Hungary
Steppes and Forests in Autumn
Sunday 19 - Sunday 26 October 2008 (8 days)
Sunday 18 - Sunday 25 October 2009 (8 days)
We visit the fabulous steppes, lakes, and marshes of the Hortobágy and the Hungarian forests at the very best time for the spectacular migration of cranes and geese. Join us for some of the best autumn birdwatching in Europe!
The sweeping landscapes of the steppe country extend across a huge swathe of temperate Eurasia, eastwards to Mongolia and beyond. In only one place does a part of this vast steppe wilderness just stretch into Europe - the plains of Eastern Hungary. This is the Hortobágy, an ancient flood-plain that contains not only steppe grasslands, but also a chain of wetlands of international importance. One of Europe's largest national parks, the Hortobágy offers some of Europe's most exciting birdwatching, particularly in the autumn.
This is the main eastern flyway for Cranes in Europe. At their peak, there may be no less than 60,000 of these magnificent birds in the area. The sight of squadron upon squadron of them filling the sky with their wings, and the air with their calls as they go to roost, must surely be one of Europe's great wildlife spectacles.
During our stay we shall also go up into the forests of the Zemplen Hills, for a range of raptors and other forest specialities, including owls and woodpeckers, which can be relatively easy to see at this time of year.
Prices:
2008 - £ 1,375
2009 - £ 1,645
Single supps.:
2008 - £ 130
2009 - £ 165
Deposit: £ 300 per person
The price per person includes return flights from London - Budapest, airport taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, all meals, transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local leader, drinks, and other personal expenses.
For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Budapest/Budapest) please deduct £ 95 per person from the tour cost.
Leaders: Ray Nowicki and local guides
Itinerary
Days 1 - 4
We take a morning scheduled flight London - Budapest, and drive eastwards to the Hortobágy.
As well as the incredible spectacle of the Cranes, thousands of geese and other wildfowl are pouring through the Hortobágy. These are principally White-fronted Geese from Russia, but also include Bean Geese and a few Lesser White-fronted Geese each year - we have seen up to 70 of the latter on our previous visits.
The resident birds can be no less exciting at this time. In autumn, Great Bustards form flocks on the plains, which they share with migrant Stone Curlew and Dotterel. Raptor numbers can be impressive here, preying upon the abundance of Susliks and other small mammals, while Northern Grey Shrikes hawk from the roadside wires. Both Imperial and White-tailed Eagle, Long-legged and Rough-legged Buzzard, the breathtaking Saker Falcon, as well as Goshawk and Hen and Marsh Harriers can all be found in this remarkable area, and we have seen Spotted Eagle on two previous trips.
The Hortobágy fishponds will also be well worth a visit. These are large man-made lakes surrounded by reeds, which make a superb rich feeding ground for birds. These include Pygmy Cormorant, a variety of herons, wildfowl including Ferruginous Duck, and migrant waders. The reedbeds hold flocks of Bearded and Penduline Tits. Long-eared Owls also roost in the area - on a previous trip we counted no less than 74 birds!
Four nights Hortobágy
Days 5 - 7
Leaving the Hortobágy we drive to Debrecen Woods, some of the oldest oak woodland in the area. This productive area holds a good selection of eastern woodland species, including Middle Spotted and Black Woodpeckers and Hawfinch. In the afternoon we arrive at the attractive village of Tokaj, famous for its wines and its fine landscapes, close to the Slovakian border, where we stay for three nights.
The following day we drive up into the Zemplen Hills, which rise to almost 1,000m and are swathed in oak and beech woodland. These are home to no less than twelve species of raptor and a superb collection of woodpeckers, including Syrian, and the very rare White-backed Woodpecker, which has given us excellent views on previous trips. Flocks of Hawfinches make another fine sight here. One evening we'll head high into the hills for a chance of seeing Ural Owl - we have seen both Ural and Eagle Owls on the same evening on one trip!
Three nights Tokaj
Day 8
We drive back to Budapest before catching our return flight to London.
Please note that we can arrange optional extensions to the trip in Budapest, for a chance to spend a bit of time in this delightful city. Please let us know at time of booking.
Accommodation: Good hotels with all rooms en suite. For lunches we usually visit some excellent local restaurants, or picnic in the forest.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
Days 1 - 4
We take a morning scheduled flight London - Budapest, and drive eastwards to the Hortobágy.
As well as the incredible spectacle of the Cranes, thousands of geese and other wildfowl are pouring through the Hortobágy. These are principally White-fronted Geese from Russia, but also include Bean Geese and a few Lesser White-fronted Geese each year - we have seen up to 70 of the latter on our previous visits.
The resident birds can be no less exciting at this time. In autumn, Great Bustards form flocks on the plains, which they share with migrant Stone Curlew and Dotterel. Raptor numbers can be impressive here, preying upon the abundance of Susliks and other small mammals, while Northern Grey Shrikes hawk from the roadside wires. Both Imperial and White-tailed Eagle, Long-legged and Rough-legged Buzzard, the breathtaking Saker Falcon, as well as Goshawk and Hen and Marsh Harriers can all be found in this remarkable area, and we have seen Spotted Eagle on two previous trips.
The Hortobágy fishponds will also be well worth a visit. These are large man-made lakes surrounded by reeds, which make a superb rich feeding ground for birds. These include Pygmy Cormorant, a variety of herons, wildfowl including Ferruginous Duck, and migrant waders. The reedbeds hold flocks of Bearded and Penduline Tits. Long-eared Owls also roost in the area - on a previous trip we counted no less than 74 birds!
Four nights Hortobágy
Days 5 - 7
Leaving the Hortobágy we drive to Debrecen Woods, some of the oldest oak woodland in the area. This productive area holds a good selection of eastern woodland species, including Middle Spotted and Black Woodpeckers and Hawfinch. In the afternoon we arrive at the attractive village of Tokaj, famous for its wines and its fine landscapes, close to the Slovakian border, where we stay for three nights.
The following day we drive up into the Zemplen Hills, which rise to almost 1,000m and are swathed in oak and beech woodland. These are home to no less than twelve species of raptor and a superb collection of woodpeckers, including Syrian, and the very rare White-backed Woodpecker, which has given us excellent views on previous trips. Flocks of Hawfinches make another fine sight here. One evening we'll head high into the hills for a chance of seeing Ural Owl - we have seen both Ural and Eagle Owls on the same evening on one trip!
Three nights Tokaj
Day 8
We drive back to Budapest before catching our return flight to London.
Please note that we can arrange optional extensions to the trip in Budapest, for a chance to spend a bit of time in this delightful city. Please let us know at time of booking.
Accommodation: Good hotels with all rooms en suite. For lunches we usually visit some excellent local restaurants, or picnic in the forest.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients