Download 2014 Brochure (.pdf) - Ornitholidays

H U N G A R Y
Little Bittern
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Budapest and
transfer to Sárospatak
Days 2-3 Sárospatak
Days 4-7 Hajduszoboszló
Day 8 Depart Budapest
Party Size
Maximum of 14 clients (two leaders with
more than seven clients).
Accommodation
Comfortable accommodation in twin/double
and single rooms with private facilities.
Transport
By private coach.
Includes
All flights, meals, accommodation, transport,
entry fees, services of the leaders, VAT,
airport taxes and tips.
Gradings
Good
Aquatic Warbler
Days 4 to 7
We transfer to the Hotel Trofea near
Hajduszoboszló. This will be our base for the next
four nights for exploring the Hortobágy. The
grounds of this magnificent hunting lodge include
a large lake, where Little Bitterns nest, and Blackcrowned
Night Herons roost during the day. At
night you can lie in bed and listen to the chorus
of Great Reed Warblers, Common Nightingale
and Common Cuckoo, which can sing all night at
this time of year – kept awake by the song of
Common Nightingale, what a thought! We begin
our exploration of this vast national park, which is
an enormous mosaic of marshes, wooded river
valleys, wetlands and commercial fishponds,
interspersed with farmland. This area is home to
some very specialised species such as Great
Bustard, Bluethroat (of the white-spotted
subspecies), Aquatic Warbler, Collared Pratincole
and the magnificent Saker Falcon. The Halasto
fishponds and marshes resound to the songs of
Great Reed, Grasshopper, Savi’s, River and
Marsh Warblers, while Eurasian Penduline Tit call
plaintively from hidden sites amongst the
riverside willows. Black, Whiskered and Whitewinged
Terns will all be dipping to the water’s
surface, and Red-necked and Black-necked
Grebes will be feeding their young. Eurasian
Spoonbill and many species of heron ply
between their feeding areas and nesting-sites in
the reeds, while Ferruginous Ducks are relatively
common on the marshes here. Great Bitterns
often fly from one reed bed to another in search
of frogs. Vast colonies of Great Cormorant
include smaller numbers of nesting Pygmy
Cormorant. The ancient puszta is still guarded by
Csikos horsemen who herd the Grey Cattle and
Racka sheep, while Montagu’s Harrier fly over the
flocks of Great Bustard feeding in adjoining fields.
One highlight will be a visit to a colony of Redfooted
Falcons, some of which are now nesting in
boxes, with Long-eared Owls as close
occupants! In the last few years sightings of
Long-legged Buzzard have increased and we
should spot the distinctive outline of this scarce
raptor which has now established a breeding
population. We shall spend much of our time
exploring all these different habitats to make sure
we see all the specialities. Near Debrecen we visit
a superb area, which is a classic example of true
ancient woodland and a delight to explore. These
woods hold Black, Great Spotted, Middle
Spotted, Lesser Spotted and European Green
Woodpeckers, as well as large numbers of
Collared Flycatcher and the occasional Pied
Flycatcher. European Honey Buzzard and
Northern Goshawk are frequently seen soaring
over the high trees. The elusive Hawfinch is often
heard as it utters its clipped ‘chip’ note.
Day 8
Today, we make the transfer from Hajduszoboszló
to Budapest, where we catch our return
scheduled flight to London.
160
Warm
Low
Normal
Relaxed
Good
Easy to Moderate
Scheduled
Moustached Warbler
To make a booking please call Ornitholidays on 01794 519445
143