Some ideas for a birdfair at Lake Neusiedl

The diversity of habitats at the junction of the Alps and the Carpathians into the Hungarian Plain defines the area around Neusiedler See to one of Europe’s hot spots of biodiversity.  Because of the steppe, the reed belt, douzens of salt lakes and wet meadows it is also an important stepping stone for the European-African bird migration flyway. Therefor the Seewinkel attracts ornithologists for decades from all over the world.

Since the establishment of the transboundary national park Neusiedler See – Seewinkel / Fertö – Hanság in 1993 the possibilities for the individual bird watching significantly expanded. The information centers in both Illmitz and Fertöújlak offer a wide range of posibilities to visitors and open up the birdlife of the area every season:  excursion programs, watchtowers, checklists, detailed maps, etc.

The goal of the first Pannonian Bird Experience, is to offer a comprehensive ovierview of birdwatching industry and regional biodiversity in a regional but international context. The Pannonian Bird Experience is from 22 – 25 April 2010 in the National Information Center will take place in Illmitz. It is organised for both beginners and experts with more intersts into the region.

For the first time protected area and conservation managers of of the Western-pannonian area (Hungary, Slovakia, Austria) present their areas and their programs: lectures and workshops on birds and bird observation will be offered from Friday through Sunday, also excursions to the protected areas at Lake Neusiedl, in Hanság on the Danube and Morava and in the Sopron Mountains. Leading supplier of binoculars, spotting scopes, digital cameras, outdoor clothing and other products for birdwatching present their new developments. Optical devices can be directly tested in the wild.

The Pannonian Bird Experience 2010 motivates people from the three-nation region to holiday guests to invest more time for the exciting hobby of birdwatching. It stresses the importance of the Neusiedlersee Lake region as a hub for bird watching in Central Europe. And it contributes to a better understanding of the transnational nature conservation and sustainable development.

The goal

The Pannonian Bird Experience 2010

… brings together people from the Central European Region

… offers the growing “Birding industry” a fair and possibilities to test in the field

… informs about this contiguous region

… supports a conservation / education project suggest by our partners our visitors select

Tim Appleton C/Organiser of The British Birdfair

“On behalf of the British Birdwatching Fair or as it is now known universally as Birdfair, I am delighted to support the 2010 Pannonian Bird Experience. The location and setting for an Eastern European Birdwatching event could not be bettered being on the shores of the fabulous wildlife richLake Neusiedl. The lake teems with migrants and resident birds and visitors to the fair are in for an amazing treat. The Bird Experience organisers are to be congratulated on putting together an exciting programme of events which should attract birdwatchers from all over Europe. I encourage all those interested in the environment to support this exciting venture and attend the Pannonian Bird Experience next April.”