Half-Day Birding Trip in Apaj region - June 27

Half-Day Birdwatching Trip near Bugyi and Apaj

We started our half-day birdwatching trip on June 27 at 7:00 in the morning, leaving from the centre of Budapest. It was a rainy morning, and I was happy about it, because June was very dry. After about 40 minutes we arrived near Bugyi. By this time the rain had stopped, and the sun came out from behind the clouds.

Around Bugyi we looked at agricultural fields and grasslands, hoping to see Great Bustards (Otis tarda). At the first place we were not successful, but we saw European Roller (Coracias garrulus), European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster), and one Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus).

Later, while driving on the road, we noticed a few Great Bustards (Otis tarda) not far from the roadside on a grassy area. We stopped the car and had wonderful views and also took some photos. In the same field we also saw a few Eurasian Curlews (Numenius arquata).

After this stop, we continued to Apaj. Here we saw a Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus), a species that is usually found near villages and towns. Around the grasslands near Apaj we also observed an Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), a Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris), and a Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor).

Then we visited a small woodland area, where we had very good views of Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis), and a Wryneck (Jynx torquilla).

Our last stop was at the fishponds. In the reedbeds we saw Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus) and Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus). Over the water and fields we also watched a White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), and Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis).

This was our last location, and after this we returned to Budapest. It was a very nice half-day birdwatching trip with pleasant weather and a total of 73 species.