CRANES AND GEESE TOUR

The crane and geese migration is the most spectacular bird migration in Central Europe.

The main feature of this season’s birdwatching is the bird migration. Throughout the Autumn (October and November) huge flocks of Geese and Common Cranes 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 extremely attractive prey for the White-Tailed Eagles and Peregrine Falcon that are appearing in the area.

Destination: Hungary and Romania

Date: October and November

Size of group: 2-7 participants

Cost of the tour: 1140 EUR/person

Day 1:

We will meet you at the airport and after a 1–5-hour drive, we will arrive at your accommodation in Kisujszallas. If time allows after your arrival, we will take a walk in the town and the surrounding area of your accommodation. Birds during this short walk often include Syrian Woodpecker, Long-Eared Owl and Hawfinch.

Day 2:

We will visit two big fish farm systems, which are playing a major role in the autumn bird migration. On the fishponds Greylag and White Fronted Geese are swimming in the mixed flocks. Pochard, Pintail, Wigeon and Shoveler are swimming alongside the Mallards, but amongst the flocks of Ducks and Geese we can usually find rare birds such as Lesser White-Fronted and Red- Breasted Geese. These tens of thousands of Geese and Ducks are extremely attractive prey for the White-Tailed Eagle. Penduline and Bearded Tits can be spotted in the reeds.

Day 3:

Today we are going to explore the biggest reservoir in our local area. This is Lake Tisza which is the meeting point for thousands of Geese and Ducks. Among the ducks we will find Mallards and Pochard, but at this time of the year Tufted Ducks, Scaup, Velvet Scoters and Long Tailed Ducks also visit the lake. The great flocks of Geese consist of Greylag and White Fronted Geese, but among the flocks we can usually find rarities including Lesser White-Fronted and Red Breasted Geese. We also have a good chance to observe Divers, Grebes and Skuas.

Day 4:

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 and Rough-Legged Buzzards are looking for prey. With a bit of luck Saker Falcon, Short- Eared Owls, Merlin can be seen also. Before dinner we take a short walk to see the main roosting place for the Long-Eared Owls, at this time of year there are around one hundred birds roosting.

Day 5:

We will explore the biggest quarry in the Northeast Hungarian Mountains. Here we will look for Wallcreeper. In the nearby forest we can admire Bullfinch, Brambling, Firecrest and Grey and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers. If we are lucky during our tour, we will see one or two Crossbill, Alpine Accentor and Perigrine Falcon.

Day 6:

We will set off early in the morning for the Bihar mountains in Romania, which is about a 2-hour drive from Kisujszallas. It is an unspoiled mountain range with a beautiful habitat. The target species is the Ural Owl, and the Three-Toed Woodpecker. This Woodpecker cannot be found in Hungary, but here they can often be seen. We will also observe Dippers, Firecrest and Crossbill. If we are lucky, we will also see Golden Eagle and Pygmy Owl.

Day 7:

On the last day before the airport shuttle, if we have time we will walk around the town and visit the Long-Eared Owl roosting place we could see up to one hundred birds and a small number of Short-Eared Owls.