Bird Island, Slovakia, Šamorín

Bird Island is small island (6,86 ha) situated in the Hrušovská zdrž (2518 ha), which is part of Gabčíkovo reservoir, southwesterly from Šamorín. Island was built according to constructions of dams Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros at the Danube and it should be compensation instead of destroyed flooded forests fo Danube. Island is part of proposed special protected areas Dunajské luhy where should be protected waterbirds. The most important breeding birds are Mediterranean Gull ("Larus melanocephalus"), which is breeding in the Slovakia only in this place and Redshank ("Tringa totanus"), which is breeding in the West Slovakia only here. Entry for publicity is prohibited during breeding and wintering season.

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