How to properly plan a birding trip to Hungary

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It’s been a tough year for trips and vacations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, people are finding ways to adapt to the new normal.

Birdwatching is one of the cool new hobbies many have adopted, and it’s no wonder the birdwatching industry has seen increased sales in this period.

Many birders have had to cancel summer plans for their birding trip.

Fortunately, normal activities are slowly resuming. Since there are still a few months left to make the most of the year, what better way than to plan a trip to one of the popular birding destinations in Europe – Hungary.

In this article, I’ll guide you through making adequate preparation to maximise your birding trip to Hungary.

Bird Species in Hungary

Landlocked Hungary is an ideal area for hundreds of species of birds. Its biodiverse woodlands, the great puszta plain, summer lakes, and swaying grassland makes it a favourite for birds. Plus a lack of intensive agricultural practices in the country makes Hungary a free-for-all for birds.

As of 2020, there have been about 433 species of

birds recorded in Hungary. This makes Hungary an excellent spot for birders to find a variety of birds.

Some birds found in Hungary include:

• Great Bustard
• Red-footed Falcon
• Short-toed Snake Eagle
• Barred Warbler
• Pygmy Cormorant
• Ural Owl
• Mistle thrush
• Eurasian blackcap
• Saker Falcon
• Imperial Eagle

Birding Hotspots in Hungary/Where to go birdwatching in Hungary

There are great birding opportunities in almost every part of Hungary. However, certain areas are popular amongst birders. These are:

• Hortobágy National Park: This is the number one birding hot spot in Hungary. More than 300 species of birds recorded in Hungary have been seen here. The grasslands and wetlands of the Hortobagy offer excellent habitats for great bustard, saker, red-footed falcon, etc.

Hortobagy is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

• Bükk National Park: This is the biggest national park in Hungary encased with different varieties of trees. It is the domain of woodland birds including woodpeckers, nightingales, hawfinches, red-back shrikes, honey buzzards, and short-toed eagles.
• Tisza Lake & Heves Plain: You will need a day or two to cover this vast plain located in Eastern Hungary. Over 300 bird species have been spotted here. The rivers and floodplains are home to a variety of water birds such as great reed warblers, coppery garganey ducks, white-tailed sea eagles, etc.

Some other popular hot spots include Kiskunsag, Zemplen Mountains and Lake Ferto and Hansag.

Tips for Planning your Birding trip to Hungary

1.    Choose your location

You’ve already decided to go to Hungary. There are many hotspots well spread all over the country be it parks, lakes, or mountains. Do proper research and decide on the places you want to visit.

You can purchase a map of birding regions, this could simplify your task.

2.    Determine your Budget

A birding trip can be as extravagant or as cost-effective as you want it. Decide on what you can afford while planning your trip. Luckily, Hungary is one of the most inexpensive places to visit in Europe. So you don’t have to break the bank to fund your trip.