Lakes by Tata

Tens of thousands of geese and thousands of ducks roost on Lake Öreg, in front of the baroque style Castle of Tata during the migration period

Lakes by Tata

  • Country: 
    Hungary
  • Site number: 
    419
  • Area: 
    1,897 ha
  • Designation date: 
    17-03-1989
  • Coordinates: 
    47°40'N 18°17'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Located near the Duna River by the border with Slovakia, the Site is composed of a mosaic of habitats including meadows, pastures, spring bogs, remnants of former extensive fen and bog areas, reedbeds, agricultural land, fishponds, streams and a lake. Öreg-tó (“old lake”), an artificial lake created in the centre of the town of Tata during the middle ages, collects water from the Által-ér stream and is important for maintaining the biological diversity of the region. The Site is an important habitat for migratory birds, supporting up to 80,000 waterfowl, especially geese, and supports the globally threatened lesser white fronted goose Anser erythropus and red-breasted goose Branta ruficollis. It is wedged between urban and industrial regions as well as the agglomeration of Tata. Human activities are concentrated around agriculture and fishing. A number of educational activities and excursions are organized on the Site, and an annual wild geese festival takes place in the town. The main threats to the ecological character of the Site are organic and oil pollution of the streams and creeks that flow into the lake, and the expansion of private land ownership and building activities in the surrounding area. Marshland restoration projects have been carried out. Local restrictions on hunting help to preserve the natural values of the Site. The Site was significantly extended in 2006 and renamed “Lakes by Tata”, from “Tata, Öreg-tó (Old Lake)”.

Administrative region: 
Komárom-Esztergom county

  • National legal designation: 
    • Municipal Nature Conservation Area - Old lake
    • Special Hunting Area - Ferencmajori fish ponds
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • EU Natura 2000
  • Last publication date: 
    10-03-2017

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents