On April 1st, Mr. Felix Bergmann, the external monitor for the LIFE WILDisland project, met with our team to assess progress and discuss key challenges ahead of the submission of our first Mid-Term Report.
Hosted by Donau-Auen National Park, the Coordinating Beneficiary, the visit began with a brief technical review before we headed to the Schwalbeninsel project site, accompanied by our partners from the Austrian waterway company viadonau. While the current landscape—marked by cleared vegetation and embankment access for heavy machinery—may not yet reveal its future transformation, these preparatory steps are essential for the ambitious revitalization measures planned. Following the completion and approval of technical designs, large stabilizing stones along the riverbank will be removed to restore natural river dynamics.
A major milestone was also announced during the visit: viadonau has secured an additional €1.4 million, supplementing the LIFE WILDisland project budget to fully implement the proposed restoration measures. This funding increase will allow for the removal of over 3,000 meters of embankment—1,000 meters more than originally planned—as well as the adaptation of 10 groynes, doubling the number initially foreseen.
The visit continued to Hungary, where the project team and Mr. Bergmann explored the Erebe restoration site in Fertő-Hanság National Park, Hungary. This is the first construction measure successfully completed under LIFE WILDisland, involving embankment openings and dredging to restore a free-flowing side arm and revitalize the adjacent Erebe and Macka islands. Just over a month after the final opening, the former gravel path—once walkable—has transformed into a thriving, water-filled channel, now navigable only by boat. The newly reconnected wetland is already attracting waders, herons, and rheophilic fish.
During our short tour, we observed a pair of White-tailed Eagles, a young Imperial Eagle, a Black Stork, and several Common Sandpipers—a species indicative of dynamic riverbanks and healthy wetlands.
We sincerely hope Mr. Bergmann found the visit insightful, and we look forward to our next steps in strengthening the Danube WILDisland Habitat Corridor!
