Good Reasons to Visit Hungary

Pygmy Cormorant
Lesser White-fronted Goose
Eastern Imperial Eagle
Red-footed Falcon
Saker Falcon
Great Bustard
Caspian Gull
Ural Owl
Black Woodpecker
White-backed Woodpecker
Syrian Woodpecker
Barred Warbler
River Warbler
Aquatic Warbler

Hungary

Hungary is now firmly established as one of the very best European birding destinations. With a hire-car, a good map, and copies of BIRDING IN EASTERN EUROPE and THE BIRDS OF HUNGARY, and as ever perhaps just a bit of luck, some very good birds will be seen. For example, from spring through summer in the lowlands east of the Danube Red-footed Falcons, Rollers and Lesser Grey Shrikes are not too difficult to find, most wetlands with reedbeds host Marsh Harriers, Purple Herons, Great White Egrets, Savi's and Great Reed Warblers, Bluethroats and Penduline Tits, and in the hill forests of the north Middle Spotted, Lesser Spotted and Black Woodpeckers are quite common. Birds like Red-backed Shrike, Serin, Black Redstart, Syrian Woodpecker and Golden Oriole are often quite common in and around settlements. Though there are over 1000 Great Bustards in the country, these are however very localised and will not usually be seen without detailed knowledge or a guide. The same is probably true for other specialities like White-backed Woodpecker, Ural Owl and Aquatic Warbler. Two others species, Saker Falcon and Eastern Imperial Eagle, have their European strongholds in Hungary.

Hungary is a land-locked country with a typical continental climate of warm summers and cold winters. The capital Budapest is the hub of the country with the only international airport and rail connections to most European cities. Even if one is only visiting the capital birds can still be found here, particularly woodpeckers and songbirds. Hill ranges in the north such as Aggtelek and Bukk have raptors, woodpeckers, owls and flycatchers and in summer masses of butterflies. But the real Hungarian speciality birds lie out on the puszta (lowland steppe and grazing land), so a visit to the Kiskunsag or the Hortobagy regions are recommended. All things considered late April (shorebird passage), May (breeding in full swing), August (return migration) and October (Cranes and wildfowl) are probably the best months to bird, though many species are resident and can be found all year round.

We are now in our 20th year of designing & guiding birding & wildlife tours in Hungary. Our classic original itineraries include: Woodpecker Tour - May Tour - Summer Tour - Autumn Crane Tour. Join us for a superb birding holiday experience in Hungary in 2007! For more on Hungary, its habitats and its birds visit our partner site: Birding Hungary