Hungarian holiday!!
Where does one start? At the airport, perhaps? No, then where?
150 different species seen (4 of these only heard) 35 lifers for me!!
Well perhaps. A list, no, that’s far too boring. I can’t (won’t) write about each day or we will be here til next June!
So highlights…edited …Eagles – White Tailed, Golden and Eastern Imperial .
Tales behind each of these…The wonderful WT Eagle…flying majestically over the flooded waters of two rivers at their confluence(flooding caused by the melt down of snow from the mountains). Golden Eagle being mobbed, by two Buzzards (very distant, but, unmistakable). Eastern Imperial Juvenile…I said I really wanted to see an adult! On the last day on the motorway to Budapest Airport…..sitting in a tree not one but a PAIR! Screech of brakes…well lots of noise from the air brakes…there they were 40-50 yards from the coach!! The male took off and retreated to another tree about 100 yards away…scaring the resident Magpie who promptly took off. The female remained in the tree while everybody rushed about finding cameras , being woken up ( in certain cases), speeding out of the loo….and whilst I was delighted, I was thinking, where is my camera (?)…. Packed away in the boot! It was pouring cats and dogs when we left our hotel…not much would be about!! ( Anyway I have enough pics of cats and dogs!!.) Eventually our leader, a well respected Bird Photographer said “ Do you want me to take a photo?” Did I? Yes, indeedy!! Much relieved…I was able to see the images…now await the actual photo being sent through!
The Owls? Eagle , Ural and Long Eared…!
The daily Hawfinches? The Buzzards and Marsh Harriers by the dozens….
My very first Bluethroat, Penduline Tit, Moustached Warbler, Red Necked Grebe, or Savi’s Warbler ?
Where to begin?????
You have it was Eagles!!
However the most amazing thing was that for each new bird there was a thrill and a new insight into how beautiful they are!!
The Nightingale, what a loud noise from such a small bird…
You see how spoilt for choice I am!
Part 1
Next, an amazing day!!
I'm getting the impression that you rather enjoyed yourself!
35 lifers - amazing!
I am getting a tad bit envious of some of your sightings, especially the Penduline Tit. That is my biggest bogie bird of all.
I take it that you slightly enjoyed yourself. lol