Description
The starting point is the parking area at the “Illmitzer Seewäldchen”. Following the sandy trail to the north, the voices of Вивільга звичайна, Одуд , Крутиголовка звичайна, Берестянка звичайна, and Мухоловка сіра can be heard at the forest edge in spring. Одуд, Коноплянка, and Щиглик звичайний are regulars. A quick look with a spotting scope towards the opening under the gable of the prominent stable reveals whether (and how many) Сипуха are present.
At the birdwatching hide "Südliche Seekoppel", with the view in the reedbelt of Lake Neusiedl various waterbirds can be observed. Breeding species like: Косар білий, Баклан малий, Баклан великий, Гуска сіра, Лунь очеретяний, Пірникоза велика, Мала біла чапля, Чепура велика, Погонич малий or migrants like Свищ євразійський, Пісочник великий, Коловодник лісовий, Коловодник болотяний, can be regularly seen.
On the way to the Seebad (the lakefront resort) in spring, birdwatchers familiar with the voices of reed passerines will be able to hear all of the species breeding here: Очеретянка ставкова , Очеретянка лучна, Очеретянка велика, Очеретянка тонкодзьоба and Кобилочка солов’їна, as well as Сутора вусата, або синиця вусата, Ремез звичайний and Вівсянка очеретяна. Пірникоза мала, Водяна курочка, Попелюх звичайний, Погонич малий and Пірникоза велика can be seen swimming in the pools of open water within the reed belt, as can – with a little luck – the occasional Чернь білоока.
In "Seebad" itself has become known for two primary reasons. First, periods of bad weather between April and mid-May can force large numbers of migrating passerines to seek refuge in the few available trees, bushes, and meadows. Second, this part of the shore of Lake Neusiedl is the best place in all of Austria to see skuas (mainly Поморник довгохвостий and Поморник середній). A few specimen of this rather rare bird family (at least for inland birdwatching) are discovered here every year between mid-August and mid-October. The harbour inlet for ferries is a good place to get quite close-range photos of some of the more common gulls.
Details
Access
The street "Seestraße" is accessable by car. The hide "Südliche Seekoppel" (former "Warmblutpferdekoppel") is accessable by foot or bicycle.
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushes , Wetland , Lake , ReedbedsConditions
FlatCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
YesGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Summer , Spring migration , Autumn migration , Autumn , SpringRoute
Paved road , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
There is one birdwatching hide existing along the "Seestraße". This hide can be exclusively used by official Nationalpark exkursions and is closed for public use. The "Seebad" is an official public swimming area and therefore a great spot to enjoy the warm water of Lake Neusiedl.
