Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - Hungary in October

We had several birding holidays during the last 2 weeks and despite bad weather experienced fantastic birding and good numbers of migrants.

There was a record number of Common Cranes in the Hortobagy with 100,400 birds counted. We had very good views of huge flocks flying into night roosts. Dotterels were still present at the end of the month with more than hundred birds observed, while Stone Curlews left around 20 October. Lesser White-fronted Geese were daily observed in a flock of 50 to 55 birds. Two roosts of Long-eared Owls held 12 and 70 specimens, some giving very close views.
Other noteworthy birds from the Hortobagy included Great Spotted Eagle, very good views of Imperial and White-tailed Eagle, Saker and Rough-legged Buzzard.

The Bukk and Zemplen Hills in the North of Hungary were very colourful with autumn foliage turning inot yellow, orange and red. Our groups had good views of Ural Owl, Black, White-backed, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers, as well as Hawfinches and Rock Buntings.