Pine Bunting in Hungary
The second ever Pine Bunting (Emberiza leucocephalos) for Hungary was found on the 24th of February near Lake Balaton again by Szabolcs Gál!This is the first ever twitchable following the trapped bird in 1986.
His amazing row of findings continous in 2009 after finding the first Rustic Bunting and Purple Sandpiper at the end of 2008.
The Rustic Bunting was very close to the location of this Pine Bunting.
It looks like a first winter male bird and on behalf of all hungarian birders I would like to say thank you to Szabolcs!
Photographer: János Oláh
Iceland Gull: a new bird for Hungary
The 2009 started well for Hungary with yet another new bird for the country (following the Purple Sandpiper in November).
A second year Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) was found by Bence Kókay at Dunaújváros along the Danube on the 28th of January and was seen at the same spot until the 30th morning when it was seen flying southward.
This observation was probably linked with the gale (or hurricane) forced wind which hit France and Spain a few days earlier. There were up to 30 records of Iceland Gull in France following the storm.
Here is a picture of the bird, but unfortunately it was mostly raining and the quality is hence not the best!
Photographer: Gábor Simay