During a short, three and a half days trip in the weekend of Easter, the main aims were to see White-backed Woodpecker and the lekking of the Great Bustrad.

In the Zemplén Hills we managed to see no less then three of these woodpeckers with excellent walkaway views. On the same spot we also saw Gray-headed, Middle Spotted and Black Woodpeckers. During this day we also saw 3 Lesser Spotted Eagles, 2 Eagle Owls and a Ural Owl.

In the Hoertobágy we saw a spectacular, action full early morning Great Bustrad lekking with seven males involved. We also had several superb views of Ferruginous Duscks, while we also saw a Saker Falcon, a pair of Stone Curlew and some Mars Sandpipers in different locations, while Moustached Warblers were realy active and surprisingly easy to see. We also had time to twich a recently (the day before) found Dalmatian Peican, which is a real local rarity (see below).

On the last day we went to a forest patch near Debrecen to find Collard Flycatcher. We saw two singing males together with some femails.

The weather was nice and sunny during the whole trip and the temperature stayed usualy over 20 Celsius degree.

Gábor Simay

On the 11th of April one of our partner tours is starting. This is a special early Spring tour in the Hortobágy and Transylvania. Focusing on Great Bustard display, Lesser White-fronted Goose and Brown Bears.

Check out the tour itinerary: http://www.liberty-bird.com/index.php?language=de&menu=destinationen&submenu=destinationendetails&dest_id=78

Will keep you updated about the tour!

the Sakertour team

Dalmatian Pelican is a rare vagrant in Hungary with the last record dates back to 1998. Since 1857 there were only 10 accepted records to date. The last twitchable was in 1997 so this Spring invasion was a very welcome event for the young birder generation!

Following the strong southerly winds of March 27th afternoon the first bird appeared at Csaj Lake on the 28th of March. The following day another breeding plumaged bird was found on the Hortobágy. Both birds were last seen on the 31st March. Then one was reported at Rétszilas Fishponds on the 1st of April and a few hours later another was seen in flight at Marcali near Lake Balaton. The bird at Rétszilas was seen again on the 3rd of April and then on the 4th of April one but probably two were seen in flight over the Gerecse Hills as they were flying west.

It is not clear yet how many birds were involved in all the sightings (at least two). The Hungarian RC will take care to sort out these records. One thing is for sure: it was a superb week for this very rare bird in Hungary. Especially as they were all in wonderful breeding plumage!

Photo: Csaj Lake, 29th March, 2009 by János Oláh

The Tengmalm´s Owl is a very rare breeder in Hungary and a vagrant. In the last 15 years most observations were kept in secret so as the only ever breeding in the Zemplén Hills (1997).

On the 15th March a calling male was found by László Nehézy in the Bükk Hills. He organized the first twitch which was unsuccessful. In the next few days the bird was seen again and now it seemy to occupy an artifical nestbox (placed out by the founder) and there might even be a female bird. Later everybody got to see the bird without much disturbance!

So we all hope they will breed and also very happy that could see this bird in Hungary finally!

Many thanks to László Nehézy!

Photo: János Oláh

The I. Raptor Workshop by Imre Tamás took place in our hides from 26th of February to 1st of March, 2009.

This 4 days event included 2 full days in different Eagle Hides and a half day in our winter feeding station at our Passerine Drinking Hide. In the evenings sessions the participants heard different lectures and they also analysed the taken pictures and prepared for the next day.

The weather was horrible throughouit the workshop. The first day with continous rain, the second with fog and the third day was simply overcast. In previous years this weekend had the best activity, but the winter was more severe and longer in 2009. Hopefully next year even the weatehr will contribute!

Still the 9 photographers managed to capture 22 species and some really nice shots were taken. Some of these visible in our hide gallerys and a few right here!

János

Photo: András Zumpf

Photo: Balázs Bíró

Photo: Csaba Hercegh

Photo: Attila Kelemen

Photo: Gábor Szabó

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

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

Last autumn there was an increadible Nutcraker invasion to Hungary with over 150 records throughout November and December. Most probably from Siberia as a lot of birds looked like the macrorhynchos race. Also a few birds showed mixed or transition feature. Some individuals overwintering and are staying in the same general area for weeks now.

Yesterday (08/01/2009) I managed to photograph two different birds near Jászberény with the help of the Sakertour guide Tamás Zalai.

Here is the picture of the distinctly long and slender billed individual which certainly looks macrorhynchus!

Photographer: János Oláh

The second individual has not got that obvious slender bill but  still could be macrorhynchus.

Photographer: János Oláh

In the last few days there was superb action at both of our White-tailed Eagle hides on the Hortobágy. All the visiting photographers were able to take pictures of eagles.

We have uploaded a few pictures to both White-tailed Eagle galleries, please take a look:

http://www.sakertour.com/hidegallery.php?hide=1

http://www.sakertour.com/hidegallery.php?hide=19

Photo taken by Csaba Lóki