Bird Island, Slovakia, Šamorín

Bird Island is a small island (6.86 hectares (17.0 acres)) in the Hrušovská zdrž (2518 ha), which is part of Gabčíkovo Reservoir, south-west of Šamorín, Slovakia. The island was built because of the constructions of the Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros dams on the Danube as habitat compensation for areas consequently flooded. The island is part of proposed special protected areas Dunajské luhy for waterbirds. The most important breeding birds are Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus), which is the only breeding site in Slovakia, and Common Redshank (Tringa totanus), for which it is the only breeding site in West Slovakia. Access is prohibited during the breeding and wintering seasons.

Importance for birds generally

• one from the most important breeding sites for gulls in the Slovakia
• island is one from the last sites where waterbirds can breed after construction of waterreservoir Gabčíkovo and destruction of flooded forests and branches of river Danube
• conditions for breeding and wintering of waterbirds are depending of management of habitats

Geography

• area 6,86 ha
• majority of the island is grassy, without coherent forest
• coast is rocky, hard accessible
• the nearest bank of river Danube is 700 meters distant

Breeding birds

• Black-headed Gull
• Mediterranean Gull
• Common Tern

Wintering birds

• Tufted Duck
• Common Pochard
• Greater White-fronted Goose

External links

• Volunteers helped bird protection in 2005 (Slovak)