Waasen - Hanság, Kommassantenwiesen and Einser-Kanal

Burgenland > Austria

Famous area for velika droplja and močvirska uharica and for the diversity of raptors.

Added* by Benjamin Knes
Most recent update 16 september 2021

Description

The Waasen or Hanság (in Hungarian) is a 460 km2-large fen area south-east of the Seewinkel, the larger part of which lies in Hungary – only around 70 km2 are Austrian territory. Once part of the Lake Neusiedl area and described as an impassable water wilderness, the area’s valuable semi-aquatic habitats were massively impacted through numerous human interventions. As late as the late 18th century, Tadten, Andau, Wallern, and Pamhagen had still been fishing villages! Today, the Austrian part of the Hanság is known – at best – as a temporarily inundated arid habitat with huge agricultural areas. Nevertheless, part of the Hanság is still the most bird species-diverse meadow area in Austria – močvirski lunj, kozica, veliki škurh, priba, rdečenogi martinec, kosec, grahasta tukalica, močvirska uharica, rumena pastirica, repaljščica, prosnik, kobiličar, rjavi srakoper and veliki strnad all breed here. The formerly occurring črnorepi kljunač is the only typical meadow-breeding bird missing today from this species array. But the breeding populations of some of these species fluctuate strongly depending on the meadows’ and fallows’ water supply.

Some of the species are exceedingly sensitive to disturbance, so visitors must strictly remain on the paths at all times to not jeopardise breeding success.

Details

Access

Two embanked roads lead south-east to the Einser-Kanal (the main regulation channel), one from Tadten and the other from Andau. The most important observation points can easily be combined on this circuit. Due to the distances and the risk of disturbing certain species, driving is the recommended means of transport here. In the meadow area itself, it is best to get out of one’s car only at the points described here. Starting onto Dammweg at Tadten, after about 3 km of driving through agricultural fields, one reaches the meadows known as the Kommassantenwiesen. There is an observation tower at a slight kink in the road, which offers a good overview of the meadow area. Facing east to the embanked road from Andau, between early April and mid-May one should be able to make out the displaying velika droplja males resembling “cotton wool balls”. Also keep an eye open for veliki škurh, priba, rdečenogi martinec, and kozica, which all breed here in varying populations sizes each year. Meanwhile, passerines such as rumena pastirica, bičja trstnica, močvirska trstnica, trstni cvrčalec (in mature reed stands), rjavi srakoper and (rarely) modra taščica can also be seen here. Raptor fans should remember to scan the sky for belorepec, kraljevi orel, rjavi lunj, and močvirski lunj – and with a little luck one might even discover a migrating or temporarily stationary rdečenoga postovka in May.

The long, straight road continues past meadows and cattle pastures to the Einser-Kanal. The northern base of the embankment (not the middle of the channel) marks the border to Hungary. Turning left, the route continues on the rather rough road to Andauer Dammstraße. The bushes beside the road and the forests on the Hungarian side are home to divja grlica, zelena žolna, črna žolna, pisana penica, slavec, rečni cvrčalec, and rumeni strnad. The skies should be scanned here regularly, especially for črna štorklja and various raptors. During migration, rare raptors like kačar and mali orel occasionally appear here, demanding careful identification and documentation. At the intersection with Andauer Dammstraße, the historic “bridge at Andau” leads across the Einser-Kanal to Hungary (remember to take a passport or ID card!). The Osli-Hany and Király-tó in the Hungarian Hanság can easily be explored by bicycle from here. The bridge itself is a good place to spot pritlikavi kormoran, veliki kormoran, kostanjevka, navadna čigra, vodomec, (on migration), rakar, bičja trstnica and krokar. In spring and early summer, kobiličar is heard from the nearby meadow-like fallows. The route returns along Andauer Dammstraße. About half-way, make sure to stop at the spacious observation platform, where the velika droplja sometimes come quite close to the road (particularly in the early mornings). veliki škurh, močvirski lunj, škrjančar, rumena pastirica, repaljščica, prosnik, and rjavi srakoper can also be seen west of the road. And in some years kosec can be heard here quite well, calling from the Kommassantenwiesen at late dusk.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Grassland

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Summer , Spring

Route

Paved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

The bridge at Andau. The original bridge was used by local farmers to reach their fields, some of which were on the other side of the channel. After the Hungarian revolution had been suppressed and around 70,000 Hungarians had fled to Austria at this point alone, the bridge was blasted by Soviet troops on 21 November 1956. 40 years later, the “New Bridge at Andau” was erected by Hungarian and Austrian soldiers working together, and was ceremonially opened. The 9 km-long road to Andau, known as the “Road to Freedom” is lined by around 90 sculptures by international artists commemorating the events of November 1956.

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