This exceptional tour offers the chance to see some 20 species of bat, plus a number of rodents and shrews, thanks to existing monitoring programmes run by expert park rangers.
We visit the Zemplén Hills, where summer bat roosts hold alcathoe, whiskered, Leisler’s and particoloured bats among others. Licenced mist-netting here may catch Bechstein’s, Mediterranean horseshoe, pond and both lesser and greater mouse-eared bats.
In Aggtelek National Park small-mammal trapping may reveal lesser and bicoloured white-toothed shrews, herb and striped field mice, among others. We also check boxes for forest, hazel and edible dormice and visit huge roosts of Geoffroy’s bats.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Budapest and transfer to the Zemplén Hills
We fly from London to Budapest where we meet our local guide and are transferred to our base in the beautiful Zemplén Hills.
Accommodation: Volgykapu Guesthouse, 3-nights
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Days 2-3
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Explore the Zemplén Hills
During our two full days in the Zemplén Hills we visit old buildings which host summer roosts of a range of bats including alcathoe, whiskered, Leisler’s, particoloured and Schreiber’s bent-winged. Among other species, mist-netting surveys here may catch Bechstein’s, Mediterranean horseshoe, Brandt’s, greater and lesser mouse-eared and grey long-eared bats.
A wonderful range of other wildlife is found here including Ural and Eurasian eagle owls, fire salamander and most of Europe’s woodpeckers.
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Days 4-7
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Explore Aggtelek National Park
Following our transfer to Aggtelek National Park, we have a further three full days to explore this remarkable area of limestone karst and caves, in addition to visiting Slovak Karst National Park in neighbouring Slovakia.
We visit huge roosts of Geoffroy’s bats, in addition to greater, lesser and Mediterranean horseshoe bats. Licensed live-trapping surveys for small mammals here may reveal the presence of lesser and bicoloured white-toothed shrews, wood mouse, yellow-necked mouse, herb field mouse, striped field mouse and numerous other small mammals. Visits to special nest boxes may allow us to see hazel, forest and edible dormice.
There are plenty of good birds here too, including northern goshawk, lesser spotted eagle, black, middle-spotted and white-backed woodpeckers and the handsome hawfinch.
Accommodation: Penzion Reva Guesthouse, 4-nights
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Day 8:
Return to Budapest and fly to the UK
We make the return journey to Budapest and take an afternoon flight to the UK.
Please note: You should note that this tour involves long mist-netting sessions at night. Some meal times are therefore adjusted to allow for rest, and siestas are often offered in the afternoons.
