We had a full day´s birdwatching in the Hortobágy and despite it being cloudy we had a lucky bird-full day with some spectacular sightings as well.

 

First came a Stone Curlew and after some walking we spotted a few Great Bustards as well. Nearby newly-arrived juvenile Hen Harriers and a few White-tailed Eagles flew by eventually flushing the bustards. We were extremely lucky indeed as we had some cover and they didn´t notice us, so we could enjoy a closefly past of no less then 19 female Great Bustards.

After this we walked a short distance around the first section of Hortobágy-fishponds where we saw 21 Penduline Tits in one flock and a couple of very confiding Bearded Reedling as well as a first year Purple Heron, which should have migrated south by now.

On our way to Balmazújváros we saw a Saker (our second bird today), which pearched up in a pylon close by. Suddenly it took to the air and started to chase some Starlings, eventually landing nearby in a freshly ploughed field, where we could enjoy unusually close views of this first year bird.

After spending most of the afternoon in the northern grasslands we visited a wetland near Balmazújváros where we saw 4 Cattle Egretts together, still a scarce bird in Hungary, plus a very late Red-necked Phalarope in juvenile plumage, which was rather a surprise.

At the and of a successful birding day, we enjoyed an evening watching cranes flying towards their roosting site.

 

Simay Gábor

 

2010.10.05. 07:11:00.| img3905.jpg

One of the four Cattle Egrets                  Photo: Simay Gábor

 

 

2010.10.05. 07:11:13.| vt.jpg

Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope              Photo: Simay Gábor