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.