Seewinkel, Austria - June 2009

[Mario Schweiger]

From June, 8th to June, 11th we have been in the "Seewinkel" in Burgenland, Austria.

The "Seewinkel" is situated east of lake Neusiedel. The Austrian part of the National Park is about 90 square kilometers large (see map).

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Our goal was to check the large meadows for suitability for reptiles.
You must have a permission to leave the ways and enter these areas.

The Seewinkel is very poor on reptile species. Only

Lacerta agilis
Zootoca vivipara (only in the northeastern reedbelt and along some channels and in the area close to the Hungarian border (Neudegg)).
Anguis fragilis (very rare)
Coronella austriaca (only two findings)
Zamenis longissimus (one finding)
Natrix natrix
Natrix tessellata (3 findings)
Vipera ursinii rakosiensis (extinct since 1973).

Amphibian species in the Seewinkel are:

Triturus dobrogicus
Lissotriton vulgaris
Bombina bombina
Pelobates fuscus
Bufo bufo
Bufo (Pseudepidalea) viridis
Hyla arborea
Rana arvalis
Rana dalmatina
Pelophylax lessonae
Pelophylax esculentus

Due the very strong wind during our visit it was hard to search for herps.
Only Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix have been seen in higher numbers.
Just 2 Zootoca vivipara and 3 Hyla arborea.
In ditches and channels some Bombina bombina and Pelophylax sp.
During the night Bufo viridis (only subadults) have been seen in the village Illmitz in large numbers.

Here now a few pictures.
Due the stormy wind, the in situ pics of most herps are not perfect sharp. It was impossible to keep the camera and the 300 mm telemacro still.

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Mario

[Ilian Velikov]

Nice pictures,Mario! The Sand Lizards are great!

Best regards
Ilian

[Vlad Cioflec]

Cool report Mario! I love the Green Toads.

Any other pics of the Pelophylax?!

[Edvard Mizsei]

Vipera ursinii rakosiensis (extinct since 1973)

So, this is the place where you have seen the last meadow viper in Austria?