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SPA Westliches Weinviertel

Lower Austria  >  Austria

The plain of the Schmida valley around Wartberg and Sitzendorf is one of most important places for birds of the open, agricultural steppe in Austria.

Tillagd* av Johannes Hohenegger
Senast uppdaterad 10 december 2022

Beskrivning

The plains of Westliches Weinviertel are famous for stortrapp. The area is inhabited by several species of high conservation concern, like stortrapp, tatarfalk, kejsarörn or ängshök, which are dependent on the rather undisturbed, open agricultural landscape. Furthermore, it is an important wintering area for fjällvråk, blå kärrhök, jorduggla and Varfågel. On migration, big flocks of tofsvipa and ljungpipare can be seen, but several rarities have also been found here already. For example fjällpipare, örnvråk, mindre skrikörn, stäpphök, snösparv, tallsparv.

By far the best observation place is the church hill of Wartberg, which is like a well-structured island in the middle of the agricultural steppe and where you have an excellent view of nearly the whole area. Birds on the plains are quite far away, but you can easily locate them with a spotting scope - because of the elevated point of view - and approach them safely on a public road afterwards. So you can also avoid getting too near to the birds and disturbing them (which happens extremly easily in the flat landscape). Furthermore, the spot is also very rewarding to scan for birds of prey and migrants flying over, but also migrant songbirds roosting in the bushy vegetation and dry grasslands around the church. During the breeding season, you'll maybe see Härfågel here and in the evening or early morning you might hear or see the local minervauggla. It is also one of the most reliable spots to see rapphöna in the region.

Another nice spot (especially in morning light) to get a good overview is the observation tower in the east near Roseldorf. You can see minervauggla and balkanspett there, but you will also need a scope to observe stortrapp and eagles from there.

Important notice: As it is a huge area and acess to the open plain is restricted due to conservation concerns, you will definitely need a spotting scope to get in touch with the birds. Please bear in mind that approaching the protected species is a punishable offence according to the Lower Austrian hunting law and that the local gamekeepers will not hesitate to intervene if animals are disturbed by observers. Hold on to the information in the map in order explore the area responsibly. Entering the dirt tracks within the breeding season (March to August) is forbidden. Nevertheless, you should not approach stortrapp year-round, as they are very susceptible to disturbance. You'll get the highest chances to watch them from a reasonable distance, if you stay on the bigger roads, which are quite busy and not seen as a threat by the stortrapp. Avoid stopping and never leave the car, if you think you are too near to the stortrapp! The local population is declining at the moment and should not face any unnecessary disturbance.

Detaljer

Tillgänglighet

There is a network of public streets in the area, which should be used for observation. You can stop at the dirt tracks entries but do not use them to enter the agricultural landscape, as this will disturb the wildlife and you will flush the birds. Also do not obstruct access to the dirt tracks if you leave your car there for longer. There are a few spots (see map) which are most suitable to park and observe from there.

Terräng och habitat

Slätt , Platå , Jordbruk , Spridda träd och buskar

Förhållanden

Platt , Dammigt , Öppet landskap

Rundtur

Ja

Tubkikare behövs?

Ja

Bästa säsong för skådning

Året runt

Bästa tid för ett besök

Vårsträck , Höststräck , Vinter

Rutt

Asfalterad väg

Hur ansträngande vandring

Lätt vandring

Nås

Bil , Till fots

Fågeltorn / plattform

Ja

Extra information

Latest sightings can be seen on Ornitho.at, which is also recommended for submitting your personal sightings. See clickable link below.

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