Crane coming into roost at a Hortobagy fishpond. Thousands of Cranes, including over coming into roost

Transcription

1 Hungary in Autumn Wednesday 16 Wednesday 23 October 2013 Leaders: Barrie Cooper Local guides Highlights Crane coming into roost at a Hortobagy fishpond Thousands of Cranes, including over coming into roost Thousands of geese including 2 Lesser White-fronted and 1 Red-breasted One Sociable Plover Thirteen species of raptor including Saker, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Long Legged Buzzard Five species of owl including Ural Owl and Eagle Owl Eight species of woodpecker Some very good meals and weather 1

2 Wednesday 16 October 2013 Cloudy, showers Sometimes the best laid plans can come to grief at British airports and Gatwick delivered on this occasion. Technical problems due to water on the wires resulted in a communication breakdown and people being sent to the wrong gate numbers. Unfortunately, Pauline and Jill were victims of this chaos and missed our flight to Budapest. On arrival at a very wet Budapest a further glitch occurred as Janos and the bus that was due to collect us had encountered a mechanical problem and had to be replaced. The contingency plan was to hire an airport shuttle bus to take us to the restaurant that was around thirty minutes from the airport. As we reaching the end of a very good meal, Janos arrived with the replacement bus. The rain and dark made it difficult to admire the architectural splendour of the restaurant which, according to Janos, is the largest thatched roof building in Europe. After a couple of hours of driving through the rain we reached our hotel to end a rather eventful day. Thursday 17 October 2013 Sunny morning, overcast for part of the afternoon with a light shower After a buffet breakfast we gathered in the car park for the start of what became a very memorable day. Before getting in the minibus, Tree Sparrows gained our attention to the backdrop of the sound of Common Cranes. After less than a mile of driving, we saw our first Cranes and a total of around 450 were feeding on maize that was left over from the harvest. Two Red Admiral butterflies were making the most of the first sunshine in two days while a few Skylark and Siskin flew over. Throughout the day, the frequent sight of Cranes feeding in roadside fields was something that we never grew tired of. It was good to see many juveniles in family groups; it seems that their population expansion has had another good year. Rooks were another bird that seemed to be in almost every field. After awhile we reached a good area of puszta the traditional steppe grassland of Hungary. We were now inside the Hortobagy National Park. As we drove down a track, a raptor in a tree caught our attention it was a splendid Saker Falcon. We got out of the van to enjoy scope views and then someone noticed another one in trees further behind. Two close Sakers was a real bonus and when a Kestrel started to give them some harassment the size difference was very noticeable. When the Sakers gave us a flight display, the broad wings and long tail were evident; it really is a magnificent raptor and to get such good views with the sunlight illuminating them was perfect. Crested Lark and Meadow Pipit didn t quite match their standard, but the two larks were enjoyed by everyone as they obligingly fed on the track just 20 metres away. We drove further down the track without anything new except Brown Hare. Returning back up the track, incredibly a different Saker was in the same clump of trees as two Long-legged Buzzards. When the Long-leggeds took off they eventually were seen flying alongside Common Buzzards to give another good comparison. The Saker s flight comparison was with a Sparrowhawk and the latter was dwarfed by the falcon. The brilliant morning continued when we reached a village and found a total of seventeen Long-eared Owls roosting in the trees. A lot of photographs were taken of these obliging birds and it was interesting to notice the different plumage patterns with one or two striking pale birds. While we were watching the owls a Syrian Woodpecker flew in and, at one stage, was almost in the same binocular view as one of the owls. Driving on, a distant Great Grey Shrike was seen and at least twenty Roe Deer. Lunch was at a traditional restaurant were the local speciality of fish soup was served up. After lunch a small group of Fieldfares were seen from the vehicle as we made our way to some 2

3 fish ponds. Unfortunately, the reported Lesser White-fronted Geese could not be found, but there were plenty of Greylag and Greater White-fronts and three Tundra Bean Geese. A flock of Lapwing was on the far side along with three Curlew and a few Great White Egret. Penduline and Bearded Tits were calling in the reeds and four Bearded were eventually seen. A Marsh Harrier and a couple of Reed Buntings added to the list and a Black Redstart on a derelict house gave everyone reasonable views. Moving on, better views were had of Great Grey Shrike and 60+ Corn Buntings on roadside wires showed well. Another fishpond provided us with some more good birds. A total of 457 Ferruginous Ducks were counted and they were joined by Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, a female Greater Scaup, a male and female Red-crested Pochard (although most only saw the female) and a small number of female Pintail. An adult White-tailed Eagle obligingly flew into a tree on the other side of the fish pond and when a Hooded Crow joined it. The size of the eagle compared to the crow enabled everyone to grasp how large it is. As we drove back to the hotel, the sight of cranes going to roost provided the perfect symmetry to end a brilliant day. During dinner, our absent friends, Jill and Pauline, finally arrived to make the group numbers complete. Friday 18 October 2013 Mainly sunny, windy at times As yesterday, the sound of Cranes heralded the start of another day as we gathered outside the entrance to our hotel. Our first destination was an area of grassland where our prize was waiting 14 Great Bustards sharing a field with Roe Deer. We watched the bustards for quite some time and one treated us to his attempts at practice display he wasn t fully adult so probably had some way to go before he could impress the girls, nevertheless it was entertaining to watch his friskiness. There were several Corn Bunting and even one or two in song. Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Great Grey Shrike shared our attention with a distant Whitetailed Eagle, but it was the Bustards that were the highlight. When they flew off we decided it was time for us to move as well. A wetland in the south of the Hortobagy was our next port of call and it was full of birds. There had been a report of two Lesser White-fronted Geese and after some lengthy searching through the large number of Greylag and Greater White-fronted, eventually Janos found them. Everyone in the group managed to see these rare birds and it was a good species to have on the list. An adult and immature Whitetailed Eagle had been putting the geese up before we found our prize and good views were had of the eagles when they sat on the dykes. A distant Saker was a more typical view of this falcon compared to yesterday. Pygmy Cormorant was another good bird seen at this excellent wetland. After a picnic lunch at the ponds, a superb Steppe Tarantula was found a great creature to find outside its hole and several of us got photos of it. Migrant Hawker and Ruddy Darter were two species of dragonflies that were identified along with a couple of late Clouded Yellow butterflies. It had been a great couple of hours there. Moving on to some fishponds, a group of 8 Penduline Tits gave everyone a decent view. One of the ponds was good for grebes with Great-crested, Black-necked and Little seen. A rather tatty Peregrine with a full crop flew past to add to the raptor list. Following another report, we moved onto another fishpond. One Red-breasted Goose was our target and, eventually, it was seen by some of the group. Four Canada Geese added further variety and is actually a good record for Hungary. There were several waders here including Dunlin, Avocet and a flying Common Snipe spotted by Mo. We drove round to the other side of the fishpond to wait for the evening spectacle. Waders there included Black and Bar-tailed Godwits plus Little Ringed Plover. The geese had been moving out for the previous hour or so and they were replaced by increasing numbers of Cranes as darkness approached. The sight and sound of Cranes coming in to roost 3

4 against the backdrop of a setting sun and a blood-red sky was awesome a true wildlife spectacle. As the sky grew darker, the bright figure of the planet Venus made another reference backdrop for the Cranes, while in another part of the sky a full moon provided another canvas for the Cranes to paint their magic. You really had to be there to appreciate the true magnificence of this wonderful avian airshow. Thirty thousand cranes, setting sun, Venus and a full moon all seen from one small place in Hungary we live on an amazing planet. Saturday 19 October 2013 Sunny, warm in the afternoon, less wind The usual sight of Cranes in the roadside fields started our day with a male Stonechat welcoming us as we arrived as an area of puszta. A newt was our first creature of interest and a Red Fox was seen on a mound that gave it a vantage point in the flat landscape. There several Meadow Pipits around and one, later two Red-throated Pipits, gave very brief flyover views. A Lapland Bunting and Golden Plover were two more flyover species. Two male Hen Harriers were a welcome sight, but unfortunately we failed to see the Dotterel which had been there a few days earlier. Other interesting creatures seen included Mole Cricket, Fire-bellied Toad and Agile Frog. It had been a beautiful morning and the walk had been a very pleasant experience of the traditional grassland found here. We drove onto Hortobagy village where we had an excellent goulash stew, followed by a look in the National Park visitor centre. Six Long-eared Owls were found roosting in trees close to the restaurant, which gave another opportunity to photograph this beautiful species. A return to some of yesterday s fish ponds was on the agenda for the afternoon. Ted found our first Coot of the trip and Little and Great-crested Grebe were on the same pond. Several Chiffchaff were in nearby bushes and an active Hornet s nest was in a cavity in a tree next to the van. Another pond held two female Greater Scaup but nothing new for the trip. We moved to the pond that held the Red-breasted Goose yesterday in the hope of finding it again for those who failed to see it. Searching through the Greylag and the Greater white-fronts failed to find their smaller cousin. An immature White-tailed Eagle put everything up as it came down and made a poor attempt to take a Mallard. However, it did rearrange the geese so gave us the incentive to search meticulously through the hordes again. It didn t take long to find the Red-breasted Goose and the sun was positioned perfectly to show off its beautiful plumage patterns. Fortunately it was not surrounded by too many geese so did not do the disappearing act of yesterday, so everyone managed to get very good telescope views of this most beautiful goose. In between searches of the geese, waders such as Spotted Redshank, Dunlin and Avocet were seen. With everybody happy, we drove round to the other side of this large pond to study the gulls. Amongst the numerous Caspian Gulls, there was Yellow-legged, Common and a juvenile Baltic Gull. Meanwhile the Cranes were moving in preparation for their evening arrival on the pond. But after the previous night s spectacle we decided to return to the hotel at the end of another good day. Sunday 20 October 2013 Sunny, warm The day began with a female Kingfisher obligingly perched on a reed at the edge of the lake adjacent to the hotel. The dawn chorus of Cranes was going to be our last for this trip because we were checking out of our hotel to head for the Zemplen Hills. We made a brief stop to see woolly pigs before our next destination - an area of grassland in the hope of seeing Rough-legged Buzzard. After a short walk, one was found flying and hovering in close proximity to a Common Buzzard. Seeing the pair together provided a good opportunity to 4

5 compare the two species. Another RLB was also seen while we there. A report of a Long-billed Dowitcher took us to a fishpond. Penduline and Bearded Tits were among the first birds we saw. Waders on the far side of the pond included Curlew, Dunlin, Ruff and Lapwing, but no Dowitcher. As late morning approached we made our way to Debrecen Woods. Nuthatch was our first new species and a calling male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker eventually showed really well. A Green Woodpecker was heard, but not seen. However, a Middle Spotted Woodpecker was enjoyed by all before we had our excellent picnic lunch. It was now decision time do we go to a fishpond were a Sociable Plover had been found that morning? Or do we head off to the hills? The power of democracy resulted in a Hungarian twitch, so we headed back to the Hortobagy, to the fishpond where we had seen the Lesser White-fronted Goose. As we entered the track off the main road, a juvenile Red-backed Shrike was on top of a bush. Just 60 metres further along the track a Great Grey Shrike was posing with the sun bringing out its beauty to stunning effect. After these two welcome distractions, we proceeded along the track in search of our quarry. Fortunately, when we arrived, the local warden was up the observation tower and could immediately give us directions on how to find the Sociable Plover amongst the large flock of Northern Lapwings. Compared to the Lapwings, the relatively plain plumage and pale supercilium of the SP enabled it to be easily seen through the scopes by all the group. After watching the bird for around half an hour, it flew around with the Lapwings before eventually flying off into the distance. The flight views were an added bonus and enabled the group to see its distinctive wing pattern. Time to go and make our way back through Debrecen and off to the Zemplen Hills and our hotel for the next three nights. Monday 21 October 2013 Sunny, warm Most of the group began the day with a pre-breakfast stroll near the hotel. Green, Grey-headed and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard and a Middle Spotted flew over. A Hawfinch sat at the top of a tree for several minutes allowing everyone the opportunity to enjoy scope views. Two Ravens flew over after gaining our attention with their croaking call. A Robin sang on a log pile as we made our way back to the hotel for breakfast. A drive to a good area of forest was the scene for a very pleasant walk and an opportunity to appreciate the autumn colours. There were some good birds here as well. A few Yellowhammers in an open area were first up as a Mistle Thrush sat in a tree. Two White-backed Woodpeckers obligingly gave very good scope views but were surpassed by a Grey-headed Woodpecker. The GHW did a few circuits of the group to ensure that everyone had excellent views of this attractive woodpecker. A Middle Spotted Woodpecker had earlier given us reasonable views. On return to the van, Goldcrest was heard and, to everyone s satisfaction, gave us very good views. We drove off to a rural restaurant where we had a rather large and enjoyable lunch. A drive to the plain in search of Imperial Eagle was on the menu after lunch. A local contact of Janos had conveniently located two and when we arrived one was on the ground feeding on a Hamster. It took off and gave us an excellent flying display with its mate. The two did a lot of synchronised flying and occasional talon grasping. It was a perfect day for raptors in the warm sunshine and Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen with the eagles at times. After enjoying the eagles for quite awhile, we drove off but stopped less than 100 metres later because a juvenile Merlin was in the same field where the eagles had been. A further short drive down the road took us to the edge of a poplar plantation. Black Woodpecker was heard 5

6 and one, then two gave us brilliant flight and tree views. Incredibly two more Black Woodpeckers appeared and, at one stage, there were three very close to each on the same part of a tree. It was an amazing show and all in perfect light on them with the group being between the sun and the woodpeckers. As we drove back down the track a Great Grey Shrike and a Merlin intersected in flight. Another short drive and two more Imperial Eagles were found. On the other side of the road a male Hen Harrier was feeding on something with a Common Buzzard sat close by. Meanwhile another male Hen Harrier appeared flying beneath a tree where one of the Imperial Eagles was sitting. What an amazing afternoon of birding. The only sad note was a dead Otter at the side of the road. Our final destination was the edge of a forest where we waited for Eagle Owl to depart as they fly over to a local quarry. Our local guide, had seen them do that three times during the previous week, but they were not going to stick to their routine tonight. So after a brilliant day with excellent views of some interesting species our luck finally ran out. We were not too despondent because it had been a truly memorable day, and there was always tomorrow. Tuesday 22 October 2013 Misty morning, warm and sunny afternoon The pre-breakfast walk produced Marsh Tit, a flock of 30 Hawfinch, Syrian Woodpecker and a Tawny Owl at the top of a covered chimney. The first stop after breakfast was a rendezvous with Zoli in a different area of forest from yesterday. Less than five minutes after leaving the vehicle, he spotted our primary target a superb Ural Owl perched around thirty metres from the track. We all had good scope views before it flew off. Barrie relocated it and once again we were able to get scope views. Just a little further on, Janos had a brief view of another Ural Owl. Our pleasant walk gave us some very obliging Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, plus Common Treecreeper, Marsh Tit and Nuthatch. After a very satisfying walk, we had a fifteen minute drive to a disused quarry. Zoli soon spotted the bird we were looking for an Eagle Owl roosting in a tree on the far side. Once again we had lengthy scope views of this top predator. The mist was clearing as the morning progressed and by the time we had our picnic lunch it was warm, sunny and tee-shirt weather for some of the group. Sparrowhawk and Syrian Woodpecker were the two more interesting species seen while we picnicked. A drive into the hills and we found that gem of a bird Long-tailed Tit. At least five of the white headed form showed very well to the delight of everyone. Next up was a thirteenth century castle. Apart from Black Redstart there was not too much of interest in terms of birds until a Goshawk flew purposely past. Just as half the group were back in the vehicle Susan spotted a Red Squirrel running past some of the parked cars. A search over some distant hills for Golden Eagle only (!) produced an adult and juvenile Imperial Eagle. Having achieved most of our objectives for the day, we returned to the hotel for a shower before going out to a local winery in Tokaj for dinner and some wine tasting. After seeing Ural and Eagle Owls on the same day, it was time to celebrate. The tasting of various types of white wine was great, and the meal was one of the finest that this particular leader has ever enjoyed on any trip. A superb day of birding with an exemplary meal brilliant. Wednesday 21 October 2013 Hot and sunny. 24 degrees at Budapest Airport at 4pm. 6

7 We began with a drive to a hill where another castle was perched. A walk through woodland up to the castle gave us an opportunity to enjoy the autumn colours. The leaves were falling like coloured leaves as the group made the walk up to the castle. Birds in the forest included Hawfinch, Brambling, Middle Spotted Woodpecker and Marsh Tit. After the pleasant hike through the forest we reached the ruined castle and several Black Redstarts immediately gained our attention. Nuthatches were searching the castle walls and linnets were using the ruins as lookouts. A Grey-headed Woodpecker was seen by some of the group. The fine weather on this Hungarian public holiday had brought the crowds to the castle as we were leaving our early start had given us the castle to ourselves. On return to the vehicle we waited for the rest of the group. Barrie scanned the distant hills and saw a large raptor which Janos scope revealed as a Golden Eagle our last new bird of the trip. The Ravens that flew with it gave a good comparison of size. Our drive to the Budapest Airport was interrupted by a picnic lunch stop at a gravel pit, but it was quiet with nothing to note. As we drove along the motorway, two White Storks in a field were of interest. According to Pauline, over 25 Common Buzzards were seen from the bus during that journey. We gave our thanks and farewells to Janos and Barna the driver. It had been a brilliant and very memorable trip. 7

8 Species List Birds Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus: Common in the Hortobágy area. Tundra Bean Goose Anser fabalis rossicus: Three were see at Bivalyhalom Fishponds. Greylag Goose Anser anser: Up to 6000 in the Hortobágy area. Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons: Hundreds were seen in the Hortobágy area. Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus: Two adults were seen at Andaháza. Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis: An adult at Elep Fishponds. Canada Goose Branta canadensis: Four adults were seen at Elep Fishponds. Mute Swan Cygnus olor: Two were seen on the gravel pits near Miskolc. Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna: A single male at Bivalyhalom Fishponds. Gadwall Anas strepera: Several sightings on the wetlands of Hortobágy. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope: Several sightings on the wetlands of Hortobágy. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos: Common. Thousands at Elep Fishponds. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata: Few in the Hortobágy area. Northern Pintail Anas acuta: Several sightings on the wetlands of Hortobágy. Eurasian Teal Anas crecca: Hundreds on the drained fishponds of Hortobágy. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina: A male and a female was seen at Fényes Fishponds. Common Pochard Aythya ferina: Up to a 100 were seen at Fényes Fishponds. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca: An amazing flock of 457 was seen at Fényes Fishponds. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula: About 60 were seen at Fényes Fishponds. Greater Scaup Aythya marila: One female was seen at Fényes Fishponds. Goldeneye Bucephala clangula: One male was seen at Fényes Fishponds. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis: Several at Elep Fishponds. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus: Up to 35 at Elep Fishponds. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis: Three birds at Elep Fishponds. White Stork Ciconia ciconia: One in the Zemplén and two more in the Hortobágy. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: Common in the Hortobágy area. Great Egret Egretta alba: Common in the Hortobágy area. Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus: About 15 birds were seen at Andaháza. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo: Common. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla: Several excellent views in the Hortobágy area. Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus: Several sightings on the wetlands of Hortobágy. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus: Superb views of both sexes in the Zemplén. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus: Daily encounters on the tour. Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis: A fine male was seen by some in the Zemplén. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo: It was very common throughout the tour. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus: Two were seen in the Hortobágy area. Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus: Two early arrivals were seen at Nagy Vókonya. Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca: Three adults and a juvenile seen in the Zemplén Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos: One was seen onour last morning in the Zemplén. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus: Fairly common throughout the tour. Merlin Falco columbarius: Two were seen in the Zemplén. Saker Falco cherrug: Excellent views of three in the Hortobágy area. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus: One was seen at Elep Fishponds. Great Bustard Otis tarda: Excellent looks of a flock of 14 individuals on the Hortobágy. Water Rail Rallus aquaticus (H): Heard a few times in the Hortobágy area. Spotted Crake Porzana porzana: A leader only bird at Csécs Fishpond. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: Three sightings in the Hortobágy area. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra: Small flocks at various wetlands and fishponds. Common Crane Grus grus: Amazing experience of 30,000 at Elep Fishponds. Large numbers seen every day in the Hortobágy area. Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta: About 12 were seen at Elep Fishponds. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus: Huge flocks at various wetlands (up to 1200). Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria: A juvenile bird at Andaháza wetland. Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria: Three were seen at Angyalháza puszta. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola: Regular sightings of juveniles at various wetlands. 8

9 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius: Five late individuals at Elep Fishpond. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago: Two sightings on the Hortobágy. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa: Four birds at Elep Fishponds. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica: A juvenile bird at Elep Fishponds. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata: Several sightings in the Hortobágy area. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus: Regularly encountered on the mudflats of Hortobágy. Dunlin Calidris alpina: Flocks of up to 120 were seen in the Hortobágy area. Ruff Philomachus pugnax: Juvenile flocks were still common in the Hortobágy area. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus: Common in the Hortobágy area. Common Gull Larus canus: Several individuals at Elep Fishponds. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus: A juvenile was seen at Elep Fishponds. Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans: The commonest large gull in the Hortobágy area. Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis: Several were seen mixed in with the previous species. Rock Dove Columba livia: A very common resident throughout the tour. Stock Dove Columba oenas: Just a few were seen. Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus: Several were seen on the tour. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto: Very common in the villages. Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo: A very fine male was seen in the Zemplén Hills. Tawny Owl Strix aluco: A grey individual was seen at Komlóska in the chimney. Ural Owl Strix uralensis: Excellent look sof this secialty in the Zemplén. Long-eared Owl Asia otus: Up to 17 was seen in Balmazújváros and some at Hortobágy. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis: Nice looks in the Trófea Hotel garden. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor: A fine male in Debrecen Great Wood. Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius: Several sightings in the Zemplén. White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos: A pair in the Zemplén. Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus: Two sightings of this eastern species. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major: Common. Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius: Amazing show of 4 birds together in the Zemplén. European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis: Brief sightings in the Zemplén. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus: Fantastic looks of a cooperative male! Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio: A very late juvenile was seen at Andaháza. Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor: Several sightings throughout the tour. Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius: Common. Common Magpie Pica pica: Common. Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula: Few sightings on the Hortobágy. Rook Corvus frugilegus: A very commonly encountered bird throughout the tour. Hooded Crow Corvus corone: Common. Common Raven Corvus corax: Up to 10 in the Zemplén. Marsh Tit Parus palustris: Several were seen in the Zemplén.. Willow Tit Parus montanus (H): heard distantly on a pre-breakfast walk near Komlóska. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus: It was common throughout the tour. Great Tit Parus major: Common. Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus: Excellent looks at Elep Fishponds. Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus: Several sightings on the Hortobágy. Crested Lark Galerida cristata: Common. Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis: A few were seen on the Hortobágy. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus: Nice looks of white-headed birds in the Zemplén. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita: Best looks were obtained at Elep Fishponds. Goldcrest Regulus regulus: Superb looks of this minute bird in the Zemplén. Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (H): It was heard a few times in the Zemplén. Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea: Common. Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris: Two sightings in the Zemplén. Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris: Very common everywhere. Common Blackbird Turdus merula: Common. Fieldfare Turdus pilaris: Five were seen in flight at Komlóska. Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus: Fairly common in the Zemplén. European Robin Erithacus rubecula: Common. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros: 12 were seen at Regéc Castle. Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata: A few were seen in the Hortobágy. 9

10 House Sparrow Passer domesticus: It took us a while to see one. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus: Common. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea (H): One was heard at Komlóska. White Wagtail Motacilla alba: Several sightings on the tour. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis: Common on the Hortobágy. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus: Four were seen at Angyalháza puszta on our walk. Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs: Common. Brambling Fringilla montifringilla: A few were seen in the Zemplén. European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris: It was seen frequently in Komlóska. Siskin Carduelis spinus: Regularly encountered but mainly seen in flight. European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis: Common. Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina: Common. Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes: It was common in the Zemplén. Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra: Flocky of 50 were seen on the Hortobágy. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella: Several sightings in the Zemplén. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia: A female was seen by some at Regéc Castle. Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus: A few were seen on the Hortobágy. Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus: A fly over bird at Angyalháza puszta on our walk. Mammals Red Fox Otter (dead) Red deer Roe deer Red squirrel Brown hare Amphibians: Great Crested Newt Fire-bellied Toad Common Treefrog Agile Frog Edible Frog Green Toad Butterflies: Large White Small white Clouded Yellow Brimstone Peacock Red Admiral Painted lady Dragonflies: Migrant Hawker Ruddy Darter Other notable invertebrate: Lycosa singariensis (Steppe Tarantula) 10

11 A selection of photos Common crane Sociable Plover and Northern Lapwing Ural Owl Great Bustards White-backed woodpecker 11

12 Steppe Tarantula Long-eared owl 12