Europaschutzgebiete March-Thaya-Auen, Protected wetland reserve at Austrian borders with Slovakia and Czech Republic.
The March-Thaya-Auen protected area is a wetland reserve comprising alluvial forests, floodplain meadows, and open water channels along two rivers that border Lower Austria. The mosaic of different habitats is created by natural river dynamics and includes dense woodland, extensive reed beds, and grassland stretches.
The reserve was designated in 1996 as part of the European Natura 2000 network to protect threatened habitats for bird species. This formal recognition reinforced efforts across Europe to safeguard floodplain ecosystems and their role in regional ecology.
The wetlands attract birdwatchers throughout the year, as rare species such as white-tailed eagles and ruff sandpipers visit regularly. Local communities actively maintain these river valleys to support migratory birds passing through the region.
The area is accessed via local hiking trails and observation points that are marked on-site and shown on available maps. Visitors are best served visiting during early morning or late afternoon hours when bird activity is at its highest.
The site is part of a tri-national Ramsar wetland that spans Austria, Slovakia, and Czech Republic, making it one of only a few such cross-border protected areas in the world. This arrangement requires coordinated management between three countries to maintain habitat continuity for migrating animal populations.
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