Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - Winter birds in Hungary
Winter is the less busiest month in Hungary in terms of bird movements and birding. Still it brings many nice birds from the north to spend the cold months in the Carpathian Basin and there are many resident species that can be observed well on the snow-covered grasslands or in bare trees of the forests.
Geese are wintering commonly in Hungary although during periods of snow cover and severe cold they move further south. The most common are Greylag and Greater White-fronted Geese, but Tundra Bean Geese are also regularly found throughout. Red-breasted Geese can be seen in smaller flocks while the few Lesser White-fronted Geese are always difficult to find within the flocks of Greater White-fronts.
Raptors are well represented during winter with resident Imperial Eagles and wintering White-tailed Eagles flocking at feeding sites. Rough-legged Buzzards and Hen Harriers are not uncommon and resident Sakers can be seen throughout along with wintering Merlins and Peregrines. Goshawks are also easier to see during winter. 1 or 2 Greater Spotted Eagles are wintering each year in Hungary so you have good chances of seeing over 10 raptor species in a couple of days if birding in Hungary in winter.
Great Bustards can be seen in flocks during winter, sometimes you might see up to 50 or 100 birds in the Kiskunsag area. During severe weather they are fed to prevent migrating south that might cause many fatalities.
Owls are well represented too with large day roosts of Long-eared Owls where sometimes you can find single Short-eared Owls as well. Ural and Eagle Owls are resident and calling from late winter.
Winter is a good time to see woodpeckers especially in February when they are actively calling and drumming. At this time of the year you can find White-backed and Grey-headed Woodpecker in the hills, while Black, Middle Spotted and Syrian can also be observed in larger city parks in Budapest or Tata.
Large flocks of passerines congregate during winter. Most common are Fieldfares, but you can find Twites, Snow Buntings and also Redpolls and Waxwings in colder years.
Wallcreepers and Alpine Accentors spend the winter regularly at some sites and can be observed relatively easily.
Bearded Tits and Penduline Tits stay in Hungary for the winter and can be seen in the larger reedbeds. Hawfinches are common and they sometimes join flocks of Fieldfares in search of food.
So there is plenty of birds in Hungary during the winter to keep someone busy for a week. Birdwatching in Hungary is always full of good species and surprises.
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