In May 2019, fifteen members from the three birding groups and the wildlife group, went to Hungary. The holiday was arranged by Bird Holidays based in Yeadon, Leeds (www.birdholidays.co.uk). For most of the members, this was the second holiday with Bird Holidays and we again enjoyed the fantastic experiences offered. Thanks are due to Andy from Bird Holidays and Tamás and Zoli from Sakertour (www.sakertour.com), who were the specialist Hungarian guides for the trip.
After leaving the airport in Budapest the group was taken to part of the nearby Kiskunsági nature reserve to see Great Bustards. The group then moved on to the Hortobágy region (wetlands and plains) for four nights before moving onto the Tokaj wine region and the Zemplén Hills for three nights, before returning to the airport at Budapest for the flight home. Because of the expertise and experience of Tamáz and Zoli, the group was privileged to be allowed access to a drinking pool hide in the Debrecen Great Wood and other specific nesting sites in the Hortobágy region and the Zemplén Hills.
For a map of the areas covered, the following Michelin site is useful: