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Friday, April 30, 2010

The Pannonian Bird Experience 2010

During the weekend 23-25 April 2010 the first Pannonian Bird Experience was held in the Information Centre of the Seewinkel National Park, Burgenland, Austria. The event was modelled on the annual British Bird Fair and attracted an international participation, especially from the neighbouring countries of Germany, Hungary and Slovakia.


The Seewinkel National Park includes much of the inland Lake Neusiedl, which is encircled by a vast belt of reeds (Schilf-gürtel). At the southern (Hungarian) end of the lake the reed bed extends so far as to be able to observe the curvature of the Earth!

The weekend's programme offered a series of presentations; displays of cameras, telescopes and binoculars; and outdoor clothing and equipment. A number of excursions throughout the weekend offered visits around Neusiedler See (Lake Neusiedl) to important habitats and birdwatching sites in Hungary and Slovakia.

Maalie after his presentation

I felt privileged to be invited to deliver a presentation on Bird Ringing in Europe, in which I outlined the use of ringing to investigate the dynamics of bird populations by studying movement, productivity and survival. The presentation concluded with a case study of my own research on the survival of the Marsh Tit.

Tour guide Andrea leads an excursion into Hungary and Slovakia

Members of the excursion group watch birds on an island in the Danube
at the Szigetkőt National Park in Hungary


A wetland habitat, part of the National park in Hungary

The River Danube near Hainberg, part of the beautiful National Park

I congratulate the organisers for a fantastic event which I thoroughly enjoyed. I understand that plans are afoot to repeat the event in future years, and I look forward to participating again.

9 Comments:

Blogger simon said...

Um... would Andrea be interested in tour guide of outback Australia?? ahahahaha

11:53 am  
Blogger lorenzothellama said...

Reminds me of Minsmere!

1:19 pm  
Blogger Ellee Seymour said...

If they ever need anyone to make a video to record this for posterity, then look no further! It sounds wonderful.

I know what Simon's thinking of too!!

6:55 pm  
Blogger donsands said...

"The River Danube near Hainberg"

What a river! The Blue Danube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTqlLKBKFhg

I hope someday i might see it.

I wonder, how is the pollution there? Are there rivers very polluted, as the Ganges, or the rivers in my country, and state, Maryland. Even the Chesapeake Bay is quite polluted, and yet, it has been improving in the past years.

Thanks for sharing this post.

2:34 am  
Blogger lorenzothellama said...

Donsands, the Blue Danube is grey!

4:43 pm  
Blogger Ted M. Gossard said...

Great pics as always. Glad you had that opportunity. Are you on YouTube yet, Maalie? Come on. We want to hear your voice and lecture.

11:56 pm  
Blogger simon said...

Maalie- I could not open it!

11:58 pm  
Blogger donsands said...

"the Blue Danube is grey!"

Thanks Llama, that says it all.

1:32 am  
Blogger Jeff Higgott said...

Look at Andrea's bins - would any serious birder be seen in the field with their nockies slung so low?

9:57 pm  

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