Holidays > Worldwide Holidays > Hungary

On this short or longer birding break we visit Lake Tata and its adjacent woods, the Ferencmajor fishponds & the grasslands and wetlands of the Kiskunsag National Park. We will search for wintering and migrating geese and hope to see flocks of Greater White-fronted Goose, some of the endangered Lesser White-fronted Goose, both Tundra and Taiga Bean Geese and perhaps a few Red-breasted Geese

Guide/Guides: depending on numbers are Gerard Gorman and Hungarian guide/Martin McGill

Expected Birds

Below is a list of the birds that we can reasonably expect to see at this time of year in this location.
This is intended only as a guide and we cannot guarantee that we will see every species listed, however we may also see birds and other animals which are not listed

• Greater White-fronted Goose
• Taiga Bean Geese
• Tundra Bean Geese
• Red-breasted Geese
• Great Bustard
• White-tailed Eagle
• Saker Falcon
• Rough-legged Buzzard
• Great Grey Shrike
• Wallcreepers
• Middle Spotted Woodpecker
• Black Woodpecker
• Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
• Black Redstart
• Syrian
• Long Eared Owls

Itinerary

Below is our planned itinerary for the trip, although we try our best to stick to our itineraries, occasionally it does become necessary to change things around a little bit due to the weather or the presence/lack of birds at particular sites during the time of our visit.

On this short or longer birding break we visit Lake Tata and its adjacent woods, the Ferencmajor fishponds & the grasslands and wetlands of the Kiskunsag National Park. We will search for wintering and migrating geese and hope to see flocks of Greater White-fronted Goose, some of the endangered Lesser White-fronted Goose, both Tundra and Taiga Bean Geese and perhaps a few Red-breasted Geese. In addition there are also some special resident birds like Great Bustard, Saker Falcon, White-tailed Eagle, eight species of woodpecker and winter visitors such as Rough-legged Buzzard and Great Grey Shrike. In most years one or two Wallcreepers winter in stone quarries hereabouts and if this is the case we will visit the best site: on last year's trip they succeeded in seeing this fantastic bird.

Outline Itinerary for three night visit.

Arrive Budapest Airport (your flight should land before 1pm from many airports). At 1pm meet with Gerard at the airport and depart by road for Tata (1 hour west of Budapest). Birds near our hotel should include Hawfinch, Black Redstart and Syrian, Lesser Spotted, Middle Spotted & Black Woodpeckers. We should also see our first geese. Spend the night in Tata.

Today we will bird around Lake Tata itself, visit nearby fishponds and take in the nearest Wallcreeper site. We will also visit any reported Long-eared Owl roosts, which can number dozens of birds. Most of the geese hereabouts will be “grey” geese with chances of Red-breasted Geese scattered amongst them. White-tailed Eagles are usually here, too. We will also look for Grey-headed Woodpecker and other woodpeckers in the area’s deciduous woods and parkland. Spend the night in Tata.

Today we head across the Danube to the Kiskunsag region (around 1 hour's drive). We will visit cropfields, fishponds and salt-lakes where the geese roost and graze, taking in any spots where the rarer geese have been reported. There should also be flocks of thrushes, finches and buntings, reedbeds hold Penduline and Bearded Tits, and Great Grey Shrike and birds of prey are often at roadsides. A specialty here is Saker Falcon. Spend the night in Kiskunsag.

After breakfast we head northwards through the park, birding as we go, especially searching for Great Bustards and any species that may have escaped us so far. In the afternoon we head for the airport where the tour ends. Please ensure you book a flight that leaves in the late afternoon or evening. Or you might consider a night in Budapest before you return to the UK, in which case you will be taken to your hotel.

An alternative itinerary is to take a Friday night flight to Budapest, stay in the city for the night and breakfast, then start our birding tour, at the conclusion of the tour return to Budapest and stay over on the Sunday night and spend all day exploring until taking an evening flight home. This would add two nights and make it a five night, six day holiday. An extra charge of £130.00 would be payable.

Please note this itinerary may be altered due to the weather or the presence/lack of birds at particular sites during the time of our visit. Some flight times allow birding on day one, others do not but allow more birding time at the end of the trip, for this reason we politely ask you take account of this and allow for the changes.

Holiday date:

19 - 22 February 2009 (Thursday to Sunday, 4 days and 3 nights)
or 18 - 23 February 2009

Holiday Cost:

from £365.00

Cost to WWT Members

from £346.75

Learn more about the WWT and become a member

Deposit:

£200.00

Please read our Terms & Conditions for more information about Deposit payments

Single Room Supplement:

£50.00

If you are travelling alone but willing to share we maybe able to find a roommate for you to reduce the cost.
Please see the booking form for more information

Flights

Flights available from £75.00

Extra Option

As an additional option we can also offer a city tourist guide for £30.00 for a half day to explore Budapest and learn of it's history and heritage. (Please select option on online booking form)

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

Cost includes: Accommodation (based on twin/double), breakfasts, transport within Hungary by private vehicle, services of driver, local guide & reserve permits. Not included: Flights, insurance, lunches, dinners, personal items.

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

Cost includes: Accommodation (based on twin/double), breakfasts, transport within Hungary by private vehicle, services of driver, local guide & reserve permits. Not included: Flights, insurance, lunches, dinners, personal items.

Other Information

Flights and insurance are not included but can be purchased on behalf of clients if required. Please read the Terms and Conditions as found in the brochure or website or they can be e-mailed. Clients are responsible for travelling to the UK departure airport but help with a transfer/lift share can possibly be arranged. NB: Lunches & dinners are not included. This allows for flexibility and choice. If the weather is mild we can take packed lunches, if not we can pop into a local restaurant. Each evening we can dine al a carte in the hotels or local restaurants which is inexpensive. We reserve the right to change guides.

Clothing & Equipment

It may be cold, especially in the mornings and evenings. Warm fleeces, waterproofs boot liners (for wellies) or warm socks should be packed. Several layers are best to keep out the cold. We may have early starts to be in position to watch the geese leave or arrive at roost sites and time will be spent inactive whilst we scan through the flocks. A flask and coffee/tea, foot warming packs and thermals are all recommended items that are very much worth bringing.

Environment

Mostly flat, some uneven ground and slopes to tackle. Snow may feature as well as icy patches.

It's easy to book your holiday with Anser birding...

By Telephone: Simply call us on the number below and we'll set up your booking

01452 741591

By Fax: Download a printable booking form (Word or PDF),
complete it and fax to the number below

01452 741591

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We'll contact you to confirm and to arrange payments.