Displaying Great Bustards and all European Woodpeckers
Hungary and Slovakia, 9 days

Our unique spring tour offers displaying Great Bustards on the steppe of the Kiskunság National Park in Hungary, as well as 9 species of woodpeckers, owls and the possibility to observe Brown Bear in the unspoilt forests of Slovakia.
Similarly to Hortobágy, the scenic Kiskunság National Park still preserves parts of the once continuous Eurasian steppe, the so called “puszta”. Bird species found here reflect this special habitat, which is really different to other regions of Europe. The Kiskunság NP hosts one of the biggest populations of Great Bustards in Europe, but has other highlights to offer as well. Alkaline lakes and temporary flooded areas of grassland attract huge numbers of ducks, geese and waders. Species include Ferruginous Duck, Garganey, Black-winged Stilt, Mediterranean Gull, White-winged Black Tern, Kentish Plover and other migrating shorebirds. You might be able to see Stone-Curlew, Collared Pratincole, Tawny Pipit and Red-throated Pipit as well.
The Tatra Mountains of Slovakia are perfect to observe several highlight species such as Pygmy, Tengmalm’s, Ural 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 woodpeckers and owls in attractive habitats, as well as interesting butterfly and bat species.

Day 1
After arriving at Budapest Airport, you will be met by a professional English speaking guide and head towards Kiskunság National Park. We drive to the sites of the magnificent Great Bustard where some of the birds may be displaying. We will also search for Saker Falcon. Nearby there is a Red-footed Falcon colony, so chances are good to see this spectacular species, too. The shallow temporary ponds and little lakes attract numerous waders and waterfowl. Spotted Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt, Black, Whiskered and White-winged Black Tern are all around, sometimes in huge numbers. Garganey and Ferruginous Duck are found among the duck species, sometimes Pygmy Cormorant is also present.
Accommodation: a small family run hotel in Szabadszállás built in local style

Day 2
We continue discovering the Kiskunság National Park visiting wet meadows and huge fishponds, excellent for Savi’s and Moustached Warbler, Penduline Tit, Bearded Reedling, Spotted Crake, Spoonbill, Pygmy Cormorant but also for Montagu’s Harrier. Bitterns are heard from the reeds regularly and with a little bit of luck we might also see one. Depending on time we might pay a visit to one of the biggest ringing stations of the country and see Nightjars being ringed. We can also try to attract Corn Crakes, and if we decide to search for this elusive bird, we will have a late dinner. Stone-Curlew, Roller, Lesser Grey Shrike and Golden Oriole is also on our menu as they are regularly breeding close to our accommodation.
Accommodation: a small family run hotel in Szabadszállás built in local style

Day 3
Today we travel towards the north birding en route, looking for Imperial Eagle and other raptors. In the afternoon we reach the scenic Szádelői Valley in the Slovak Karst, a World Heritage site. Dramatic 400 meter-high limestone cliffs, hundreds of caves, very rich birdlife and butterfly fauna await us here. There is a stream running along the narrow gorge, and the old beech forest is home to Red-breasted and Collared Flycatcher. If we are lucky we can find the nicely coloured Fire Salamander too. We will search for Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Grey-headed, Syrian and White-backed Woodpecker and Eagle Owl as well with good chances of seeing them.
Accommodation: hotel near Medzev

Day 4
Today we drive to a nearby mountain range, the Szepes-Gömör Mountains. Pygmy Owls should be calling actively, and in April we have a good chance to see one even during daytime by imitating their simple whistle. Knowing some breeding sites of Tengmalm’s Owl we hope that our excellent local guide will find us this funny looking, rarely seen bird. In the higher elevations we will search for Hazel Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker, Common Crossbill, Nutcracker and Crested Tit.
Accommodation: hotel near Medzev

Day 5
The woods close to the city of Kosice hold a big population of Ural Owl, and we should be able to find one or two perched next to a tree trunk. This perfectly camouflaged bird is always a highlight of any trip. The same area is excellent for Middle Spotted, Grey-headed, White-backed and Black Woodpecker, and by the end of the day we will probably be close to complete our list of European woodpeckers. Anywhere during the day we might see Black Storks, which are breeding not far from our hotel. As an optional program we can trap bats (up to 15 different species) and identify them by using detectors.
Accommodation: hotel near Medzev

Days 6-8
We leave the Slovak karst region behind and head towards the Tatra Mountains with peaks over 2000 meters. In the following two days we will be visiting spruce and pine forests of both the Low and High Tatras searching for Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owl, Three-toed Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Ring Ouzel and Common Crossbill. In the evening there will be a chance to see Brown Bear by using the well built and secure hides and being accompanied by a local forester.
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, some of them already in their pinkish summer plumage, and the tame Alpine Accentor. Near the peak of Chopok Mountain we usually see Chamois and Marmots. The latter are often frightened by Golden Eagles.
Accommodation: a hotel with beautiful views of the High Tatras

Day 9
We travel back to Budapest to catch the flight back home, birding en route.