Eastern Europe / Hungary

Moths and butterflies tour

Hungary, 7 days

We planned our moth and butterfly tour according to the best seasons of moths and also to see many butterfly rarities at the same time. Sopron lies in the north-west of Hungary close to Vienna. Its vicinity is an ideal location for a moth and butterfly watching tour since we can find several different habitat types from sub-mountainous areas to the saline steppes of Lake Fertő. The total number of locally recorded Lepidoptera is high above 1000 species.

Please note, that we usually do not use automatic light traps. We use moth sheets, which require us to stay on the field during the night, though portable light traps can be placed around the lamping area. The minibus will accompany us, so sleeping in the van or returning to the accommodation is possible. Collecting or taking living specimens of any stage is strictly prohibited by the Hungarian law, and as we will do our activity mostly in protected areas with the kind permission of the Fertő-Hanság National Park, local rangers may check us anytime!

All significant literature about Hungarian and Central-European Macrolepidoptera fauna will be provided by Ecotours as well as few special books on Micro moths, although most of them are written in German or Hungarian.

Fact File

- 7 days in north-west Hungary

- start and finish in Vienna, Austria

- using 1 accommodation

Highlights

- wide variety of habitats

- moth trapping during the night

- rare moth species

- rare butterfly species including Large Copper, Poplar Admiral, Camberwell Beauty, Clouded Apollo and many more

Accommodation

6 nights in the Sopron Hills, Hungary

Departure Dates

http://www.ecotours.hu/calendar

Price

Ask for the actual price.

Our price includes:

- all travel as noted in the itinerary;

- all accommodation based on shared rooms (most rooms are twin bedded), at most locations there are single rooms as well for extra charge (Please ask for a single room at the time of booking!);

- 3 meals per day, generally breakfast at the accommodation, packed lunch, dinner (consists of at least two courses);

- services of the leader(s);

- trip materials.

Not included:

- flight to and from Vienna;

- optional programmes to places of interest and its entrance fees

- passports and visas

- airport and other departure taxes, tips

- food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries

- excess baggage charges,

- telephone calls,

- alcoholic beverages,

- compulsory personal insurance

If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us

Activity level

Easy walks at great butterfly habitats

Itinerary

1

Upon arrival to Vienna Airport we are met by our English speaking specialist guide. We drive directly to the Sopron Hills where fresh specimens of Woodland Ringlet and Pearl-bordered Fritillary are on the wing. In the afternoon we also have a chance to see Clouded Apollo. Moth trapping is planned in a humid valley of the Sopron Hills. Willowherb Hawk Moth, Lesser Swallow Prominent, White Prominent and the nominate ssp. of Cream Spot Tiger are among the expected species.

2

We visit the Szárhalmi Forest that is home to the day-flying Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. Ilex and Black Hairstreaks are also present here. During moth trapping here we usually see over a hundred species during a good night. The giant Oak Hawk-moth might also occur.

3

We have a day trip around Fertőrákos at Lake Fertő (Lake Neusiedl). Pearly Heath is common here, but if we are lucky, we can see Queen-of-Spain Fritillary, Scarce Fritillary or even Common Glider. During the night we light our lamps in an old quarry, which has the only population of Bat Hawk-moth. Other hawk-moths are present here as well: Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Privet Hawk-moth, Spurge Hawk-moth. Pannonian Arches, a Pannon endemism also occurs in the area.

4

We visit the region of Hanság to look for Large Copper. Dusky Clearwing and Hornet Moths can be relatively abundant here. During the night we take a rest.

5

We have a whole day excursion to Lake Fertő visiting the saline steppe area. Beside moths we can see European Souslik and many bird species here. Narraga fasciolaria and Narraga tessularia are special saline steppe dwelling small Geometrids. During the night we light our lamps at a strictly protected bog in Szárhalmi Forest.

6

We visit the Sopron Hills again, where we search for birch, alder and aspen feeding moths, and also for moths on coniferous trees. Lots of carpets can be flushed from the vegetation during the day, including Drab Looper. We might see many butterflies as well hoping for a Chequered Skipper. We organise moth trapping in the Sopron Hills. Many Fan-foots inhabit the area, amongst them the rare Clay Fan-foot and Dotted Fan-foot.

7

We take another visit to the Sopron Hills to look for the first Poplar Admirals and old specimens of Camberwell Beauty still on the wing. After lunch we travel to Vienna Airport, where the tour ends.

Itinerary

Booking

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on list of possible species, accommodation etc.

All the photos: © Szabolcs Sáfián