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In terms of diversity, Neusiedler SeeNational Park in Austria is one ofEurope's least known wildlife hotspots.Forget the alpine meadows and mountainsof the Alps that you would normallyassociate with Austria! On this holiday wewill be focusing exclusively on thecountry's warm and flat lowland regions,more akin to the steppes to the east, andthe reason we can expect to see such arange of plants, birds, insects and animalsis that we will be exploring a region thatlies at a crossroads of landscapes,habitats and cultures. During our weekhere we will enjoy all these highlights, butparticularly the latter, for sampling the local food and wine will be amongst this holiday's pleasures! Neusiedler See National Park, in fact,spans the Austro-Hungarian border andwas the first bi-national park to be createdin Europe, the majority of it lying withinAustria but the southern part being inHungary. To reach it we have simply totake a short flight to Vienna then a bus rideto the very comfortable hotel in Illmitzwhich will be our base for the week,situated right amongst the sights andsounds of nature. The numerous GreatEgrets are just one indicator of a richdiversity which also includes breedingBlack-necked Grebes, and both Little andSpotted Crakes. For our initial exploration of the region, wewill rise early and travel by horse-drawncarriage to enjoy some amazing viewsacross the reedbeds from the upperplatforms of an ex-Cold War watchtower towhich we have special access, and wherewe will have breakfast! Looking down, wewill see numerous herons, egrets andSpoonbills setting out to feed. Later we willenter the reedbeds themselves to watchtheir warblers and to learn their songs,exploring by means of duck walks to whichaccess for the general public is prohibited.A wine-tasting session (with local food) ina village wine cellar completes the day!On our third day we focus on the large saltpools where the plants and birds are morerepresentative of the seaside, amongstthem breeding Mediterranean Gulls andAvocets, whilst the swathes of wild flowersall around us include the purple-floweredAustrian Sage and contrasting yellowbedstraws that span the hutweideorshepherded pasture. In the afternoon wecontinue our exploration of the opengrasslands with a focus on a Souslik colonywhere these endearing little groundsquirrels may be seen at their burrows. Anoptional bat walk after dinner will furtherensure that we keep the mammalenthusiasts amongst us happy!The insect-life, too, is very rich in the park,and we will look for both dragonflies and thebutterflies that are attracted to the profusionof meadow flowers. The beautiful SouthernFestoon may, perhaps, be amongst thehighlights. Interesting beetles, prayingmantis, flies and spiders will also turn up onour walks, particularly on our next day-trip toZitzmannsdorfer Wiesen, a remnant of thesteppe and a breeding site for Black-tailedGodwits, Curlews and many other species.We will have lunch at a fish restaurant totaste the local specialities before driving toa hilltop nature reserve known for itsprofusion of butterflies and flowers. Later wewill offer an optional evening walk to watchwaterbirds flying to roost and to look forFire-bellied Toads. On another day we willtravel to the opposite shore of the lake tovisit Rust, probably the most beautifulvillage in the region with its old town squareand colourful houses. Here we will visit thelocal Stork Conservation Area for anexplanation of stork ecology andconservation. We will then have the choicebetween returning to Illmitz by minibus ortaking the ferry and then enjoying a leisurelycycle ride through the reedbeds andvineyards along flat country roads.We will spend our penultimate day, a longbut exciting one, in Hungary. Rising early,we travel to the Hansag, the remains of awild marshland and wetland forest whichthe Hungarians are currently restoring. Thisis a very atmospheric place offering a greatfeeling of isolation. Later, after a quiet lunchat the Sarrod visitors' centre, we will spendthe afternoon and evening at Tadtenlooking for displaying Great Bustards andhunting Short-eared Owls.Finally, we will visit the local Geiselsteller tomeet a wine farmer who will explain howthe area's distinctive soil and climaticconditions affect both the quality of thewine and the wildlife that the regionsupports. In the afternoon we will walkaround nearby Zicklacke, a prime birdingsite (offering both saline and freshwaterhabitats) that hosts numerous breedingbirds which are best viewed from twoobservation towers. The flowers here are a spectacle in May, with a good display ofwetland orchids and clusters of SiberianBlue Iris amongst the highlights. A finalevening meal in Illmitz, enjoying a PusztaNacht or Mulacsag (a traditional localdinner with gypsy music) offers a fitting end to a holiday rich in both cultural andwildlife highlights.Austria's Steppes & WetlandsAn exciting and comprehensive 8-day exploration of the rich natural and culturaldiversity offered by a premier national park at the heart of Europe, Neusiedler See.Thursday 3rd May - Thursday 10th May Cost: £1,295Outline itineraryDay 1Fly Vienna; transferIllmitz.Day 2/7Natural history andcultural excursionsthroughout NeusiedlerSee National Park fromIllmitz. Day 8Drive Vienna; flyLondon.AccommodationA comfortable hotel; all rooms withprivate facilities. FoodAll included in the price.GradingGrade A/B. Short day walks onmostly flat ground, plus oneoptional cycle ride. FocusBirds, plants, mammals, butterflies,dragonflies and local Austro-Hungarian culture.LeaderDave Smallshire.Single room supplement£140.ExtensionsNights in Vienna, or other options,available on request.Web quick search:AUT0128Call now or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk for your free Trip ItineraryHUNGARYCROATIASLOVENIACZECH REPUBLICAUSTRIANEUSIEDLERSEEVIENNAILLMITZThe HansagAustrian Sage Black-necked Grebe