Crane migration in Hungary

(October)

The Hungarian late Autumn atmosphere resounds with the cry of the migratory cranes. The main gathering point for the birds flying from their breeding places to the South is here in Hungary. During the day these charming birds can be observed on the harvested maize fields and on other agricultural areas, but in the evenings thousands of them are moving back to roost, where sometimes 65000 birds gather. An amazing spectacle you will never forget.

 

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 the accommodation often include grey-headed woodpecker, fieldfare, waxwing and brambling.

Day 2:

We will visit the surrounding fishponds and observe the birds of the area’s swamps, marshes, lakes and reed beds. On the open water surfaces we will meet with ferruginous ducks, pochards, teals and great-crested grebes. The mixed flocks of the great white egrets and grey herons are looking for food on the muddy shores of the empty fishponds. In the sky, flocks of common cranes are flying towards the south. In the reed beds, bearded tits are moving about. If we are lucky we will find little gull and pygmy cormorant as well. In the afternoon we will visit different agricultural areas where the common cranes are feeding, later we will go to see how the birds follow their evening path across the sky to the roosting place in the light of the setting sun.

Day 3:

Today we are going to visit the world-famous Hortobágy. On the fishponds, where we will birdwatch, we can observe tens of thousands of geese and ducks: mallard, wigeon, pochard, teal, gadwall, shoveler and pintail are the most numerous, but among them we may find goldeneye, long-tailed and ferruginous ducks. Among the big flocks of geese the common ones are greylag, bean and white-fronted geese, but among these birds we can usually find rare birds such as: lesser white-fronted and red-breasted geese as well. These ponds are the roosting places for the cranes, so in the late afternoon we will take the best observation points in order to fully enjoy this unique natural event.

Day 4:

We are going to explore the biggest reservoir and the nearby Puszta in our local area. This huge lake is a meeting point for the thousands of geese and ducks. Once again we will see mallards, wigeons, pochards, garganeys, teals, gadwalls, shovelers and pintails. Among the big flocks of geese the common ones are greylag, bean and white-fronted geese, but among these birds we can usually find rare birds such as: lesser white-fronted and red-breasted geese and long tailed ducks as well. These tens of thousands of geese and ducks are very attractive prey for the white-tailed eagles. On the nearby Puszta hen harriers, rough-legged buzzards and great grey shrikes are looking for prey. In the sky flocks of common cranes are flying towards the south. If we are lucky we will see saker falcon and imperial eagle too. In the late afternoon we will visit different agricultural areas where the common cranes are feeding, later we will go to see how the birds follow their evening route across the sky to the roosting place in the light of the setting sun.

Day 5:

During our tours we are expected to see 110-130 different bird species.

The price of this tour: 600 GBP Now only 500 GBP!

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