Hills of Hungary and Slovakia, 9 days
Our unique spring tour offers all European woodpeckers, several sought after Owl species and the possibility to observe Brown Bear in the unspoilt forests of Slovakia.
High Tatras & Slovak Karst, Slovakia
The Tatra Mountains of Slovakia are perfect to observe several highlight species such as Pygmy, Tengmalm's and Eagle Owl, Hazel Grouse, Golden and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Nutcracker, Ring Ouzel, Common Crossbill, Crested Tit, with a little luck even Wallcreeper and other alpine species. The limestone karst region of the Slovak Karst offers an abundance of rare owl species in attractive habitats, as well as interesting butterfly and bat species.
Bükk National Park, Hungary
On the way towards the Bükk Hill we will stop to check out hunting areas of Imperial Eagles and Saker Falcon. both are strictly protected thus having strong populations in the lowland areas. The Bükk Hills is characterized by vast beech woods and open limestone meadows with all the different karst forms produced by erosion such as fissures, sinkholes, underground streams and caverns. It is a perfect area for birding, where raptors soar above the valleys and dense deciduous woodlands provide home for species such as owls, warblers, woodpeckers including Black, White-backed, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted & Syrian.
There is a very strong population of Ural Owls and we know a few places where we should look for them. There is a small chance for finding Eagle Owl as well.
Itinerary
Days 1-3
After arriving at the Budapest Airport we head towards the High Tatra Mountains. It is a long journey which we will brake at suitable places to look for raptors and woodland species. Route and stops will dpend on your arrival time.
Two days will be spen in the forest to search several different Woodpecker species, including Three-toed and White-backed Woodpecker. We will also look for Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owl, Nutcracker, Ring Ouzel and Common Crossbill.
As an optional extra, weather permitting, we can take a chairlift from the rocky Demanovska Valley to the scenic alpine zone, hoping to see Water Pipit and the tame Alpine Accentor.
Days 4-6
We will travel to and spend some days with visiting different parts of the Slovak Karst for Red-breasted and Collared Flycatcher, Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, White-backed Woodpecker and Eagle Owl; and also the nearby Szepes-Gömör Mountains for Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owl, Hazel Grouse and Three-toed Woodpecker. These woods also hold a healthy population of woodpeckers and other forest birds.
Days 7-8
We travel towards Hungary birding en route, looking for Imperial Eagle and other raptors.
In the Bukk Hills the surrounding of our accommodation is a good place to search for Middle-spotted and Syrian Woodpecker in the orchards of the village where Wryneck, Hawfinch and Golden Oriole is also possible. We visit the entrance of a valley where several pairs of Rock Bunting breed in an abandoned quarry. We enter the old beech forests of the hill searching for Grey-headed, Black and the elusive White-backed Woodpecker. The wet mountain meadows hold Corncrake, River Warbler and the dry scrub is inhabited by Barred Warbler. From mid May several pairs of Red-breasted Flycatcher are found here, but Collared Flycatcher and Wood Warbler is singing from earlier on. We should spend some time to try to see Ural Owl at an appropriate habitat, we always know some active nesting and feeding areas. Here in the Bukk Hills we often see Goshawk and Lesser Spotted Eagle too.
Day 9
We travel back to Budapest to catch the flight back home, birding en route, stopping at a Saker Falcon hunting area, Rollers also should be around.
