During the first week of October we visited the Hortobágy area and also the Zemplén Hills. The weather was stunning, sunny and warm. We recorded 8 species of woodpeckers, including White-backed and 5 species of owls, including scope views of an Ural Owl (three more were heard). In the Hortobágy no less then 74 Lesser White-fronted Geese, 45 Dotterels and 15 Great Bustards were seen. In the wet grasslands Red-throated Pipits were common, and a Jack Snipe was also seen. We had three encounters with Eastern Imperial Eagles and two with Saker Falcon and Long-legged Buzzards respectively. We were lucky enough to find some Red-footed Falcons as well on this mid-autumn date. 

In the Hortobágy, bigger and smaller flocks of Common Cranes were seen everywhere, but in the evenings huge flocks were flying towards their night roosts. At one place we saw more than 20.000 flying from all direction into their roost site.

Dotterel

Roosting Common Cranes

Hawfinchis were numerous in the woodlands

Long-eared Owl                   All photos: Simay Gábor

Sakertour team