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Sandeck and Wasserstätten

Burgenland  >  Austria

The former border watchtower in the Sandeck offers a breathtaking view of mosaics of reeds, pools and channels. A further attraction are the white donkeys.

Aggiunto* da Benjamin Knes
Ultimo aggiornamento 16 settembre 2021

Descrizione

The starting point is the western end of Schrändlgasse. From here, the route leads about 200 m to the south. At a stable, turn right onto a very long, straight path. The former border watchtower can already be seen in the distance as an orientation point. Look out for Cappellaccia at the beginning of this path. The route continues through an expansive meadow area, where Chiurlo maggiore, Pavoncella, Gheppio, and Allodola have their breeding territories. Corvo comune and Storno often forage in these meadows in large flocks.

After almost a kilometre, the ground starts to become wetter and wetter, and the area known as the Wasserstätten begins on the eastern side of the path. A wide variety of ducks and herons frequent the northern part of the area at high water levels, and Migliarino di palude, Forapaglie comune, and Cannareccione should also easily be heard here.

The southern part of the Wasserstätten, which is also the western end of the Graurinderkoppel, is much more open and expansive, and is a great place for waders such as Avocetta, Cavaliere d'Italia, Pittima reale, Combattente and Totano moro. Alzavola and Mestolone are mostly abundant here, as are sandpipers at low water levels, while Spatola often forage here in quite large groups. Due to the large observation distances, it definitely pays to carry a spotting scope on this route. If possible, be on site a little before sunrise, otherwise heat shimmer and backlight can quickly make observing conditions difficult.

The route until the observation tower in the Sandeck is a beautiful mosaic of partially disused vineyards, meadows, single trees, and bushes. Tortora selvatica, Cuculo, Usignolo, Bigia padovana, Cardellino and Passera mattugia are just some of the species of these habitats. The little patch of forest in the Sandeck also provides habitat for Rigogolo and Upupa as well as a mixed colony of Corvo comune and Taccola. Disused Gazza nests are regularly used by Gufo comune, while the white donkeys’ stable is often shared with Barbagianni – which is indicated by the black, glistening pellets on the ground. The wide expanse of the lakeshore zone is inhabited by many different waterbirds and is occasionally used as hunting grounds by Aquila di mare and Falco pellegrino. From the tower, the reed belt of the nature reserve zone can be scanned for flying herons, Marangone minore, and Falco di palude. Moretta tabaccata and other swimming waterbirds are often spotted in the channels between the reeds.

The path northwards along the lake dune is sandy at first (bicycles are best pushed!), but quickly transitions into a normal, slightly raised dirt road that leads through vineyards and a bush-strewn landscape. Chances of seeing Bigia padovana, which is fairly common here, are highest in mid-May. Gheppio, Starna, Upupa, Sterpazzola, and Averla piccola are further species breeding along the lake dune.

The rest of the way to Seestraße, the route offers a good view of the lakeshore zone of Lake Neusiedl on the one side and the wet meadows around the Herrnsee on the other. Next, follow Seestraße towards Illmitz. At the signpost to the Biological Station Illmitz, turn the opposite direction – to the right – onto a dirt road that leads back to the starting point. The area between Kirchsee and Krautingsee can be a great place to observe meadow-breeding waders, particularly in wet springs.

Dettagli

Accesso

The Sandeck is the southern-most end of the sandy lake dune stretching 25 km from Weiden am See to this point. The two access routes lead through the conservation zone of the National Park and are quite diverse, both ornithologically and regarding their landscape. Arid grassland, fallows, and small stands of bushes and trees alternate with vineyards (many of which have been disused in recent years), and wet meadows transition into expansive inundation zones and finally into the giant reed belt.

Terreno e habitat

Zona umida , Steppa , Dune , Canneti , Terreni coltivati , Prateria/pascolo , Alberi e cespugli sparsi , Pianura

Caratteristiche dell’area

Terreno piano , Sabbioso , Asciutto , Paesaggio aperto

Percorso ad anello

Si

È utile un cannocchiale?

Può essere utile

Buona stagione per il BW

Tutto l'anno

Miglior periodo per visitare

Estate , Primavera

Percorso

Strada sterrata , Sentiero ampio

Grado di difficoltà del percorso a piedi

Facile

Modalità di accesso

A piedi , Bicicletta

Capanno/torretta di osservazione

Si

Informazioni aggiuntive

The two 16 m-high observation towers in the southern lake- shore area (Graurinderkoppel and Sandeck) were originally Hungarian border watchtowers which were transferred to their current sites after the fall of the Iron Curtain. The upper levels can only be accessed as part of National Park excursions.

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