Atlas of Habitats

group

0.0001 m³

at 5.2 m

48.2ºN

[high] cavities

mixed

rough

birds

[high] cavities

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Introduction

Austria
Floridsdorfer Wasserpark, Vienna
48.2497° N, 16.3959° O
02/07/2024, 11:00 pm

Two breeding burrows were found high in a weeping willow located in the Floridsdorfer Wasserpark. The wood of the weeping willow is soft and therefore ideal for woodpeckers to carve their cavities. This tall tree, about ten meters high, has many cavities and serves as a habitat to many species. We found the first cavities during breeding season during a birdwatching tour with Benjamin Seaman from Birdwatch Austria. A starling was using them for breeding. When we came back to Floridsdorf, the nest was no longer in use.

Micro Climate

Weeping willows have many dense, hanging branches, which provide good cover and protection. These trees often grow near water sources like ponds, streams and lakes. Therefore, many birds are drawn to these areas, as they offer not only foraging opportunities but also good habitats for nesting, with plenty of food and cover nearby.

Material

Weeping willows provide an ideal environment for woodpeckers due to their soft wood and insect-rich environment. The tree is often prone to insect infestations, for example, by beetles and larvae. This makes them a good option for both foraging and nesting.

Location

The Floridsdorfer Wasserpark, created between 1928 and 1929, is a small part of the Old Danube and was designed to serve as a park in Vienna's 21st district, Floridsdorf. The park provides a valuable habitat for a variety of water birds that live there all year, which attracts many birdwatchers on a regular basis. We met Alfred Jakoblich on our second visit, who shared some interesting discoveries with us, as well as these beautiful pictures of the young starling family from the spring of 2024.

Construction

The wood of weeping willows is relatively soft compared to that of other trees. This makes it easier for woodpeckers to excavate burrows for nesting or foraging. As woodpeckers excavate a brand new nesting cavity each year, many other animals then make use of their abandoned cavities. In our case, we found three cavities located next to each other, and one was inhabited by a starling family.