Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
KOMPKÖTŐ ISLAND, BÜKI ISLAND AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS Leaving the Visegrád Pass behind, the Danube slows down and deposits its alluvium, thus forming a varied riverbed section with several islands and branches. Szentendre Island, Égető Island, Buki Island and Kompkötő Island were all formed this way. Although the latter was mentioned in documents 800 years ago, due to its isolation it has luckily escaped being built up so far and has preserved its natural state. The Danube-1 poly Kompkötő Island Islands in the Danube made of alluvium 19 National Park has contributed towards the conservation of its valuable flora and fauna. Unfortunately, the riverbranch of the island, as well as that of the Buki Island, has been closed up with a cross-dike. As a result, willow shrubs and dry areas have developed. In the course of the silting up, the islands will become part of the mainland sooner or later. In the meantime, as these areas have become easier to reach, more and more people come here, which results in the decrease of wildfowl. ÉGETŐ ISLAND AND ITS ENVIRONS (Égető Island, the mouth of the Gombás Stream, the Grove, the springs of Hétkápolna (Seven Chapels), the Vác Educational Path in the flood area) In the southern part of Vác, a 350 hectare area between the Danube and A2 Road includes Égető Island, the mouth of the Gombás Stream running into the oxbow lake of the Danube, the Derecske Lakes and the springs of Hétkápolna. A long time ago the natural flow of the Danube formed several smaller islands, an oxbow lake and riverside woodland. This structure has been considerably transformed by several factors: the area partially silted up, the hardwood groves disappeared, some landscaping was performed, and a cross-dike was built in the branch of Égető Island. The diminishing of the riverside woodland is partly compensated by the revival of an oxbow lake, which had been rapidly silting up before the watercourse of the Gombás Stream was changed. Here we can find several species of plants and animals that are characteristic of flood areas, and it provides a suitable habitat for some migrating bird species like cormorants, grey herons or black-headed gulls.
