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AT029
Ötscher-Dürrenstein
Location Austria, Niederösterreich,Steiermark
Central coordinates 15o 7.00' East  47o 50.00' North
IBA criteria B2, C6
Area 41,260 ha
Altitude 391 - 1,893m
Year of IBA assessment 2009

BirdLife Austria



Ornithological information The site is important for species found in montane and subalpine forest, rocky areas and cliffs

Site description This area of the Alps is characterized by a karst landscape with steep limestone cliffs and deep river gorges. Mixed forests (montane zone) and conifer forests (subalpine zone) dominate. Steep slopes have prevented widespread intensive forestry but in many places original forest has been replaced by monocultures of Picea. Above the treeline are small areas of alpine meadows. The valleys contain a few important raised bogs. The area is used for forestry and tourism.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia resident  1997-2005  frequent [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus resident  1994  20-25 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Black Stork Ciconia nigra breeding  1997-2005  10 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus breeding  1994  3 breeding pairs  good  B2, C6  Least Concern 
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos resident  1994  3 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Pygmy-owl Glaucidium passerinum resident  1997-2005  present [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus resident  1997-2005  present [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos resident  1994  frequent [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
Black woodpecker Dryocopus martius resident  1997-2005  150 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus resident  1994  30-50 breeding pairs  good  B2, C6  Least Concern 
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva breeding  1997-2005  frequent [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Lechnergraben Nature Reserve 245 protected area overlaps with site 245  
Leckermoos Nature Reserve 34 protected area overlaps with site 34  
Otscher--Dürrenstein Birds Directive 80,235 protected area contains site 39,000  
Rothwald I Nature Reserve 277 protected area overlaps with site 277  
Rothwald II Nature Reserve 299 protected area overlaps with site 299  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Mixed woodland; Native coniferous woodland; Treeline ecotone  90%
Grassland Mesophile grasslands  5%
Rocky areas   5%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
forestry 80%
agriculture 5%
not utilised 15%

Management considerations Intensive forestry is the main threat to the IBA. Recreation, particularly winter sports and canoeing, causes habitat loss and disturbance. Hunting is widespread and may affect grouse (Tetraonidae) populations.

Protection status National Low International High855 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserves (Leckermoos, 34 ha; Lechnergraben, 245 ha, Rothwald I, 277 ha; Rothwald II, 299 ha). 39,000 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (ötscher-Dürrenstein, 80,235 ha).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Ötscher-Dürrenstein. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife