Nyirkai-Hany

The Site is in the Hanság peat lowland, which was a vast wetland complex regularly flooded by tributaries of the Danube and Rába until it was drained for agricultural purposes in the 19th century. In 2001, a wetland restoration project was started with Dutch support to create open water surfaces, reedbeds and tall grass-dominated plant communities in the agricultural polders. Within a short time the area gained great importance as a habitat for raptors such as the globally threatened greater spotted eagle Aquila clanga and saker falcon Falco cherrug, as well as a nesting and feeding place for waterbirds such as the Eurasian coot Fulica atra and ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca. The Site is also an important wintering site for many migratory birds: it supports over 20,000 waterbirds including over 1% of the biogeographic population of the greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons and greylag goose Anser anser. The shallow waters constitute an important spawning ground for fish. The European otter Lutra lutra and the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber have bred in the area since its restoration. The Site plays an important role in groundwater recharge and flood control. In the surrounding areas, intensive agricultural and recreational activities as well as peat extraction have adverse effects on its ecological character. The Fertö-Hanság National Park carries out ecological monitoring to ensure long-term conservation management.

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