HORTOBÁGY NATIONAL PARK
World Heritage Area in Hungary

1. A small piece of Asia inside Europe
2. The western fringe of the Asian Steppe
3. Undoubtedly among the finest birdwatching areas of Europe
4. Over 340 bird species has been recorded
5. Real migration hotspot with an astonishing number of birds
6. Pygmy Cormorants, Bitterns, Spoonbills and Ferruginous Ducks are common
7. Major stopover area for geese including Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Goose
8. Over 20 pairs of Saker and more than 200 pairs of Red-footed Falcons breeding
9. Other breeding raptors include White-tailed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Montagu’s Harrier and others
10. Up to 100,000 Common Cranes migrate through the area in autumn
11. 130 Great Bustards and hundreds of Little Crakes inhabit the Park
12. Regular passage of scarce waders (Dotterel, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Great Snipe)
13. Gulls and marsh terns are plentiful
14. Hoopoe, Bee-eater and Roller are all regular breeders
15. Some spectacular warblers are abundant breeders (Aquatic, Moustached, Marsh, Savi’s, Grasshopper)

Habitat diversity:
(1)Wet grassland (2) Dry grassland (3) Dry wooded Steppe (4) Natron swamps (5) Natron lakes (6) Fishponds (7) Floodplain gallery forest (8) Floodplain wetlands (9) Agricultural lands (10) Oak forest

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ZEMPLÉN FOREST RESERVE
A Wold Heritage Site including Tokaj, where ”the wine of the kings, king of the wines” is produced

1. Pristine landscape with rolling Carpathian foothills
2. Superb healthy deciduous forest ecosystem
3. Excellent food and wine
4. Black Stork is a common breeder and passage migrant
5. 15 pairs of Eastern Imperial Eagles
6. Many other breeding raptors (Lesser Spotted, Golden and Short-toed Eagles, Honey Buzzard and Goshawk)
7. Over 200 pairs of Corncrakes
8. 15 pairs of Eagle Owls and 100 pairs of Ural Owls breeding
9. Bee-eaters and Collared Flycatchers are common breeders
10. Nine species of woodpeckers breeding
11. Probably the highest White-backed Woodpecker density in Europe with over 100 pairs breeding
12. Some spectacular warblers are abundant breeders (Barred, River, Marsh, Icterine)

Habitat diversity:
(1) small peaks (2) oak and beech forested slopes (3) open valleys (4) meandering rivers (5) floodplains (6) quarries

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REJDOVA SPRUCE FOREST
Near Slovenski Raj National Park

1. Subalpine Carpathian spruce forest with mixed deciduous forests in Slovakia
2. Near our Zemplén Forest Reserve (two hours drive)
3. Tranquil reserve inhabited by a good number of Carpathian birds
4. Breeding raptors (Golden and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Honey Buzzard and Goshawk)
5. Over 150 pairs of Hazel Grouse
6. Pygmy, Tengmalm’s and Ural Owls are regular breeders
7. Several species of woodpeckers breeding
8. 20 pairs of Three-toed Woodpeckers
9. Other interesting spruce forest specialties are common like Nutcracker, Firecrest, Crested Tit
10. Limestone Gorge of Szádelő en route holds Eastern Imperial Eagle and Rock Bunting

Habitat diversity:
(1) Spruce Forest (2) Limestone gorge (3) Mountain streams

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TRANSYLVANIA
Hungarian populated Székelyland, the land of Dracula in Romania

1. Subalpine Carpathian spruce forest with mixed deciduous forest in Romania
2. Pristine landscape with limestone gorges and high Carpathian mountains
3. Home of Brown Bears, Wolves and Lynx
4. Several great reserves inhabited by a good number of Carpathian birds
5. Breeding raptors (Golden and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Honey Buzzard and Goshawk)
6. Several hundred pairs of Corncrakes
7. Several Capercaillie lekking grounds and Hazel Grouse
8. Easily accessible Wallcreeper breeding grounds
9. Other limestone species like Craig Martin, Alpine Swift, Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting
10. Pygmy, Tengmalm’s and Ural Owls are regular breeders
11. Ten species of woodpeckers breeding, particularly good for Black-, Grey-headed- and Three-toed Woodpeckers
12. Other interesting spruce forest specialties are common like Ring Ouzel, Nutcracker, Firecrest, Crested Tit
13. Thrush Nightingale, Great Grey Shrike, Common Rosefinch and Ortolan Bunting breeding

Habitat diversity:
(1) Carpathian spruce forest (2) Mountain streams (3) Alpine orchid meadows (4) Wide valleys (5) Limestone gorges (6) Rocky outcrops

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BIHAR MOUNTAINS
Carpathian high elevation birding near the Hungarian border

1. Subalpine Carpathian spruce forest with mixed deciduous forests in Romania
2. Only a few houres drive from the Hortobágy
3. Easily done from the Hortobágy as a day trip to increase your bird list
4. The nearest extensive spruce forests to the Hungarian /Romanian border
5. Easily driveable road from foothill grassland habitats through old oak and beech woods to the spruce forsets
6. Easily accessible Three-toed woodpecker habitat
7. Red-breasted and Collared Flycatcher are quite common breeders
8. Ural Owl also a regular breeder
9. Other specialities of spruce forests are Ring Ouzel, Nutcracker, Firecrest and Crested Tit
10. The foothill habitats are good for Black Stork, Bee-eater, Barred Warbler, Great Grey Shrike and Ortolan Bunting

Habitat diversity:
(1) Carpatian spruce forest (2) Mountain streems (3) Beech and Oak forest (4) Grazed foothill grassland

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