Hungary Autumn Spectacular
Saturday 10th to Saturday 17th October 2009
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Autumn is a very special season on the famous Hortobágy ‘Puszta’, the Great
Hungarian Plain. Enjoy grandstand views from the watchtowers on the Crane
migration flight path! Among thousands of Bean and White-fronted Geese we
check for Lesser White-fronts. There are always many interesting birds at
the fishponds such as Ferruginous Duck, Pygmy Cormorant and vast numbers of
waders, herons, egrets and wildfowl. The evenings will be highlighted by the
arrival of waves of thousands of trumpeting Cranes flying low overhead. It
will be an unforgettable experience! Then we move base travelling through
raptor feeding areas to the Bukk Hills where seven species of woodpecker are
possible.
The evenings will be spent in typical regional restaurants, serving
traditional local cuisine, whilst having the opportunity to savour the most
famous Hungarian wines.
Day 1: Depart London for Budapest and then transfer to our delightful
hotel.
Overnight – Hortobágy
Days 2 - 4: We explore the Hortobágy National Park where landscapes
are dramatic and wild! The dry Hortobágy steppe (Puszta) comprises open
grassland with stands of trees, where Great Grey Shrikes perch boldly and
Little Owls sit on barn roofs. In the arid northern steppe habitat we will
look for Hortobágy specialities such as Saker & Eastern Imperial Eagles and
also Rough-legged Buzzard. Even more surprises await us at this magical time
of year as “trips” of Dotterel use the southern steppe as their traditional
migration stopover. Stone-curlews and Great Bustards are in small groups in
the heart of the National Park, while near the Amphitheatre we hope for
photo opportunities of a roost of 60+ Long-eared Owls! In total contrast,
the fishponds have reedbeds that conceal Bearded & Penduline Tits, while the
ponds themselves attract regional specialities
such as Pygmy Cormorants and Ferruginous Ducks and we can expect to see
White-tailed Eagles, countless Marsh Harriers, Ruffs, Greenshanks and
Spotted Redshanks. In the evenings, from the watchtowers, we’ll observe the
breathtaking spectacle of thousands of trumpeting Cranes coming in to roost.
Overnights - Hortobágy
Days 5 - 7: After driving up to the Bukk Hills we hike through
extensive oak and beech woods, an excellent area for Hawfinch, Short-toed
Treecreeper and woodpeckers, including the elusive White-backed: even the
secretive Ural Owl has been seen here. The hills are very good for
observation of raptors, including Eastern Imperial Eagle and Northern
Goshawk. Ravens are common. In a pretty valley nearby there are Rock
Buntings, Grey-headed Woodpecker and with a bit of luck, Wallcreeper. Eagle
Owls have been heard and seen. An optional wine-tasting visit can be
arranged to the famous local wine cellars.
Overnight – Nosvaj, Bukk Hills
Day 8: Birdwatching locally and en route to Budapest airport, before
catching our return flight to the UK.