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WildWings, 577 Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3AF.UK
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Our hugely successful spring festival in Hungary in May, we are now delighted to offer another superb bird spectacular in this bird-rich country but in winter. The Winter Hungarian Bird Festival is based in the heart of the country at Tata and takes in a superb range of habitats and birds. Once again this low priced event will be hosted by Gerard Gorman, an acknowledged expert on Hungary and its birds and author of the definitive books of the region, such as The Birds of Hungary (Helm), Woodpeckers of Europe (Bruce Coleman Books) and Birding in Eastern Europe (Wildsounds).
Each day from our group hotel there will be optional daily guided excursions to all the top local birdwatching areas led by a team of expert local birding guides. Or you can do your own thing (on foot or by rented bike) or do a combination of the two during the week. This event will suit beginners and experienced observers alike.
Hungary is a fascinating land-locked country that lies at the very heart of Europe, in the Carpathian Basin. It is a land rich in folklore and also famous for its full-bodied wines and hearty food. Hungary is a member of the EU.
The main focus of this trip will be the rich diversity of bird life that occurs in late autumn and early winter, with goose flocks being a highlight. Winter visitors (Rough-legged Buzzard, Great Grey Shrike, Wallcreeper, Alpine Accentor etc) will have arrived to supplement the wealth of resident birds (Eastern Imperial Eagle, Saker, Great Bustard and eight species of woodpecker) and those still on late autumn passage (wildfowl, shorebirds, songbirds). In particular this is an excellent time for wildfowl with both Taiga & Tundra Bean Geese, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose and Red-breasted Goose all likely.
From the Hungarian capital, Budapest, we shall travel to the Tata, regarded locally as the capital of goose-watching in Hungary. Our accommodation will be in Tata itself and all rooms are with private facilities. Lake Tata is right on our doorstep and a place where wildfowl and gulls often roost. Local woodlands are the home of woodpeckers such as Black, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted and Lesser Spotted. Syrian Woodpeckers are often by our hotel. There are also roosts of Long-eared Owls at this time. Fishponds nearby and further afield hold Pygmy Cormorant, herons, grebes, ducks, geese, Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls and resident reedbed birds like Bearded and Penduline Tits. We will also visit the puszta (grassland steppe) of the Kiskunsag region for Great Bustards, and other areas for raptors such as Eastern Imperial and White-tailed Eagles plus Saker Falcon. An hour or so away the forests also hold White-backed Woodpeckers.
There will be daily up-dated information boards listing the key bird sightings. A potential species list can be found on our website or is available from us.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart London Gatwick at approx 1220 arrive Budapest late afternoon. Transfer to Tata and the Festival hotel by road (approx 1-1.5 hours) for your seven night stay. Welcome briefing.
Days 2 - 7: Six full days to bird the Transdanubian region, on foot, by rental bike or optional guided birding excursions by bus and car. Trips to the Gerecse and Pilis Hills for woodland birds, the Danube Bend for ducks and also longer day trips to the Kiskunsag National Park and the Ferto-Hansag National Park. Group evening log call every night.
Day 8: Transfer back to Budapest in the afternoon for your flight back to the UK, arriving back into London Gatwick at approx 1815..
Planned optional excursion programme (subject to change)
Most days: all day trips by 4x4 around the region for 3 persons plus guide/driver.
Most days: all day bus trips around the region for goose flocks.
Most days: half-day guided trips by bike around Tata.
Most days: half-day guided trips by bus to various fish-ponds.
2 days: day trip by bus to Wallcreeper and Alpine Accentor sites nationwide.
2 days: day trip by bus to the Kiskunsag for Great Bustard and Saker.
2 days: day-trip to the Danube Bend and Pilis Hills for river and woodland birds.
2 days: half day-trip to the Gerecse Hills for White-backed Woodpecker.
1 day: day trip by bus to the Ferto-Hansag National Park for more geese.
In addition, longer trips will be offered by car for any national rarities that may
have been found further afield.
Trips into Budapest for sightseeing and retail therapy for non-birding partners can also be arranged.
On some evenings there will be short slide-show talks on Hungarian birds and conservation projects.
Holiday Information
Dates: 30th November – 7th December 2008
Leaders: Gerard Gorman and his team of local English speaking birdguides.
Cost: The basic cost is £499 per person based on sharing a twin room
Single supplement: £99 per person
Deposit: £100 per person (* and any applicable flight supplement)
Group size: Minimum 20 plus the leader/s.
Price includes: Return economy class flights including pre-paid taxes, transfers airport/hotel/airport, accommodation in rooms with private facilities with breakfast, reserve permits, bird checklist and services of guides in Hungary.
Price excludes: Travel insurance (from £15.79), lunches and dinners (from £4 pp per meal), drinks, optional birding excursions (£5 - £30), bike hire (approx £10 per day), gratuities and other items of a personal nature.
Please note that ‘late-booker’s’ may be subject to a flight supplement, this will be advised at the time of booking if applicable.
2009: Advance register for only £50 per person, dates are 29th November – 6th December
Birds: Expected no of species 150.
