Explorer route - A sea of reeds

The marsh warbler, one of five reed warblers in the reed belt, finds its only breeding area in Austria at Lake Neusiedl. Hidden in old reeds with a dense thorn layer, the males can especially be heard in spring by their song.

Bearded tits spend their entire lives in the reed belt. They feed on insects and spiders – in winter on reed seeds. They often move through the reeds in small groups. Their call, a lively, nasal "psching", usually announces them.

Normally amphibians such as green frogs avoid fish-rich waters, as both their spawn and tadpoles are easy prey for fish. But in the thicket of the reed belt, there are enough hiding places and shallower, fish-free areas.

In the trap bladders of the yellow-blooming bladderwort, there is enormous underpressure. If a small water creature touches the closing cap of the bladder, it opens lightning fast and sucks in the surrounding water along with the prey.

Small crustaceans such as water fleas continuously filter tiny algae from the water. They themselves are an important food base for many insects and fish. Under ideal conditions, massive occurrences happen – they are then clearly visible to the naked eye.