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Autumn Crane Spectacular–Kiskunság, Hortobágy & Bükk NPs

Kiskunsag, Hortobágy and Bükk Hills, 8 days

Autumn is a very special season on the Great Hungarian Plains, the famous Hortobágy 'Puszta'. Enjoy fantastic views of tens of thousands of trumpeting Common Cranes flying low overhead!

The grasslands offer plenty of other superb species, Dotterels and Stone Curlews are still around, Great Bustards can be found in small flocks as well. Raptors hunt everywhere, among them we might find Long-legged and Rough-legged Buzzard, Imperial Eagle and Saker Falcon.

There are always many interesting birds at the fishponds such as Ferruginous Duck, Pygmy Cormorant and vast numbers of waders, herons, egrets and ducks.

Most of the Bükk Hills is characterized by vast beech woods and open limestone meadows with different karst forms produced by erosion. It is a perfect area for birding, where raptors soar above the valleys and dense deciduous woodlands provide home for woodland species including Ural Owl and perhaps Eagle Owl as well.

There should be a good number of other forest species as well such as Hawfinch for example. But we will also look for several Woodpecker species as well possible species include such attractive ones as Black, White-backed, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted and Syrian Woodpecker.

Download detailed Carnival of Cranes Itinerary PDF

Fact File

8 days in Hungary visiting the famous Hortobágy and Bükk National Parks
start and finish in Budapest
using 2 accommodations located close to the sites

Highlights

Accommodation

Departure Dates

Price

www.ecotours-worldwide.com/dates-prices
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:

flights to and from Budapest;
optional programmes to places of interest and entrance fees involved;
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

Itinerary

Days 1-2

After arriving in Budapest we travel towards Kiskunság National Park, birding en route, concentrating on Great Bustards, Stone Curlews and other grassland species. During a full day discovery of the lakes and marshy areas we hope to find many different migrating species.

Days 3-4

On the way from Kiskunsag to Hortobagy we will visit fantastic oxbow lake areas with thousands of birds. At the Hortobagy we will explore the fishponds, including the famous Hortobágy Halastó. We visit Northern Hortobagy, the typical Puszta habitat to experience masses of Cranes flying overhead and raptors including Rough-legged Buzzard and White-tailed Eagle. We will visit day roosts of hundreds of Long-eared Owls. The fishponds attract many waterbirds including Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, Lesser White-fronted Goose, ducks and waders. The reedbeds are home to Penduline and Bearded Tits.

Day 5

We head towards the Bükk hills and en route we stop at suitable places to search for Saker Falcon and Imperial Eagle.

Days 6-7

We spend 2 full days in the Bükk National Park visiting beech woods, scenic valleys, old quarries and limestone meadows for raptors, woodpeckers, owls and woodland passerines.
Pre-breakfast walks around our hotel are always productive. 6 species of woodpecker, Treecreper, Hawfinch were all found in this area of orchards and oak forests.
We spend some time in the scenic Hór Valley searching for Rock Bunting, Grey-headed and Black Woodpecker, Common Crossbill and raptors such as Imperial Eagle and Goshawk. We might also visit Lillafüred, a popular place with tourists where sometimes Wallcreeper can be found on the walls of the palace.
One day we drive up to the Bükk Plateau to explore extensive oak and beech woods, an excellent area for Hawfinch, Treecreeper and woodpeckers, including the elusive White-backed. Even Ural Owl has been seen here.

Day 8

Travel to Budapest Airport stopping en route to look for some extra species.

Trip report

Enquiry

Booking

Contact

Phone: Call May-October; Text all year
+36 30-645-9318 or +36 30-211-0006
Call Nov-April: +506 84961012 or 84961417
e-mails:
ecotoursgabororban @ gmail.com
toucanbirdingecolodge @ gmail.com

Our mission

Our first priority is to save habitats & species.

Secondly we would like to share our knowledge of wildlife and encourage you to participate directly or indirectly in protecting nature.

We are also working continuously on our carbon balance with developing our 23 hectares of wildlife reserve.