ORNITHOLIDAYS TOUR TO HUNGARY

ORNITHOLIDAYS’ TOUR TO HUNGARY Spring Tour 5 May to 12 May 2007 A Personal Diary Leaders: Tony Pym and Gábor Simay Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 ...
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ORNITHOLIDAYS’ TOUR TO HUNGARY Spring Tour 5 May to 12 May 2007 A Personal Diary

Leaders: Tony Pym and Gábor Simay

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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ORNITHOLIDAYS’ TOUR TO HUNGARY Spring Tour 5 May to 12 May 2007 A Personal Diary

Saturday 5 May It was the start of the Bank Holiday weekend yet Heathrow was surprisingly quiet. Maybe it was our early start, as our flight time meant the group needed to meet at 0550. Many had already checked-in by the time I arrived and within minutes of our scheduled meeting time all our group were accounted for. The British Airways flight left virtually on schedule and soon we were underway, en route to Budapest, a flight time of two-and-three quarter hours. Entry formalities were straightforward, solely showing our passports, and our luggage was soon on the carousel. In the arrivals hall Gabor, our specialist birding guide who was to be with us for the duration of the holiday, met us. We boarded our bus and started the journey to Sárospatak. For most of the journey we travelled the M3, a main highway, which was not brilliant for birds but a number of Common Buzzards kept our interest and Marsh Harriers were surprisingly 'common' with more than 10 seen on the journey (plus a couple of their rarer cousin, the Montagu's Harrier). We stopped to eat our packed lunches at a service area, which was a known viewpoint for Imperial Eagle – a pair had been breeding nearby for many years. We soon had the first bird soaring to then land on an electricity pylon. Unfortunately it was quite distant but once in the scope the white shoulder patches were obvious. This proved a good stopping spot with Crested Larks, Northern Wheatears and a fine Hobby made a close flypast. We continued our journey, adding our first White Storks on the way to the Rokoczy Castle. Mature parkland surrounded this stately pile and on leaving the vehicle Blackcaps could be heard singing, a Pied Flycatcher put in an appearance, and a Eurasian Nuthatch worked its way up one the many tree trunks. Soon a Black Redstart was found, bouncing along a stonewall and typically flicking its rusty-coloured tail (by the way, Redstart comes from the Anglo-Saxon word steort meaning 'tail'). I spotted a pair of Wrynecks that quickly disappeared but, on using the tape, we soon had one flying over our heads to land and return the call. This was a great bird for everybody and one that can be difficult to find once breeding is underway. The walk was topped off by a nice male Serin, a very yellow individual that was found by James. Pleased with our first day's ‘introduction’ to Hungarian birds we drove to the hotel and checked-in, agreeing to meet for an early dinner. A table was laid out for us in the restaurant and the agreeable food was accompanied by complimentary wine that went down well. We retired early this evening, after a long day spent travelling. Sunday 6 May We met for breakfast at 0700 and had left the hotel by 0800, complete with our packed lunches aboard. Not far from the town we stopped to pick up another guide - his name was Zoltan Petrovics, though called Zoli for short. He worked as a ranger in the Zemplén Hills. We went for a long walk, in all about five hours, but it was taken at our own pace. For most of the way this went through some very attractive mature woodland. Birding was excellent; Red-backed Shrikes and Barred Warblers got us started, in the more open scrubby areas. We found Hawfinches, a bird that Margaret had always wanted to see. A gaudy male Golden Oriole impressed everyone with its brightness of colour whilst the soft purring calls of Turtle Doves were always in the background. Another Imperial Eagle was scoped as it perched at distance but we could still see the creamy-golden shawl, over the crown and nape - we were to get flight views of this particular individual, being mobbed by Ravens, later in the early afternoon. Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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A Eurasian Jay calling continually from a small copse guided us to a roosting Tawny Owl, then another call, a Grey-headed Woodpecker (sounding like an ‘unhappy/sad’ Green Woodpecker), which was traced and found clinging to a dead tree. Inside the woodland Wood Warblers sang and we found a stunning male Collared Flycatcher. Using the tape, we called in a Firecrest and a Willow Tit appeared briefly alongside it. Zoli had a bird in mind for us. We were shown the nest site for an uncommon woodpecker, the Whitebacked. As we waited for the bird to return another woodpecker called in the distance. Zoli picked up a fallen branch and began bashing a tree trunk - a Black Woodpecker came flying-in to this imitation of its drumming. Soon the White-backed was back at the nest hole, with its bill full of food for the young inside. We had not finished with woodpeckers though. Another, scarce woodpecker was on the cards and one that many of the group had not seen in the UK. We tried the tape for Lesser Spotted and, right on cue, this sparrow-sized bird came flying towards us. It had been a 'woodpecker morning' with five species. We ate our packed lunches and watched as a male Goshawk displayed over its territory and a Honeybuzzard passed over very high. We drove to another site of Zoli’s and within a very short walk from the road heard some songbirds scolding. It was another owl they had found, this time a Ural Owl. We watched this first-rate bird for some time as it looked intently back at us…. it is quite a fearless species, and the nest was close-by. We dropped Zoli at the train station and went for a short stroll, from one end to the other of the local park. A Hawfinch was feeding alongside one of the paths and a Spotted Flycatcher was catching late flying insects. We returned to our hotel after a most successful day in the field. Monday 7 May Our breakfast was served at 0700. Once more we stopped for Zoli alongside the road as we drove to our first birding stop. It was within a vineyard, where we had views of the hills. As we drove in we unintentionally disturbed a Hobby from one of the fence posts, but this dashing little falcon flew only a short distance to land further up the track. This morning was overcast and our hoped-for raptors didn't lift in the poor weather. We decided to leave and visit another site. On the way we made a comfort stop at a small restaurant where we decided the freshly ground coffee was too good to pass up. A recently arrived Icterine Warbler sang loudly from a tall tree outside this restaurant. In Zoli’s village we photographed the nesting White Storks on a cottage roof before continuing to a disused quarry. This was one of the known locations for Eagle Owl. As we got off the bus a River Warbler began singing from undergrowth close by but the views for most were dire or non-existent. Then to make matters worse the rain started…and it became heavier. We walked into the quarry in the rain, searched without success for the owl. Maybe it had retreated into one of the many crevices of the rock face? We walked downhill, the bus following, to another place for River Warbler. A couple of birds were singing but in the poor conditions of wind and rain, none were showing out in the open. After a lunch stop, and a Syrian Woodpecker that came to the tape, we moved on to another large rock face. Zoli knew the Eagle Owls were nesting here. The weather had improved, it was even getting quite hot, and through the telescopes we could make out a chick on a rocky ledge. Only a part of the adult was visible, the top of its head, with the prominent ear tufts moving gently in the breeze. It took a while for everyone to get his or her focus on what was the bird (and what wasn’t!) With the improving weather it seemed potentially good for soaring raptors, so we headed back to the same early morning site. This time a number of birds were up. Most notable was a small passage of Honeybuzzards, at least 10 birds passed overhead. Two Short-toed Eagles were a nice sighting, as were the five Black Storks using the thermals, but the lone Lesser Spotted Eagle was just too distant for Les to happily add to his list. We pulled into a quarry entrance close to the hotel. Our hope was still to have better views of Eagle Owl. Gabor pointed out a ledge where there was another large chick. There was no sign of the adult birds though. Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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We walked further along the path from where I began scoping the quarry face, only to find a further chick, but this one literally was on the ground. It too was large, and it appeared to have fallen from the ledge and we wondered if its bigger sibling had pushed it out? With no adults visible Gabor and myself agreed we should not approach closer. This species, although large, is sensitive to disturbance whilst breeding - the adults had to be aware of the chicks, and indeed of us being in the close area. To try to see an adult better I suggested we delay dinner, put it back to a later time, and return to the quarry at dusk. At the hotel we had time to freshen-up before returning to the quarry. It was to prove the right decision. We positioned ourselves at distance from the rock face and around 2000 an adult Eagle Owl just magically appeared on top of a large bush. A most impressive owl for everyone to see! We ate late, and by the time we had completed the birdlog it was well into the evening. As a nightcap we tried the local, and famous, Tokaj wine, a sweet dessert wine, with the compliments of Ornitholidays. POSTSCRIPT – On returning home I have checked the behaviour of breeding Eagle Owls. You will not be surprised to know that ‘the pair-adults roost separately, usually a few hundred metres apart’ and they roost often ‘on the ground at the foot of thickly-foliaged trees or under bushes’. They have between one and four chicks depending on food availability, two is the average. The good news to report is that the young are ‘known to make walking excursions from the nest, even as far as 200 metres’(!) And, the adults still feed them, so our grounded youngster may well fledge! Tuesday 8 May After breakfast we loaded the vehicle, paid our bills, and set off in the bus. We had a number of birding stops planned. The first, back at the River Warbler site, but it had become very windy and difficult to see any birds. The River Warbler did appear momentarily on top of a dead thistle but was seen by only a few - Jean was lucky to be looking through the scope at the time and focused on the bird. We drove to the raptor viewpoint in the vineyard but again were thwarted by the strong wind. The few raptors we did see being catapulted at speed by the strength of the wind. It was frustrating birding and we decided on an early lunch at the very nice restaurant where we had coffee yesterday; we all liked the food here. Before starting the journey southwards there was one other ‘stakeout’ for us to try locally. It was a large sandy steep bank and we were not sure if the birds that nested here had yet returned from tropical Africa. At last some luck today.…the European Bee-eaters were there! About 70 of these vivid birds were seen, and some were already prospecting the holes as nest sites, others were pair-bonding with the males feeding the females with bees and insects. Another stakeout on this journey was for the Short-toed Lark. Hungary has only one place where this bird breeds but the wind was howling and to find any small lark was impossible. I think any bird rising to fly would have been blown tens of metres. Woodland would be better birding, where we could get into some cover. We found the perfect place late afternoon. It took a little effort but we found a singing Short-toed Treecreeper and another woodpecker, number seven, Middle-spotted Woodpecker. We arrived at the Hotel Trofea near Nadudvar. A large reed-fringed lake was at the edge of the car park and looked most inviting for birding. After checking-in we met at the bar where we chatted before dinner, which was served in baronial splendour – a huge table with high-backed chairs and even a pseudo minstrel gallery. After the log call it was time to retire. I lay in bed listening to the beautiful song of a Nightingale, its singing penetrating the stillness. Wednesday 9 May An optional early morning birding walk was offered, the meeting time 0615. We scanned the lake at the hotel to find a Black-crowned Night-Heron having problems trying to swallow a huge catfish, the attempt went on for at least half-hour. Two Little Bitterns were seen in the edge of the reeds and we watched a Common Nightingale as it sang from dense cover.

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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After breakfast we left the hotel to head into the Hortobágy National Park. We had just begun the journey when a large falcon was seen to fly up to a pylon. As suspected it was a Saker. Hungary has a healthy population of this powerful falcon, probably the highest in Europe. Gabor took us to one of his stakeouts; a nest that contained an adult Long-eared Owl with two chicks. From here we carried on, stopping for some of the commoner birds like Sedge Warbler and Yellow Wagtail, as we crossed farm tracks to reach a wetland. We had heard that a few days back a number of Great Snipe had been seen. This is a very uncommon passage migrant in Hungary (indeed, anywhere in Europe), all records having to be submitted to the Hungarian Rarities Committee, yet this spring there was a remarkable gathering of 21 birds, all in this same area. Gabor donned his wellies, as he was to wade into the flooded areas whilst we watched for anything flushed. In the distant pools a number of waders were flying over the rushes and reeds. Black-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpipers, Redshanks and lone Greenshank and Spotted Redshank were tallied. The first few wet areas did not produce the snipe. I suggested we go directly to the original small flooded area where they had been seen and we were lucky. The birds had not all departed north, and Gabor flushed two birds. The key features had been discussed in advance and the flight views were excellent. This is the first time that Ornitholidays have recorded this species on a Hungary tour…. and we have run it now 44 times! We headed for lunch. Today we had booked a restaurant specialising in fish. The main course was a fish soup. Our next birding stop was at a watchtower, which overlooked another wetland. The star bird was, without doubt, a subadult White-tailed Eagle that looked enormous at the water’s edge. We saw a Long-legged Buzzard on the way to our last site. Gabor thought the European Rollers may not be back, but they were! We trained our binoculars onto two handsome European Rollers and whilst we took turns at the scopes a male Red-footed Falcon passed behind us. Four Lesser Grey Shrikes were using the bushes as vantage points to drop onto any insect prey. It had been another good day in the field and we returned to the hotel. Thursday 10 May The early bird walk was along the path at the edge of the hotel’s lake. An Icterine Warbler sang above our heads and a Savi's Warbler started its insect-like ‘reeling’ song from the reeds but stayed hidden. In the far distance we picked up a Saker Falcon. After breakfast we drove to an extensive reedbed. Our objective here was Moustached Warbler. Sedge, Savi’s, Reed and Great Reed Warblers were all in song and Bearded Tits came flying past giving their distinctive ‘ping' calls. A Moustached Warbler began singing and twice there were very brief views of the bird. With the breeze the reeds were swaying and keeping many species down low. We had virtually given up when Les picked up a bird with a 'good eye-strip'. I looked through the scope wondering if it was to be another Sedge Warbler but, sure enough, it was the Moustached with its very dark crown, broad eyestripe and short primaries – well done, Les! We had lunch at a restaurant in Hortobágy village. They served traditional Hungarian goulash, the meat coming from the local grey cattle. Three musicians played Hungarian and Viennese-style music for us as we tucked in. We were taken to a Red-footed Falcon colony on the way to collect one of the park rangers. The birds were coming and going from a wood where the National Park had erected nest boxes for them. Last year more than 30 pairs bred here. We passed though a village that had White Storks nesting on every electricity pole. We arrived on time, 1600, to meet Gábor Kovács, the ranger. He is well known and highly respected in Hungary as he had discovered the first Aquatic Warbler breeding grounds in the country (there are still only

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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two, the second much smaller). He was to take us into a restricted area for Great Bustard and Aquatic Warbler. We parked the bus and began walking out onto open plains with scattered fields of crops. We soon had a male Great Bustard flying across our field of view and another that took to the air from long grass quite close to us. We walked on to a hillock, a watch point - a trumpeting call had us looking skywards as a flock of 18 Cranes passed over. Pete and Liz kept tracking a Red Fox that moved across the grassland. We couldn’t pick out any more bustards so began the return walk. The rotund shape of a bird, on top of a barn, was a Little Owl making owl number five for us. On the drive out from this spot a female Great Bustard raised its head from the crop and then took flight. The Aquatic Warbler site was next. We hadn’t walked far from the vehicle when the ranger pointed to a singing Aquatic. He explained that the timing, late afternoon, was important to see this bird and this is the key time they sing and perform song flights to hold territory. Although this site has about 600 pairs it must be remembered that this is the main site and the species is on the IUCN red list. We were late back to the hotel this evening but, once again, it had been very worthwhile for the variety of birds we had seen. Friday 11 May After breakfast we left to catch our train! It was ‘all aboard’ as we piled in to the four open carriages. Operated by the National Park, it travels about four kilometres passing fishponds and marsh on both sides. We walked from the 'station' following a grass path into the marshes. Squacco Herons in their summer finery were the first birds and soon we were seeing many more herons and other waterbirds. The list was impressive and included Spoonbills, Greylags, Ferruginous Ducks, both Great and Pygmy Cormorants and, not forgetting, the elegant summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebes that Betty wanted so much to see. A female Red-crested Pochard flew over, an uncommon Hungarian breeding species with only some 100 pairs in the country. Many hundreds of marsh terns patrolled the water; Whiskered, Black and White-winged Terns all intermixed. As we approached one of the hides we called in Bearded Tits using the tape and, once inside the hide, had a view over one of the main lakes. An immature White-tailed Eagle spooked most of the ducks whilst background clatter came from singing Sedge, Savi’s, Reed and Great Reed Warblers. We returned by train to find Barna waiting with the bus to take us back to the hotel for lunch. Our afternoon outing was to the settlement pools of a sugar beet factory. On the first pool I pointed out an adult summerplumaged Little Gull to Les and Joan and a small party of Garganey were put into the scope for Derek and Mary. The other pools held a number of waders, which we watched from the vehicle. Wood Sandpipers were, by far, the commonest shorebird but also Curlew Sandpiper, Avocets and Black-winged Stilts mingled. Many of the male Ruffs were in summer plumage showing a real variety of head and neck colours. We returned to the hotel and met again later at the bar. Our farewell dinner was in the main dining room where we toasted the success of the tour and completed the birdlist - we had done well, with some remarkable birds. Saturday 12 May We had an early morning start for the run to the airport. Breakfast was served at 0600 and we left once the luggage was onboard. The drive to Budapest was to take three hours. We said goodbye to our driver, Barna, at the airport drop-off. Gabor came into the terminal with us before saying farewell. The formalities of check-in and security were unhurried and we had plenty of time for tea and coffee or any duty-free shopping before the flight was called. We departed on time at 1240, the flight taking just over twoand-half hours to Heathrow. The group said goodbye to each other at the baggage carousel, before going our separate ways to travel home.

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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Party List Peter Farmer and Elizabeth Jones of Warden Hill, Cheltenham Derek and Jean Robinson of Colchester, Essex Margaret Padwick of Ashtead, Surrey James Jerram of St. Albans, Hertfordshire Mary Yale of London SW5 Betty Moore of Winchelsea, East Sussex Les and Joan Green of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex Acknowledgements Some outstanding birds were seen on this one-week trip to Hungary - in the main due to the knowledge of species, habitats and locations by our specialist guide, Gabor; many thanks to him for showing us his country and its wildlife. Also the local rangers, Zoli and Gabor 2, took us to particular sites for special birds and our gratitude to them. Thanks go to Barna, our driver, who ferried us around, kept the bus clean, and loaded the luggage. Special thanks to all of you for coming on this tour; I hope you have fond memories of Hungary and its birds. I thoroughly enjoyed your company and hope I’ll see you on another Ornitholidays’ tour in the near future. Tony Pym Ornitholidays 29 Straight Mile Romsey Hants SO51 9BB Tel: 01794 519445 Email: [email protected] May 2007

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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Itinerary and Weather 5 May

Flew Heathrow to Budapest. Drove to Sárospatak with birding stops en route Overcast, light showers on journey, warm 18°C

6 May

Zemplén Hills. Leisurely hike and various walks Overcast, pleasantly warm 20°C

7 May

Zemplén Hills. Walks Rain, some heavy during morning, sunny afternoon 21°C

8 May

a.m Zemplén Hills. p.m Drove to Nadudvar with birding stops en route Bright but very windy 23°C

9 May

Hortobágy National Park (northern part) Overcast, occasional sun, wind still brisk 20°C

10 May

Hortobágy National Park (central and south-west part) Chilly start, increasing to become very warm, wind gentle 25°C

11 May

a.m Hortobágy National Park. Train to marshes. p.m Sugar beet factory settling pools Very warm with pleasant breeze 26°C

12 May

Drove to Budapest. Flew Budapest to Heathrow Overcast with light rain 17°C

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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CHECKLIST OF BIRDS SEEN DURING TOUR Max no of days seen or heard

Location

Abundance scale Maximum seen (on one day) 1 = 1-4 2 = 5-9 3 = 10-99 4 = 100-999

Z = Zemplén Hills T = Transit: Budapest/Zemplén Hills Zemplén Hills/ Hortobágy Hortobágy/Budapest H = Hortobágy (and surrounding area)

Maximum = 8 h = heard only

SPECIES

No of days recorded

Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Red-necked Grebe Black-necked Grebe Great Cormorant Pygmy Cormorant Great Bittern Little Bittern Black-crowned Night-Heron Squacco Heron Little Egret Great White Egret Grey Heron Purple Heron Black Stork White Stork Eurasian Spoonbill Mute Swan White-fronted Goose Greylag Goose Eurasian Wigeon Gadwall Common Teal Mallard Garganey Northern Shoveler Red-crested Pochard Common Pochard Ferruginous Duck Tufted Duck Honey-buzzard White-tailed Eagle Short-toed Eagle Marsh Harrier Montagu's Harrier Northern Goshawk Eurasian Sparrowhawk Common Buzzard Long-legged Buzzard Lesser Spotted Eagle Eastern Imperial Eagle 1 Common Kestrel Red-footed Falcon Hobby Saker Falcon Common Quail Common Pheasant Water Rail

2 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 3 1 4 8 6 3 4 8 2 1 1 3 1 2 1 5 3 3 1 3 2 1 3 2 2 7 3 1 2 7 1 1 2 6 2 2 2 7 -

Location

Z 2h

Z

Z Z Z

T T

Z Z

T

Z

Z

Abundance scale H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

Z H Z Z

T T

H H

Z Z Z

T

H H

Z Z Z

T T

Z

T

1h Z 1h

T

H H H H H H

1 3 1 3 3 2 1 1 2 2 1 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 1 4 1 3 1 3 2 3 1 3 2 2 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 1

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Tachybaptus ruficollis Podiceps cristatus Podiceps grisegena Podiceps nigricollis Phalacrocorax carbo Phalacrocorax pygmeus Botaurus stellaris Ixobrychus minutus Nycticorax nycticorax Ardeola ralloides Egretta garzetta Ardea alba Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Ciconia nigra Ciconia ciconia Platalea leucorodia Cygnus olor Anser albifrons Anser anser Anas penelope Anas strepera Anas crecca Anas platyrhynchos Anas querquedula Anas clypeata Netta rufina Aythya ferina Aythya nyroca Aythya fuligula Pernis apivorus Haliaeetus albicilla Circaetus gallicus Circus aeruginosus Circus pygargus Accipiter gentilis Accipiter nisus Buteo buteo Buteo rufinus Aquila pomarina Aquila heliaca Falco tinnunculus Falco vespertinus Falco subbuteo Falco cherrug Coturnix coturnix Phasianus colchicus Rallus aquaticus Page 9

Little Crake Corncrake Moorhen Common Coot Common Crane Great Bustard Black-winged Stilt Avocet Little Ringed Plover Northern Lapwing Curlew Sandpiper Ruff Great Snipe Common Snipe Black-tailed Godwit Eurasian Curlew Spotted Redshank Common Redshank Common Greenshank Wood Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Little Gull Black-headed Gull Caspian Gull 2 Common Tern Whiskered Tern Black Tern White-winged Black Tern Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Stock Dove Wood Pigeon Collared Dove Turtle Dove Common Cuckoo Eagle Owl Little Owl Tawny Owl Ural Owl Long-eared Owl Common Swift European Bee-eater European Roller Hoopoe Wryneck Grey-headed Woodpecker Black Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Syrian Woodpecker Middle Spotted Woodpecker White-backed Woodpecker Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Crested Lark Woodlark Skylark Sand Martin Barn Swallow House Martin Tawny Pipit Red-throated Pipit Yellow Wagtail White Wagtail Wren European Robin

1 2 4 1 1 2 2 1 6 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 3 1 1 4 1 3 2 2 2 8 1 8 8 6 7 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 4 1 8 6 2 1 3 7 -

1h

H Z Z Z

Z

T

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

T T T T

H H H H

T

T

T

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

H Z Z H Z T 1h 2h

Z Z Z Z Z Z

H H H

T

T T

Z Z

1h

1h 1h

Z Z

T

H

T

H H H H H H H H

Z Z

T T T

Z Z Z

T

1 1 1 4 3 1 3 2 1 3 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 3 1 2 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 1 2 3 2 1 1

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

Porzana parva Crex crex Gallinula chloropus Fulica atra Grus grus Otis tarda Himantopus himantopus Recurvirostra avosetta Charadrius dubius Vanellus vanellus Calidris ferruginea Philomachus pugnax Gallinago media Gallinago gallinago Limosa limosa Numenius arquata Tringa erythropus Tringa totanus Tringa nebularis Tringa glareola Actitis hypoleucos Larus minutus Larus ridibundus Larus cachinnans Sterna hirundo Chlidonias hybridus Chlidonias niger Chlidonias leucopterus Columba livia Columba oenas Columba palumbus Streptopelia decaocto Streptopelia turtur Cuculus canorus Bubo bubo Athene noctua Strix aluco Strix uralensis Asio otus Apus apus Merops apiaster Coracias garrulus Upupa epops Jynx torquilla Picas canus Dryocopus martius Dendrocopos major Dendrocopos syriacus Dendrocopos medius Dendrocopos leucotos Dendrocopos minor Galerida cristata Lullula arborea Alauda arvensis Riparia riparia Hirundo rustica Delichon urbica Anthus campestris Anthus cervinus Motacilla flava Motacilla alba Troglodytes troglodytes Erithacus rubecula Page 10

Common Nightingale Black Redstart Whinchat Common Stonechat Northern Wheatear Blackbird Song Thrush River Warbler Savi's Warbler Moustached Warbler Aquatic Warbler Sedge Warbler Marsh Warbler Reed Warbler Great Reed Warbler Icterine Warbler Barred Warbler Lesser Whitethroat Common Whitethroat Garden Warbler Blackcap Wood Warbler Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Goldcrest Firecrest Spotted Flycatcher Pied Flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Bearded Tit Long-tailed Tit Willow Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Eurasian Nuthatch Eurasian Treecreeper Short-toed Treecreeper Golden Oriole Red-backed Shrike Lesser Grey Shrike Eurasian Jay Magpie Eurasian Jackdaw Rook Hooded Crow 3 Common Raven Common Starling House Sparrow Tree Sparrow Chaffinch European Serin Greenfinch Goldfinch Linnet Hawfinch Yellowhammer Reed Bunting Corn Bunting

3 5 2 5 5 7 3 2 1 1 1 3 2 4 2 3 4 2 1 3 1 1 1 7 2 2 2 2 1 5 3 3 1 6 7 3 2 7 3 5 6 2 7 7 7 7 4 6 7 2 2 2 3 3

3h

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

T T T T T T

1h

H H H H H H H H

1h

1h 2h 2h 2h 1h

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

1h

Z Z Z Z Z Z

1h 1h

Z Z Z Z

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

H H H H H H

T

T

H H H H

T H

T T T

H H H H

T T T T T T T

H

T T T T

H H H H

T T T T T T T

H H H H

H H H

H H H

H H

1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 1 3 3 4 3 1 4 2 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 1 3

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

Luscinia megarhynchos Phoenicurus ochruros Saxicola rubetra Saxicola rubicola Oenanthe oenanthe Turdus merula Turdus philomelos Locustella fluviatilis Locustella luscinioides Acrocephalus melanopogon Acrocephalus paludicola Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Acrocephalus palustris Acrocephalus scirpaceus Acrocephalus arundinaceus Hippolais icterina Sylvia nisoria Sylvia curruca Sylvia communis Sylvia borin Sylvia atricapilla Phylloscopus sibilatrix Phylloscopus collybita Phylloscopus trochilus Regulus regulus Regulus ignicapillus Muscicapa striata Ficedula hypoleuca Ficedula albicollis Panurus biarmicus Aegithalos caudatus Parus montana Parus ater Parus caeruleus Parus major Sitta europaea Certhia familiaris Certhia brachydactyla Oriolus oriolus Lanius collurio Lanius minor Garrulus glandarius Pica pica Corvus monedula Corvus frugilegus Corvus cornix Corvus corax Sturnus vulgaris Passer domesticus Passer montanus Fringilla coelebs Serinus serinus Carduelis chloris Carduelis carduelis Carduelis cannabina Coccothraustes coccothraustes Emberiza citrinella Emberiza schoeniclus Miliaria calandra

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TAXONOMIC NOTES 1 Imperial Eagle has been split and is now called Eastern Imperial Eagle to avoid confusion with Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti 2 Caspian Gull was formerly considered a race of Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis, itself a split from Herring Gull L. argentatus 3 Hooded Crow has now been formally split from Carrion Crow Corvus corone CHECKLIST OF MAMMALS SEEN DURING TOUR Red Fox Roe Deer Red Squirrel Brown Hare Eastern European Hedgehog

1 5 1 6 1

Z Z Z

T T

H H H H

1 3 1 2 1

Vulpes vulpes Capreolus capreolus Sciurus vulgaris Lepus capensis Erinaceus concolor

Additional mammals seen were a vole sp. (possibly Bank Vole Clethrionomys glareolus), a mouse sp. and a bat sp. Also, reptiles recorded were European Pond Terrapin, Fire Salamander, Yellow-bellied Toad, Red-bellied Toad, European Tree Frog, Marsh Frog, Grass Snake and a lizard sp. Of note also were two interesting insects; the burrowing Field Cricket and the emergence of many hundreds of caterpillars of Lackey Moth These lists represent those birds and other animals seen by party members of this tour.

© Ornitholidays

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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Five species of owl were seen during this one-week tour! Front cover – Long-eared Owl with chick Left – Ural Owl Below – Tawny Owl

Left – Aquatic Warbler An IUCN RED list species, categorised as ‘vulnerable’, with the world population decreasing

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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Above – Woodlark Below – ‘The Hortobágy Fishponds Express’ ….. what a way to go birding!

All photographs taken by Tony Pym on the Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary, May 2007

Ornitholidays’ Tour to Hungary 5 May to 12 May 2007

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