A ranger and the great outdoors
Travelling through the Lake Neusiedl – Seewinkel National Park with a ranger
In this short but exciting story, biologist, ecologist and national park ranger Barbara Kofler explains the experiences and special features that await visitors to Lake Neusiedl – Seewinkel National Park. Directly accessible from the Lake Neusiedl Cycle Trail, you can discover nature to the full at Austria’s steppe national park.
The northwest wind blows softly across the reeds, while the sun slips its way up the endless steppe. Darkness and shadow begin their retreat from the fiery red of the celestial body. A new day begins in Lake Neusiedl – Seewinkel National Park. Animals and plants are awakening and we humans are already out and about to experience this special moment. “Early morning” is the title of one of the many excursions offered by the national park in the early hours. Today I’m with a group of inquisitive people. The countless encounters and observations in the national park offer the chance to learn from nature together.
White donkeys, Hungarian steppe cattle and Przewalski horses have a habitat unique in Austria. We discover plants specially adapted to salty soils, which are otherwise only found on sea coasts or salt steppes. We recognize niches of an ecosystem that are used by many different animals in many different ways. Together with my group, I want to explain the role that humans play in this structure, when we can perceive and interpret signs of the past and also of our time as we pass the salt flats and willows. “Look! A white stork looking for food”, I call. Without such an extensively used meadow full of insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals, he would probably no longer return to his nest in Illmitz or Apetlon. It’s a good thing the national park’s here.
Author: Barbara Kofler
Further recommendations, tips and news
Landscapes influence people and people influence landscapes. Austria has a lot to tell you about.
The world’s smallest wheat beer brewery
An addition to excellent beers and the cosy atmosphere of the world’s smallest wheat beer brewery, the Hausbrauerei...
tip
A spa experience in historic architecture
The thermal spa in Bad Ischl is today one of the most renowned in Austria. Its imperial past can be felt at every turn....
tip
The full splendour of the monarchy
A cycle tour along the Danube is also a journey back in time to the world of the Habsburgs....
tip
Salzburg and the Mozarttorte
A charming treat: The Mozarttorte in all its variations and the combination of marzipan, nougat, pistachio and...
tip
A blossoming business in traditional costumes
The fashion label FREIWILD in the Mostviertel region unites the fast rhythm of the urban world as well as slower...
tip
No folding now!
The well-known author Karin Wasner explains how a bet changed her attitude to cycling on the Traisen Valley Cycle Trail....
tip
If walls could talk
The historical townscape of Schärding is still so lively today that it seems like just a short step back to the...
tip
Old treasures – new works
Valuable white bookshelves in the world's largest monastic library: Admont Abbey invites you into the world of books....
tip
Childhood memories
Der Donauradweg ist ein Abenteuerland für die ganze Familie: er ist gesäumt von Abenteuer-Spielplätzen, tollen...
tip