First proof of breeding red-necked grebe on the Inn since the 19th century
The red-necked grebe has not been sighted as a regular breeding bird in Austria and Bavaria since the 19th century, only as a migratory bird. All the more remarkable therefore is the discovery of a pair of them in the reservoir of the VERBUND Inn power plant Egglfing-Obernberg, in a shallow water zone partly covered with dense reeds.
The sightings took place between May and July 2024 as part of the monitoring programme for the LIFE project “Riverscape Lower Inn”. The ecologists from the Revital agency commissioned by VERBUND were even able to observe a pair of red-necked grebes mating. After that, only the male was spotted in front of the reeds, which suggested that the female was hiding near the nest, as is common for this species. The breeding ground is located in a bay separated from the Inn by a guide embankment. The bay differs from the main outflow in that its water is less cloudy, but richer in nutrients, with a lower flow rate and a warmer temperature. This side arm with dense, swimmable reed beds corresponds to potential breeding habitats of the red-necked grebe.
“The encouraging sighting of the red-necked grebe shows how important intact floodplain waters are for waterbirds. As part of the Riverscape Lower Inn nature conservation project, VERBUND is ensuring that there will be more and better breeding habitats for the red-necked grebe and other birds along the Inn in the future,” says VERBUND project manager Roland Schmalfuß.
Restoration of the Aufhausener Lacke
VERBUND is currently working on the restoration of the Aufhausener Lacke. This has become increasingly silted up in recent decades due to the influx of sand and sediment during natural flood events.
The “new” Aufhausener Lacke and near-natural floodplain waters. Once completed, this still water zone will remain in place for decades and serve as a valuable habitat for fish and water birds as well as for amphibians and insects that inhabit the Inn floodplains. It will feature shallow water zones and deep areas.
By connecting the deep zone to the Inn, fish will once again also be able to use the Aufhausener Lacke as a habitat. In turn, the shallow water areas provide a perfect environment for fish larvae and juvenile fish as well as for waterfowl.
The planned construction project, which forms part of the EU LIFE project “Riverscape Lower Inn”, will be implemented in close coordination with the responsible authorities as part of the watercourse maintenance and the work will be carried out between October 2024 and March 2025 under ecological supervision.
About the “LIFE Riverscape Lower Inn” project
The project “LIFE Riverscape Lower Inn” supported by VERBUND serves to achieve important goals of the Fauna Flora Habitat (FFH) and Bird Protection Directive in the Lower Inn European reserve within the scope of the European Natura 2000 network. The strengthening of the fish population in these new bypass rivers will provide an attractive aquatic habitat for reproduction and growth throughout the entire river landscape. The LIFE project is therefore also helping to achieve a key objective of the European Union’s Water Framework Directive.
