Home | Birdwatching | Hungarian Bird Areas | Birds in Hungary | Birding Tours | Guides | Gallery | Links | Contact Us

Bespoke Tours - Module 4 (three days)

Home
Birdwatching
Hungarian Bird Areas
Birds in Hungary
Birding Tours
Guides
Gallery
Links
Contact Us


Hortobágy


Day 1 - Hortobágy
IBA visited: 32
Key species: Lesser White-fronted Goose, Long-legged Buzzard, Saker, Common Crane

After a 90 minute drive from Budapest we will reach Hortobágy. During these days we will have one of the best birders of the Hortobágy, as our guide. We will do birding in the wooded steppe-like northern flatlands. These puszta-areas, including several artificial habitats, are excellent for raptors; there is a wide diversity. We can see
  • Long-legged Buzzard;
  • Saker; and most likely also
  • Lesser White-fronted Goose.
At sunset we can admire one of the Hortobágy's enchantments, tens of thousands of Common Cranes (symbol of the Hortobágy National Park), as they are pre-roosting and flying to their roosting place.

Day 2, 3- Hortobágy
Key species: Pygmy Cormorant, herons and ibises, Ferruginous Duck, Stone Curlew

Both days will consist of two parts. In the morning hours we will have programs in the puszta, when we will check both dry and low water covered grasslands, in order to find interesting birds. We are looking for birds as
  • Dotterel;
  • Lapland Bunting;
  • Stone Curlew; and
  • Lesser White-fronted Goose.
Early in the morning the puszta covered with "gossamers" provide a fascinating view at sunrise.

Lunch in Hortobágy, next to the famous architectural monument of this place, the "nine-arch" bridge, where there will be the opportunity to buy some souvenirs and to have a closer look at the bridge. Interrupting the birding, we can visit the local museum that gives us an introduction to the natural values of the Hortobágy.

During the afternoons we will visit the most famous and popular hot spot of Hungary, the Big Fish-Pond of Hortobágy. Furthermore, depending on the time and conditions we will check several other lakes and wet-lands.The Big Fish-Pond and in the event of a suitable water level also the other big lakes which diverse offer a wonderful views to the nature and bird lovers. It can be called the Eldorado for bird species. Over 300 bird species have been observed here so far by birders and in almost every season tens of thousands of birds can be seen. These lakes provide an unbelievable variety of species, also the birds of the neighbouring plains can be observed on the lakes and in their airspace. During the trip
  • Great White and Little Egret;
  • Night Heron;
  • Spoonbill; and the rare breeder
  • Lesser White-fronted Goose
can be seen anywhere.

There is a great chance to spot
  • Lesser White-fronted Goose;
  • Red-breasted Goose.
In additional, masses of resting geese can be also observed. Gulls, terns still occur here at this time of the year. This area offers new experience each time you visit it. Among the waterfowls there is a chance to find such rarity like
  • Pallas's Gull.
We can see the globally endangered
  • Ferruginous Duck.
During a 24 hour-bird-spotting competition in the autumn of 2003, the birders on the lakes observed 162 bird species.

If requested, we can enjoy again the pre-roosting and flying of several thousands or even tens of thousands of
  • Common Cranes
to their roosting place at sunset.

Home | Birdwatching | Hungarian Bird Areas | Birds in Hungary | Birding Tours | Guides | Gallery | Links | Contact Us
©2004 Hungarianbirdwatching.com . All rights reserved.