Enjoy some of Europe’s best autumn birdwatching in the steppes, lakes and marshes of the Hortobágy and the Hungarian forests, at the peak time to see the spectacular migration of cranes and geese.
The sweeping landscapes of the steppe extend across a huge swathe of temperate Eurasia, eastwards to Mongolia. In only one place does a part of this vast steppe wilderness extend into Europe: the plains of eastern Hungary. The Hortobagy is an ancient floodplain that contains steppe grasslands and a chain of wetlands of international importance. We also visit the Zemplen Hills, close to the Slovakian border, home to an exciting range of raptors, owls and woodpeckers.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Fly to Budapest, & drive to the Hortobágy
Fly from London to Budapest and drive eastwards to the Hortobágy.
Accommodation: Bibic Nature Lodge, 4-nights
Days2-4: Hortobágy National Park
The Hortobagy in autumn is Europe’s main eastern flyway for cranes. At their peak there may be no fewer than 60,000 of these magnificent birds in the area. As well as the incredible spectacle of the cranes, we will watch thousands of migrating geese and other wildfowl pour through the park.
In autumn great bustards form flocks on the plains, which they share with migrant stone curlew and dotterel. The bustards can be surprisingly elusive and wary, but we usually manage to find them and get good views with the help of local experts. Raptor numbers can be impressive here too, preying upon the abundance of susliks (European ground squirrels) and other small mammals. Eastern imperial and white-tailed eagles, long-legged and rough-legged buzzards, hen and marsh harriers, goshawk and the breathtaking saker falcon are all found in this remarkable area, while great grey shrikes hawk from roadside wires.
Days5-7: Drive to Debrecen Woods; continue to Zemplén Hills
Leaving the Hortobágy we drive to Debrecen Woods, some of the oldest oak woodland in the area. In the afternoon we drive to the edge of the Zemplén Hills, where a range of raptors and other specialities, including owls and woodpeckers, can be relatively easily seen at this time of year.
We spend the next two days exploring these wonderful wooded hills. On these two days we drive up into the Zemplén Hills, which rise to almost 1,000 metres above sea level and are swathed in oak and beech woodland. These are home to no fewer 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 to see Ural owl: we have previously seen both Ural and eagle owls on the same evening!
Accommodation: Solyomvar Panzio, 3-nights
Day8: Drive back to Budapest & fly to the UK
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 8 daysfrom £2,195 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 daysfrom £1,995 pp
Single supplement:
From £250
Trip type:
Group Tour
Group size: 10
When to go: Oct
Group Departures: We are currently finalising future dates for this tour. Please contact us for further details.
Gábor has been interested in nature since a young age, and during his studies at the University of Debrecen, he expanded his knowledge on birds.
Spending most of his time in the field, Gábor carried out research on ground-nesting birds in the Hortobágy National Park. In 2008, he began working for the park as a full time warden in the Bihar Plain area – his favourite birding spot. He is also a member and secretary to the Hungarian Rarity Committee, and frequently visits other parts of Hungary, such as the Carpathian Basin, to study the birdlife.
The Hortobágy National Park comprises steppe grasslands, and a chain of wetlands of international importance. In autumn, huge numbers of cranes, geese and other wildfowl pour through, while resident birds include raptors and great bustards. The Hortobágy fishponds are also wildlife-rich.
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Where: Northeast Hungary
Ideal for viewing: great bustard, saker falcon, ferruginous duck, long-eared owl, Montagu’s harrier
The beautiful Zemplén Hills, on the border with Slovakia, are part of the North Hungarian Mountains, which in turn form part of the Carpathians. The hills' steep forested slopes are the site of several medieval stone castles, such as Sárospatak and Füzéri vár, and are home to many special birds.
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Where: Northeast Hungary
Ideal for viewing: eastern imperial eagle, northern goshawk, fire salamander, Ural owl, alcathoe bat
