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Description
In the flood year of 1996, the ring dyke protecting the grazed lakeshore area from floods was breached. Thousands of birds quickly discovered the new wetland as a foraging and breeding area, and hydraulic management of the area has since been adapted to suit the birds’ requirements. The easily accessed observation tower on the eastern shore of the Borsodi-dűlő is a particularly good spot to observe a wide variety of waterbirds. Raptors worth noting here are Havørn, Keiserørn, Musvåk, Sivhauk, Tårnfalk, Lerkefalk, and Aftenfalk, all of which breed in the area, while Myrhauk, Vandrefalk, Tartarfalk and Dvergfalk occur regularly in winter and autumn.
The evening arrival of thousands of wintering geese in long lines, the so-called “Gänsestrich” is a sight worth seeing, as is the increasing number of Trane resting here on migration. One must stay on the walkways in the whole area!
Details
Access
Though it is not even 7 km along a bike path from Apetlon, the majority of visitors reaches the area by car from the direction of Fertőd. There is also a bus line that stops at the route’s most important points. Time permitting, one should definitely stop at the Egret cottage on the northern edge of Sarród – the Hungarian National Park centre. Plenty of information material can be picked up in this architecturally striking building, which also houses a little shop and regular exhibitions, and is also the starting point for excursions into the National Park. After crossing the railway line, a large pasture area soon opens up to the west, which is best viewed from beside an information board about Keiserørn. Aside from this species, Enghauk and Aftenfalk can be seen here with a little luck, while one can safely rely on seeing Sanglerke, Svartstrupe, and Kornspurv. The shepherds’ museum in Lászlómajor keeps a number of traditional animal breeds, and also features information on the history of shepherding, fishing, and farming, and of the National Park in general. The windbreak to the north of the museum is home to a number of species, including Tårnfalk, Hornugle, Gulsanger, Stjertmeis, Tornsanger, Munk and Pirol, as well as (occasionally) Ravn. There is a good parking opportunity after the regulation weir for the Einser-Kanal, at which point the Borsodi-dűlő opens up ahead. Before going there, the route first heads back south across the weir and then west. The large stable building is private property and cannot be accessed! From a distance one can nevertheless see Tyrkerdue, Toppdykker, Linerle, Gråspurv and Pilfink breeding in and around the stable. The songs of Sivsanger, Trostesanger and Sivspurv can be heard along the Einser-Kanal, while Dvergrørdrum, Egretthegre and Purpurhegre are mostly seen when they take flight. The cattle pasture south of the canal is a breeding site for Vipe, Gulerle and Kornspurv, and Brushane can be seen here in large numbers in wet springs.
The route follows the path as far as the observation tower on the Nyéki-szállás, where a variety of herons, geese, ducks, waders, and terns can be seen at good water levels. A rather large colony of gulls breeds here in wet years. Activity can vary considerably here, because the area is not inundated every year, depending on water management. In dry years, the meadows to the south should be scanned for Storspove in spring, and geese and hunting Vandrefalk in winter. Back at the weir on the Einser-Kanal, the route now continues along the Borsodi-dűlő to the observation tower on its eastern shore. This is the best place to observe a wide variety of waterbirds. It certainly pays to bring a spotting scope for the more distant parts of this huge expanse of water. Vannrikse, Knekkand, Taffeland, Krikkand, Makrellterne, Avosett, and Stylteløper breed here alongside many other species, while a number of migrants and foraging guests can also be encountered here. The meadows around the tower are a popular place for Grågås to raise their young. In April and May, one should take a close look at the flocks of curlew. Up to 100 Småspove can be seen alongside approx. 150 Storspove at this time of year. Provided the area hasn’t frozen over or is completely covered in snow, between autumn and spring a number of nordic geese (including rare species!) frequent the area to sleep and drink. The geese’s return from their (often distant) foraging grounds at midday and in the evening – known locally as the “Gänsestrich” – can be seen especially well from here. A large autumn roosting site for migrating Trane has become established on the Borsodi-dűlő in recent years. The meadows and pastures leading up to the town of Fertőújlak are hunting grounds for Myrhauk, Vandrefalk, Varsler, and sometimes Tartarfalk in winter. At the bend in the road, one is just 200 m away from the “Sandeck – Neudegg” conservation zone on Austrian territory. The formerly large ground squirrel population on the higher-lying meadows north of the Borsodi-dűlő has unfortunately decreased significantly in recent years. Apart from the National Park information centre on the right hand side as one enters the little town, Fertőújlak also boasts abundant birdlife: breeding species include Tårnugle, Syriaspett, and Gråfluesnapper, to name but a few, while up to 50 Hornugle share communal roosts during the day in winter. The bike path leading from the eastern edge of town to the Austrian border offers good vantage points from which to scan the flocks of geese and Trane at the right time of year.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , SteppeConditions
Flat , Open landscapeCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Summer , AutumnRoute
Paved road , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Egret cottage: After a series of drainage measures, the shore of Lake Neusiedl is now a long way from Sarród, which used to be a fishing village. The National Park centre of the Fertő-Hanság Nemzeti Park, the so-called “Egret cottage”, was built in the former harbour area of Sarród and mimics a fishing village of the Pecheneg people. The entrance gate symbolises the raised wings of two Egretthegre facing each other. Seen from above, the building – the largest in Hungary covered in reed thatch – is reminiscent of a Egretthegre spread wing. What is more, the gable wall of each individual “house” matches one town on the lake. The Egret cottage houses the National Park administra- tion, an information centre, exhibition space, and also offers accommodation.