A new breeding species to Hungary
On the 22nd July the breeding of Cattle Egret on the Hortobágy has been proved when the national park ranger János Tar has found two freshly out of the nest young birds in the company of 4 adults. The breeding was suspected throughout late May and June as adult birds were regularly seen around the Hortobágy Fishponds. Now we can say all European egrets breeding in the Hortobágy area.
Cattle Egret with freshly fledged young in th Hortobágy Photo: János Tar
Sakertour team
E-book by Terres Oublies group participant Patrick Gallet
There is a fantastic E-book by one of our guest on his website under ´Parc National d´HORTOBAGY´ gallery please take a look here! Patrick Gallet was one of the participant of the Terres Oublies 2011 May group and he enjoyed photographing in the Hortobágy National Park!
Bee-eater Photo: Patrick Gallet
Sakertour team
Summer heat
Our photography season is slowly coming to an end now. We still have four hides in operation until 25th July:
Red-footed Falcon Hide – We have an incredible 4 pairs of Red-footed Falcons and a Roller breeding around the hide this year (plus two pairs of Kestrels finished succesfully). Still all the redfoot chicks in the boxes but only about 10 days left for them before fledging. The Roller still has very young chicks. This year special is to have an absolutely amazing yellow background on the western side in the form of a sunflower field!
Roller Hides – As well as having a late breeding individual on the falcon tower we still have a morning and an afternoon Roller hide. The afternoon hide is only have a few days to go as the chicks are big. The morning hide is still good until 25th July.
Pygmy Cormorant Hide – The lovely yelow-fringed waterlilly covering the entire bay where our hide is located. There is less Pygmy Cormorant activity now but grebes, ducks and egrets still around daily. The first Little Carke has just been photographed today there. Today also a Moustached Warbler was photographed!
Passerine Drinking Hide – Usually good activity in the hot summer days though a huge storm poured 80+mm rain on the surroundings on Monday so it will take 3-4 days untill all the puddles will go.
Great Reed Warbler Photo: János Oláh
Birdwatching is also getting more difficult for the breeding species though autumn migration is in full swing now! The Hortobágy area still has the long-staying Dalmatian Pelican, a Pallas´s Gull is being seen with irregularity. You can find info on rare birds on the RAREBIRDS.hu! You can also reed about the Daurian Redstart in Hungary (unknown origin) on the same page!
Sakertour team