Full-Day Birding Trip in Apaj - September 18

Full Day Birdwatching Trip in the Northern Part of Kiskunság National Park

On September 18, we enjoyed a wonderful full day birdwatching trip in the northern part of Kiskunság National Park. The weather was beautiful and sunny, a perfect early autumn day for being outdoors. We started our trip from the centre of Budapest at 8:00 in the morning, and after about forty minutes we left the city and reached the village of Bugyi. As usual, we looked around the farmlands and grassy areas near the village, searching for Great Bustards (Otis tarda). We were lucky, because we managed to see the Great Bustards, and in the same area we also observed a Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and a White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). It was a great start to the day.

After this stop, we continued towards Apaj. Here we visited a small forest area, and next to it there was a large wet grazed meadow. In a marshy, reedy part of this habitat we found one of the best species of the day: a young Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus). We also saw a Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) walking in the reeds. The activity in this area was very good, and we observed many interesting birds. These included another White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), an Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), a Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), several Pygmy Cormorants (Microcarbo pygmeus), and a Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) sitting on a bush. However, the highlight of this location was one of our main target species, the Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius). We were very happy to see it, as it was feeding on a rotten tree, and we could watch it from very close for a long time. This was definitely one of the best moments of the whole trip.

After leaving the forest and meadow, we visited the fishponds. Here we found more exciting species, including Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca), Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), many Pygmy Cormorants (Microcarbo pygmeus), and several White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) again. The biggest surprise at the fishponds was a late Hoopoe (Upupa epops) walking on the road between the ponds. It was unexpected to see a Hoopoe in mid-September, and it made the visit even more special.

We finished the day with a long list of great species, excellent weather, and many memorable experiences. It was a very successful birdwatching trip with wonderful observations, and we enjoyed every moment of this early autumn day in Kiskunság National Park.