Austrian Alps (1 Viewer)

[gary smith]

Can anybody help? I am going to the Austrian Alps next June, around the Grossglockner area. Does anybody Know of any good birding spots in this area. We will be staying in Zell am see. I hope there is somebody on BF that can help.

Thanks
Gary

 

[Adey Baker]

Just to bump this thread up again, I've attached a shot taken on the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse near to the Edelweiss-spitze to show how close you are to the snow level at the higher points on the road.

This is near to point five on the map ( near the end of this thread : http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=17565&page=1&pp=25 for those who haven't followed the story so far!) and, like the map, the approach from the north is on the right side.

The coaches are parked on the highest parking spot on the actual road.

My wife took this shot as my son and I were looking for butterflies on the grassy slopes just left of the coaches. The following year it was even sunnier with a lot more butterflies around but two years later, and at only a slightly earlier date in July the whole of the grassy areas shown here were white over with snow - especially on the north side which is where we saw the Snow Finches.

Incidentally, the road is closed from about November to May and the amount of snow cleared to open the road each spring would fill a freight train 90 miles long (so the brochure tells you!).

 

[gary smith]

Nice picture Adey, I'm very impressed with the road.

We booked the holiday today, so I'm really looking forward to it. Lets hope that some other people on BF share their experiences from this region with us.

 

[Ruby]

Hi Gary,

I have been to the area a few times, but only in the depths of Winter, so not too many birds around.

All I can recall seeing were House Sparrows in the town of Zell and some Blackbirds begging up at the mountain restaurants.

Hope you have a good trip anyway...


Ruby.

 

[gary smith]

Thanks Ruby

 

[Dale Forbes]

Hohe Tauern

Unfortunately, I have yet to make it out to that area, but I see that Zell am see is close to Hohe Tauern National Park which is, apparently, a wonder. Lots of alpine specialists and Lammergeiers (Bearded Vultures) to whit.
I wish I could give you more information, but I suggest checking out www.bird.at and maybe contacting the guys there for some more info.
I live just outside of Innsbruck and would love to read your trip report!
Kind regards
Dale

My alpine birds blog

 

[albatross02]

Hello,

how is about books of Tirol, Salzburg and complete Austria ?
Which bokks recommended ?


Best regards
Dieter

 

[Dale Forbes]

tirol books

Hello,

how is about books of Tirol, Salzburg and complete Austria ?
Which bokks recommended ?


Best regards
Dieter

Hey Dieter,
what types of books are you looking for? specific birding books? nature books?
if it is birding then I personally just use guides that cover the whole of europe, but I do know there are some books that cater specifically for birding and bird spots in eastern Austria and its immediate neighbours. there might be some more info on www.bird.at

kind regards
dale

 

[albatross02]

valley Krummltal near Rauris

Hello,

books like this
"Atlas der Brutvögel Österreichs"
Dvorak, M., A. Ranner & H.-M. Berg (1993): Atlas der Brutvögel Österreichs. Ergebnisse der Brutvogelkartierung 1981-1985 der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Vogelkunde. Herausgegeben vom Umweltbundesamt; Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Jugend und
Familie. 527 S.


Best regards
Dieter