoreau gris, Aigrette garzette, Huîtrier pie, Bécassine sourde and Bergeronnette citrine.

From 2011 to 2022, at least 180 bird species could be observed in the municipality of Geras, most of them at or near the fish ponds. Nevertheless, the surrounding landscape also deserves a visit. As many other locations in "Waldviertel", the area is quite underbirded and therefore can provide suprises.

Détails

Accès

Access is most easy by car but also possible by public transport and bike (a "bigger" train station is approx. 8 km away). The "Langer Teich", the biggest pond, is a 20 min walk from the city center along a busy street so direct access by bike or car is recommended. The car can be parked at the junction from the main road. The dam holds a public dirt road but all other sides of the pond are private. Birding is possible from the dam itself but a scope is necessary. The southern bank however can be accessed by a footway, but an entry ticket for the local wildlife park is necessary. The smaller ponds at the "Stift Geras", an interesting monastery, are surrounded by public streets, so access is easy but disturbance is high. The ponds east of the city should be checked by scope from the public roads (see map). The direct access track is very difficult and on private land. For waterbird watching, evening is preferable over morning as the sun stands in your back at some locations.

The agricultural land around the city holds many dirt roads in good conditions and can be explored by foot, bike or car. The forests west of the city are private but can be entered BY FOOT for recreational purposes. There is a dense net of forestry tracks so you should stick to them in order to not disturb any wildlife.

Parking is no problem in most locations, but if you leave your car alone, make sure it is parked in a proper space. If you want to explore the area by foot, the parking lots at the monastery and at the entrance of the wildlife park are a good option.

Terrain et Habitat

Forêt , Zone humide , Plaine , Vasières , Agriculture , Ville/village , Roselière , Prairie , Arbres et buissons disséminés

Conditions

Plat , Vallonné , Paysage ouvert , Marécageux

Boucle

Oui

Avez-vous besoin d'une longue-vue?

Peut être utile

Saison idéale pour observer

Toute l'année

Meilleure période pour une visite

Migration printanière

Itinéraire

Route pavée , Route non pavée , Sentier large

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Durée de la marche

Accessible via

A pied , Vélo , Voiture

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Oui

Informations supplémentaires

Latest sightings can be seen on www.ornitho.at, which is also recommended for submitting your personal sightings.

Voir les sites d'observation voisins publiés sur Birdingplaces

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