Birdwatching in Hungary

By Gerard Gorman gerard@probirder.com

Hungary is a great place to watch birds! With a rich and varied birdlife, miles of unspoiled countryside and a value-for-money tourist infrastructure, Hungary is now firmly established as one of Europe's best birdwatching holiday destinations. Some exciting birds, which are very rare or absent in western Europe, can be seen here. Species such as Saker Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Pygmy Cormorant, White-winged Black Tern, Ferruginous Duck, Great Bustard, Ural Owl, Aquatic and River Warblers, Syrian and White-backed Woodpeckers and Lesser Grey Shrike, all breed. In autumn there is a wonderful migration of Common Cranes (around 100,000 in October) and flocks of wildfowl including the rare Lesser White-fronted Goose. Birds such as White Stork, Bluethroat, Collared Flycatcher, Penduline Tit, Black Woodpecker and many more, can even be seen in or close to Budapest. The most typical wildlife habitat in Hungary is arguably the "puszta" (open, lowland, grassy steppe) and this is a great habitat in which to watch birds, but there are also many wetlands, riverine woods and forested hills. Key times to visit Hungary to go birdwatching are in late April (shorebird passage), May (most birds breeding), August (return migration) and October (crane and wildfowl passage), though there is something to see all year round.

For more on birds, birdwatching tours and expert guiding in Hungary visit these websites:

BIRDING IN HUNGARY: www.birdinghungary.com
PROBIRDER: www.probirder.com

Watch butterflies in Hungary

Or look up these books on birds and birdwatching in Hungary:
The Birds of Hungary (A&C Black)
Birding in Eastern Europe (Wildsounds)