Boatbirder.com: 📖 Birding Hungary 🇭🇺 (Days 9/10) Spring 2022

🌤22C Saturday 7th May 2022 ~ A rest from birding today and a day in Budapest sightseeing.

Great Bustard ~ Photo from our September 2019 trip.

🌤23C Sunday 8th May 2022 ~ A drive to the Northern end of Kiskunsag National Park today. The area visited consists of several scattered areas of steppe between Budapest and Szeged and is a good place to look for Great Bustard. We last visited the area in September 2019 and had an amazing 27 birds but today we only managed scoped views of a single bird seen across fields from the roadside. Despite their size, these birds can be pretty elusive, particularly with many fields now with crops, as proven today.

Such a treat to see so many Red-backed Shrike

Lots of Red-backed Shrikes were noted, surprisingly quite a common species during our travels but unfortunately, we've failed on this particular holiday to come across any Lesser Grey Shrike, despite our best efforts and to be honest the only disappointment!

At least two Bee-eater colonies during the day.

We stopped for a look at two Bee-eater colonies but didn't get too close and Corn Buntings seemed to be everywhere today! A walk around a few wet areas and reedbeds produced Great Reed Warbler, Savi's Warbler and our first Grasshopper Warbler, reeling at the same time as the Savi's, the difference in habitat preferences and sound frequency quite clear to see and hear!

Map butterfly

It was also a good day for butterflies with Map, Glanville Fritillary, Queen of Spain Fritillary, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Brown Argos, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Southern Festoon and a new species for Dazza and me, Green-underside Blue. Also worthy of a mention, are plenty of Souslik or European Ground Squirrels running around today, dodging the many Marsh Harriers.

Other Images of the Day...