The main feature of this season's birdwatching is the bird migration. Throughout the Autumn huge flocks of geese and Common Cranes are arriving. After long or short stays, they may migrate to the south or spend the cold and harsh winter here with us. Tens of thousands of geese and ducks are very attractive prey for the raptors: White-tailed Eagles and Peregrines are appearing around them.

 

Day 1:

We will meet you at Budapest Airport and after a two-hour transfer, we will arrive at your accommodation in Túrkeve. If time allows after your arrival, we will take a walk in Túrkeve and the local area around the house. Birds in the gardens of your accommodation often include Siryan Woodpecker, Little Owl, Song Trush and Hawfinch.

Day 2:

We will visit the surrounding fishponds. We will observe the birds of the area’s swamps, marshes, lakes and reed beds. On the open water surfaces we will see Ferruginous Ducks, Pochards, Great-crested Grebes. Mixed flocks of White great egrets and Grey herons are looking for prey on the drained and freshly exposed mudflats. In the sky, flocks of Common Cranes are flying towards the south. In the reed beds Bearded Tits are moving around. If we are lucky, we will find the Great Black-Headed Gulll and Pygmy Cormorant as well.

Day 3:

Today we will explore the largest reservoir in our local area. This huge lake is a meeting point for thousands of geese and ducks. Among the ducks we will find Mallards, Pochards, Ferrunginous ducks, Pintails, Wigeons, Gadwalls and Showelers. The great flocks of geese mainly consists of Greylag and white-fronted geese. These tens of thousands of geese and ducks are a very attractive prey for the White-tailed Eagles. On the nearby Puszta Hen Harriers, Rough-legged Buzzards and Curlew are looking for prey. In the sky, flocks of Common Cranes are flying towards the south. If we are lucky we will see the Saker falcon and the Imperial Eagle.

Day 4:

This is the day for forest birdwatching. During our tour we will visit the old oak copse, riverside woodlands and deciduous woodland plantations, where we can observe the migratory songbirds. At this time of year the leaf wablers are the most active on migration. We can spot the Black, Syrian, Green, Great, Middle and Lesser Spotted woodpeckers and sometimes we can see the Grey-headed Woodpecker as well. If we are lucky, during our tour we will see one or two of the Ring Ouzel, Redstart and Crossbill too.

Day 5:

We will visit the world-famous Hungarian Puszta. We will explore the area and observe the flocks of Great Bustards. During our birdwatching, we are most likely to meet with Common Cranes, Hen Harriers, Imperial and White-tailed Eagles. On the Puszta, Buzzards, Rough-legged Buzzards, Peregrines and Merlins are looking for prey. With a bit of luck Sakers, Pallid Harriers and Short-eared Owls can be seen as well. Before dinner, we take a short walk to see the main local roosting place for the Long-eared Owl, where at this time of the year there are around one hundred birds to a flock.

Day 6:

We will visit two big fishpond systems, which are playing a major role in the autumn bird migration. We will observe the gathering flocks of ducks and geese. Black-nacked grebes and gulls are swimming in the fishponds. We can observe migratory waders on the drained fishponds. With a bit of luck Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope and Great Black-headed Gulls can be spotted as well.

Day 7:

If the timeing of your return flight allows, we can visit the centre of the local Environmental Conservation Association and see bird-ringing being as well.

During our tours we are expected to see 100-130 different bird species.

If you need further information about this tour, please contact us!

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