Birding Eastern Europe

Special Birds: Subalpine Warbler

2012-01-19T15:10:00.001+01:00

Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans, a common migratory songbird in dry, scrub country in the southern Balkans. This male from Croatia by Nigel Sprowell.

Birding Tour to Hungary

2012-01-06T07:27:00.000+01:00

The UK based birdwatching tour company Birdfinders is running a tour to Hungary this spring from 10-17 May, 2012. Key birds sought on the tour will include Saker Falcon, Eastern Imperial and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Black Stork, Ural Owl, Syrian, White-backed, Black and Grey-faced Woodpeckers, Great Bustard, Pygmy Cormorant, Barred and River Warblers, and many, many more. For further details click here BIRDFINDERS HUNGARY.

Destinations: Zagreb - Croatia

2011-12-23T18:49:00.000+01:00

Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, has some good birding sites right on its doorstep. Maksimir Park (in photo) lies in the east, near the zoo, and has wooded areas and man-made ponds where Hawfinch, Short-toed Treecreeper and several woodpeckers are resident. In summer Collared Flycatcher, Nightingale, Serin and Golden Oriole are here, too. Savica is an area of ox-bows and gravel-pits near the River Sava where Little Bittern and White Stork, for example, can be seen. Just north of the city are the forests of Mount Medvednica where Black Woodpecker, Dipper, Crested Tit and Goshawk reside. In spring and summer migrant songbirds arrive and breed. Note: better to visit these spots on weekdays rather than weekends or public holidays.

Birding Tour: Estonia Spring 2012

2011-12-11T21:48:00.007+01:00

The UK based birdwatching tour company Heatherlea is running a tour to ESTONIA next spring. Dates are 29th April to 6th May, 2012. Key birds sought on the tour will include Whooper and Bewicks Swans, Barnacle, Bean Geese, Lesser Spotted and Greater Spotted Eagles, Hazel Grouse, Great Snipe, Corncrake, Black Stork, Pygmy and Ural Owls, White-backed and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpeckers, Common Rosefinch and Citrine Wagtail, and many, many more. For further details click here: ESTONIA TOUR

Special Birds: Syrian Woodpecker

2011-12-03T14:25:00.008+01:00

Dendrocopos syriacus is resident from lowland Czech Republic and Austria in the west, to the Ukraine in the east. It is particularly common from Hungary into the eastern Balkans. It is not a forest species, rather it lives in secondary habitats such as orchards and gardens.

Special Birds: Hawfinch

2011-10-19T10:06:00.001+02:00

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes is common and widespread in Eastern Europe. It typically occurs in deciduous woodlands but also in parks and gardens in many places. This great photo was taken in Hungary by Laszlo Nehezy.

Birding Tours: Hungary in Spring

2011-10-03T21:14:00.000+02:00

The UK based birdwatching tour company Heatherlea are running a tour to Hungary next spring. Dates are May 19-26, 2012. Key birds sought on the tour will include Pygmy Cormorant, Saker, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Red-footed Falcon, Great Bustard, Aquatic Warbler and 9 species of woodpecker. Click here for more details: HUNGARY IN SPRING.

Special Birds: Penduline Tits

2011-09-20T13:28:00.003+02:00

Penduline Tits Remiz pendulinus are common around wetlands with reeds and willow bushes across the region. Two young birds, Apaj, September 2011, by Gerard Gorman.

Special Birds: Rock Bunting

2011-09-07T07:15:00.002+02:00

Great shot of a male Rock Bunting in the Paklenica NP, Dalmatia, Croatia, by Nigel Sprowell. It is fairly common in dry, rocky, bushy areas in the Balkans.

British Birdwatching Fair Book Signing

2011-08-12T11:42:00.000+02:00

I will be at the British Birdwatching Fair next weekend (August 19-21) and signing copies of my latest book THE BLACK WOODPECKER on the Lynx Edicions stand (Marquee 1, Stands 27 & 38). Times: Saturday at 2-2.30pm and Sunday at 10.30-11am. Hope to see some of you there!

Special Birds: White Stork

2011-07-22T08:23:00.001+02:00

Always a favourite. And in Europe the east is the place with the majority of the world's population breeding. Poland in particular hosts 10s of 1000s of pairs. On migration the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria sees huge numbers pass by in September.

Special Birds: Osprey

2011-07-13T09:20:00.002+02:00

Osprey Pandion haliaetus breeds in the north of the region (Poland and Baltic States) and is a fairly common visitor in the south when on spring and autumn passage. This fine photo taken by Laszlo Becsy in Hungary.

Special Birds: Red-backed Shrike

2011-06-22T20:30:00.001+02:00

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio is a common summer visitor to Central and Eastern Europe. This one snapped at Aggtelek, Hungary, June 2011, Gerard Gorman.

Birding Tours: Hungary in Autumn

2011-06-08T12:48:00.002+02:00

A tour to eastern Hungary in October focuses on one of Europe’s great birding events. Each autumn up to 100,000 Common Cranes from Fenno-Scandia, the Baltic States, Poland and elsewhere in northern Europe congregate here. The cranes are watched flying to roost at dusk in vast skeins and feeding by day in crop fields. There are also some great resident birds like Great Bustard, Saker Falcon, White-tailed and Eastern Imperial Eagle, eight species of woodpecker including White-backed, Middle-spotted, Grey-headed, Syrian and Black, and winter visitors such as Rough-legged Buzzard and Great Grey Shrike. Wildfowl present should include Greater White-front and some Tundra and Taiga Bean Geese. Indeed, eastern Hungary is a key staging area for the threatened Lesser White fronted Goose. Other birds should include Hawfinch, Black Redstart, Rock Bunting, Short-toed Treecreeper, Marsh Harrier, Penduline Tit and Dotterel. A tremendous autumn feast of birds! This great trip is run by UK-based Heatherlea Birdwatching: click this link for more details: http://www.heatherlea.co.uk/birdwatching-holidays-hungary-autumn.asp

Special Birds: Western Rock Nuthatch

2011-05-31T19:33:00.000+02:00

This species inhabits rocky terrain with trees and bushes in the Balkans. It is often heard before it is seen. Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer by Nigel Sprowell, Croatia, April 2011.

Special Birds: Crag Martin

2011-05-26T21:10:00.004+02:00

The Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris is a locally common species in the south of the region, particularly in the Balkans. It breeds in gorges, on cliffs and sometimes on buildings. It is a rather stocky, compact hirundine with only a shallow forked tail. Photo by Nigel Sprowell taken at Paklenica, Croatia.

Special Birds: Middle Spotted Woodpecker

2011-05-20T20:33:00.003+02:00

Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius is locally common in the C and E European region. It is a bird of deciduous woodlands, especially with mature oaks.

Destinations: Aardla Polders - Estonia

2011-05-03T11:40:00.000+02:00

The wet meadows, pastures and ponds near the hamlet of Aardla, lie just south of Tartu in Estonia. Spring wader and wildfowl passage here can be impressive with several rarities recorded, too. Breeding birds include Red-necked Grebe and Citrine Wagtail. The paths which cross the polders are often flooded but the area can be viewed from adjacent roads at such times. A good, high birding tower lies at the heart of the area.

Special Birds: Syrian Woodpecker

2011-04-24T20:27:00.017+02:00

Syrian Woodpecker, a bird with a truly "eastern" distribution in Europe.

Destinations: Draganic Fish-ponds - Croatia.

2011-04-17T09:58:00.001+02:00

The Draganic fishponds are situated in the River Kupa Basin, about an hour east of Zagreb in north Croatia (to the north-east of Karlovac and south-west of Jastrebarsko). They lie just off the main A1 toll road. This is an excellent site to see Pygmy Cormorants and Ferruginous Ducks. On spring and autumn passage parties of terns, waders and wildfowl pass through. Raptors include White-tailed Eagle and Marsh Harrier.

Special Birds: Black Woodpecker

2011-04-05T17:49:00.005+02:00

Adult male Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius. Photo by Lee Mott, taken in Hungary. A widespread and locally not uncommon picid throughout Eastern Europe.

Books: Woodpeckers of Europe

2011-03-27T11:07:00.001+02:00

If you want to see all 10 species of woodpecker that occur in Europe, then you will have to head east. Countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria are home to all 9 resident species plus the migratory Wryneck. Indeed, as a general rule, the number of woodpecker species increases as one heads from the very west (for example, 1 species in Ireland, 3 in Britain, etc) eastwards. This book covers all you will need to know about the European Picidae.

Destinations: Koprarada, Soomaa - Estonia

2011-03-17T11:21:00.001+01:00

The Koprarada (Beaver Trail) is a marked path with board-walk that passes through old forest and bog at the heart of the Soomaa National Park in Estonia. Besides beavers, birds here include White-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Stork, Common Crane and a range of songbirds. Sooma NP is around 30km east of Parnu.

Birding Holiday: Hungary in October 2011

2011-03-07T08:32:00.001+01:00

From 1 - 2 October, 2011 the UK-based company Heatherlea are running a birdwatching tour to Hungary. Based at two centres in the east, in the hills and forests of the Bukk Hills and then around the plains of the Hortobagy National Park. Key species seen previously on this route include many thousands of Common Cranes, Lesser White-fronted Geese, Rough-legged and Long-legged Buzzards, Saker, White-tailed and Eastern Imperial Eagles, Stone Curlew, Syrian, White-backed and Black Woodpeckers, Dotterel, Great Grey Shrike, and many more great birds. More details via this link: HUNGARY IN AUTUMN

Special Birds: Syrian Woodpecker

2011-02-17T12:46:00.000+01:00

A real eastern European specialty bird. Resident from the Czech Republic eastwards to Russia and the Ukraine and southwards into the Balkans and Middle East. This photo is of female in Budapest, Hungary.

Special Birds: Great Bustard in flight

2011-02-07T08:12:00.000+01:00

A Great Bustard Otis tarda in flight, Kiskunsag NP, Hungary, January 2011. This species is one of the world's heaviest flying birds.

Special Birds: Common Cranes

2011-01-19T10:10:00.004+01:00

Common Cranes Grus grus breed in the northern countries of eastern Europe, from the Baltic States, through Poland to the Czech Republic. South of that they are seen on spring and autumn migration, especially in eastern Hungary in October when around 100,000 can be present. This photo shows an adult (right) with a young bird (note brown head). Taken by Gabor Kovacs, Hortobagy NP, Hungary.

Birding Tour: Hungary October 2011

2011-01-13T08:23:00.002+01:00

From 22-26 October 2011, the UK-based Oriole Birding are running a tour to eastern Hungary. The main focus will be the many 1000s of Common Cranes that occur here in autumn. Other target species on the trip will be Great Bustard, Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese, Saker Falcon, Rough-legged Buzzard, Eastern Imperial and White-tailed Eagles, Pygmy Cormorant, Long-eared Owl roosts, and 8 species of European woodpecker species are also likely. Here's the link to the trip details: FESTIVAL OF CRANES

Book on the Black Woodpecker

2011-01-05T13:20:00.001+01:00

I would like to announce that my monograph on the Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius is due to be published this July. Click here for some advanced details from the publisher: Black Woodpecker Monograph Gerard Gorman.

Birding Tours: Hungary May 2011

2010-12-31T09:29:00.004+01:00

From 21 - 28 May (2011) the UK-based company Heatherlea are once again running a birdwatching tour to Hungary. Based at two centres in the east, in the hills and forests of the Bukk Hills and then around the plains of the Hortobagy National Park. Key species seen previously on this route include Pygmy Cormorant, Black Stork, Ferruginous Duck, Red-footed Falcon, Long-legged Buzzard, Saker, White-tailed, Lesser Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles, Collared Pratincole, Stone Curlew, Ural Owl, Wryneck, Syrian, White-backed and Black Woodpeckers, Bee-eater, Roller, Lesser Grey Shrike, Icterine, Barred, River, Marsh and Aquatic Warblers, and many more great birds. More details via this link: HUNGARY IN MAY

Destinations: Nos Emine - Bulgaria.

2010-12-19T18:05:00.001+01:00

The headland of Nos Emine lies on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria. It is about 60km south of Varna and 45 north of Burgas. It is a good place to observe bird migration in autumn, especially from late August into September. White Storks can number 1000s per day and Lesser Spotted Eagle is the most numerous large raptor. Olive Tree Warbler, Sombre Tit and various shrikes, larks and wheatears breed locally. Photo taken by Gergely Kovacs.

Special Birds: White Pelicans

2010-11-23T10:21:00.000+01:00

Eurasian White Pelicans over Lake Burgas, Bulgaria. Another example of birds in an industrial landscape. Photo taken by Gergely Kovacs.

Special Birds: Long-eared Owl - roosts

2010-11-20T16:05:00.000+01:00

Long-eared Owls Asio otus are quite widespread and locally common in Eastern Europe. In winter night roosts of 50 birds, and sometimes over 100 birds together, are not uncommon. Eastern Hungary and northern Serbia are two particularly good regions for such roosts. Roosts are often in urban parks, cemeteries and the like.

Birding Tours: Croatia April 9-16, 2011

2010-11-11T13:29:00.000+01:00

From 9-16 April 2011 the UK-based company Heatherlea are running a birding tour to Croatia. The tour takes in 3 bases, 1 in the wine-country of the north and 2 on the Dalmatian coast. Key species will be Rock Partridge, Ferruginous Duck, Alpine Chough, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Scops Owl, Rufous-tailed and Blue Rock Thrushes, Western Rock Nuthatch and Black-eared Wheatear amongst many others. Click here for more info: Croatia

Special Birds: Penduline Tit

2010-11-05T20:26:00.000+01:00

The dainty little Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus is a common bird of wetlands with trees throughout the region. Populations in the north are migratory, those in the south largely sedentary. Photo taken at Hortobagy, Hungary by Nigel Sprowell.

Tour Company Profile: Oriole Birding

2010-10-30T13:44:00.001+02:00

Oriole Birding are based in the UK and indeed they run tours around Britain. However Oriole also have an international portfolio of trips with a strong emphasis in Eastern Europe. For example, week-long and shorter birding breaks to Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia etc.

Birding Tours: WildWings - Hungarian Bird Festival 2011

2010-10-22T13:57:00.001+02:00

From 8-15 May, 2011, the UK-based company WildWings are once again running the Hungarian Bird Festival. This is a different kind of birding holiday where once in place participants choose each day whether to join guided excusions, short or long, or do their own birding. It is based in the east at the famous Hortobagy area with excursions to nearby hills and forests also arranged. Key species to be expected are Pygmy Cormorant, Red-footed Falcon, Saker, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Ural Owl, Barred, River and Aquatic Warblers, etc. For more info click this link: Hungarian Bird Festival

Special Birds: Common Cranes

2010-10-14T17:06:00.003+02:00

The east of Hungary sees 10s of 1000s of Common Cranes Grus grus visit and stop-over every autumn. For example, last week 22,550 were counted in Hortobagy area. By the end of October around 100,000 can be present. It is a true birding spectacle. Numbers have steadily increased in recent years.

Special Birds: Dalmatian Pelicans

2010-10-01T10:56:00.003+02:00

Dalmatian Pelicans in an industrial landscape. Photo taken at Lake Burgas, Bulgaria, in August 2010 by Gergely Kovacs.

Birding Tours: Croatia 2011

2010-09-26T16:11:00.003+02:00

From 4-8 April 2011 the UK-based company Birdfinders are running a tour to Croatia. Based in Dalmatia key target species will be Rock Partridge, Alpine Chough, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Scops Owl, Rufous-tailed and Blue Rock Thrushes, Western Rock Nuthatch and Black-eared Wheatear amongst others. Click here for the online brochure page: CROATIA BIRD TOUR

Special Birds: displaying Great Bustard

2010-09-16T10:51:00.004+02:00

This wonderful photo of a male Great Bustard in display was taken by Gabor Kovacs in the Hortobagy NP, Hungary, in spring 2010. This pose, when males turn their white feathers up and inside-out, has been described as the "foam bath".

Destinations: Las Wolski, Krakow - Poland

2010-09-07T18:13:00.002+02:00

Las Wolski is a fine parkland and forest on the western edge of the city of Krakow. It is composed of mixed broadleaved and coniferous tree species, with some old stands, and can be reached in minutes from the city by public bus. A series of marked walking trails cross the forest. Birds include 8 resident woodpeckers species, Firecrest and Goldcrest, various tits and in spring and summer 4 flycatchers.

Special Birds: Rock Bunting

2010-08-31T04:18:00.002+02:00

Rock Bunting Emberiza cia is a locally common bird in dry, scrubby, rocky habitats in the south of the region, particularly the Balkan countries. This great photo of singing male was taken by Mladen Vasilev in Bulgaria.

Birding Tours: Poland 2011

2010-08-25T11:42:00.004+02:00

From 14 - 21 May 2011, the UK company Heatherlea is running a birdwatching tour to POLAND. Based at two centres in the east, in the forests of Bialowieza and then around the wetlands of the Biebrza National Park, key species seen previously on this easy-going tour are White and Black Storks, White-tailed, Lesser and Great Spotted Eagles, Wryneck, Great Snipe, White-winged Black Tern, Three-toed, Grey-headed and Black Woodpeckers, Great Grey Shrike, Icterine, Barred, River, Marsh and Aquatic Warblers, and many more great birds. More info via this link: POLAND TOUR.

Special Birds: Little Crake

2010-08-15T20:13:00.003+02:00

Little Crake Porzana parva is another classic breeding bird of Eastern Europe. Though often hard to observe being a small, unobtrusive dweller of reedbeds, it is actually rather common locally.

Special Birds: Syrian Woodpecker male

2010-08-02T12:03:00.006+02:00

This great shot of a male Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus (note the red nape patch) was taken in his native Bulgaria by Mladen Vasilev.

Special Birds: White-backed Woodpecker male

2010-07-25T17:57:00.003+02:00

This photo of an adult male White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos was taken in Hungary by Laszlo Becsy. There are two races of this species, the nominate leucotos in northern and central Europe eastwards into Asia (as the bird here) and lilfordi in southern Europe, in the Mediterranean and Balkan countries.

Books: The Birds of Hungary

2010-07-16T12:24:00.005+02:00

The Birds of Hungary by Gerard Gorman (Christopher Helm, London) is a status handbook of all the birds known to have occurred in Hungary up to 1995. Introductory sections cover Nomenclature, Geographical Background, Land Use, Habitats, Climate, Conservation, Reserves & Parks, and Migration. The bulk of the book is taken up with a species by species status review and each species has a range map (this is the first time ever that maps have been produced and published for all the birds occurring in Hungary). As well as Status data notes on Distribution and Timing indicate the areas and periods where and when each species is present. There are also very useful tables and charts covering such topics as Aquatic Warbler numbers and trends and the Status of Breeding Birds of Prey. The book is enlivened by black & white line drawings by John Davis. If the visiting birder uses this book with one of the above mentioned guides he/she will be wonderfully equipped with all the practical information needed to plan and execute a successful visit.

Destinations: Burzyn, Biebrza NP - Poland

2010-07-11T09:42:00.004+02:00

This spot, near the hamlet of the same name, offers a great view over the marshes and flood plain of the Biebrza River. In spring, April and early May, masses of wildfowl, gulls and waders gather here and some stay to breed. Burzyn lies on the western side of the Biebrza National Park, in the SW, a few miles north of Wizna.

Special Birds: The Ural Owl

2010-07-01T10:58:00.004+02:00

Ural Owl Strix uralensis is a bird that is often high on the list of species that visitors to Eastern Europe want to see. It inhabits forests throughout the region from the Baltic States to the Balkans. Photo by Juozas Miskinis taken in Lithuania.

Special Birds: Red-crested Pochard - Male

2010-06-20T08:58:00.003+02:00

Male Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina. A stunningly handsome drake.

Special Birds: Red-crested Pochard - Female

2010-06-10T21:26:00.005+02:00

Female Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina. Arguably not as attractive as the drake but nevertheless still distinctive.

Destinations: Biebrza Marshes - Poland

2010-06-01T19:53:00.004+02:00

Storm brewing over the Biebrza Marshes, NE Poland, May 2010. This huge wetland area of fens, marshes, bogs, meadows, pastures and woodlands along the River Biebrza is home to 1000s of breeding White-winged Black Terns, is a stronghold of Aquatic Warblers and holds a few leks of Great Snipe... amongst many others.

Birding Tour: Hungary in Autumn

2010-05-17T19:07:00.004+02:00

Click this link for details of Heatherlea's 2010 Autumn Birding Tour to Hungary: Huge migration of Common Cranes, White-tailed Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Saker, Long-legged Buzzard, wildfowl, waders and a host of woodpeckers.

Special Birds: Red-breasted Geese

2010-05-10T13:07:00.003+02:00

Great shot of Red-breasted Geese Branta ruficollis in flight by Pete Ferrara. Taken on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria in autumn/fall 2009.

Destinations: Pirin - Bulgaria

2010-05-01T07:28:00.005+02:00

Now here is a rugged place for you! The Pirin range is in south-west Bulgaria. There are forests of conifer and broadleaved at lower levels and bar rock and scree higher up. All in all this scenic area is suited to a hiking, walking, birding trip not a quick visit. Birds include Alpine Chough, Alpine Accentor, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin and Rock Bunting. In the forests there are Ural Owls and Black, Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpeckers. With luck you might even find Shore Lark or Wallcreeper here. The best approach to the western Pirin is in the south-west via the towns of Blagoevgrad and Sandanski. Bansko is the region's hiking and skiing base. Photo Mladen Vasilev.

Special Birds: Semi-collared Flycatcher

2010-04-27T22:56:00.005+02:00

Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata is one of the most wanted birds on many "western" birders' lists. In Europe Bulgaria is the place to see this species, in deciduous, particular oak, woodlands along the Black Sea coast such as Kamchia and Ropotamo-Arkutino. Indeed, this photo of a male was taken by Mladen Vasilev in Bulgaria.

Special Birds: Rough-legged Buzzard

2010-04-21T08:54:00.003+02:00

This great photo of a Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus (aka Rough-legged Hawk) was taken in Bulgaria in February 2010 by Mladen Vasilev. This species does not breed in the Eastern European region but is a regular winter visitor, mostly to lowland plains. More of Mladen's work can be seen here.

Special Birds: Long-legged Buzzard

2010-04-12T14:02:00.002+02:00

This superb flight shot of Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus was taken by Pete Ferrara in Bulgaria in the winter of 2009. This species is fairly widespread in lowlands in the Balkans, especially in Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria, and reaches as far north as eastern Hungary.

Destinations: Pakri neem - Estonia

2010-03-29T15:24:00.005+02:00

The Pakri neem headland can be a wind-swept and desolate place, with its old lighthouse and crumbling Soviet army ruins. But at the right times, with favourable weather in spring and autumn it is an excellent passage watch-point. Drivers, wildfowl, gulls and raptors can be numerous and several Estonian rarities have been found here. This is also the best place in Estonia to see Black Guillemot. It is just north of Paldiski which is an hour west of Tallinn by the coastal road number 19.

Special Birds: Eagle Owl

2010-03-18T07:42:00.006+01:00

Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo is Europe's largest owl, sometimes 4 kilos in weight. It is powerful predator of the night. Eagle Owls are widespread and live in a variety of habitats in the region, urban and wilderness, from sea-level to high mountains but usually in rocky places. This photo by Peter Ferrara was taken in eastern Bulgaria.

Destinations: Slovensky Raj - Slovakia

2010-03-08T20:10:00.003+01:00

Slovensky Raj is known in English as the Slovak Paradise. It is indeed a scenic mountain area, a National Park with streams and waterfalls. There are extensive mixed forests of beech and conifer with most of the forest and sub-Alpine birds that one would expect in Central Europe. For example, Three-toed and Black Woodpeckers, Pygmy and Ural Owls, Hazel Grouse, Wallcreeper, Dipper, Crested and Willow Tits and Nutcracker etc. There are also Wolves, Lynx and Brown Bears here. This is not an easy place to bird, so some effort will be needed to get the rewards. The park has an extensive, marked system of hiking trails though some are tough, with ladders to climb and walkways to cross, so check contours on the good local maps before you set off. The gateway to the area is the town of Spisska Nova Ves.

Destinations: Haapsalu - Estonia

2010-02-24T14:30:00.005+01:00

The small town of Haapsalu lies in NW Estonia in Laane County right on the Baltic Coast. Tallinn is 100km away to the NE by road. This is a comfortable place to bird, indeed a good range of wetland birds - wildfowl, waders, terns and gulls - can often be seen from the waterfront prom and waterside hotels. On the east side of town there is even a high observation tower from which to scan the bay, though it can be windy here. The northern part of the town is a tuning-fork shaped peninsula that juts into Haapsalu Bay. Some of this is a port and closed off, but there are places from where the water can be scanned. In spring grebes, swans and sea-duck flock here and White-tailed Eagles regularly drop in. In summer Haapsalu is packed with tourists and not the best for birding.

Birding Tours: Hungary Spring 2010

2010-02-15T12:24:00.005+01:00

From 22 - 29 May (2010) the UK company Heatherlea are running a birdwatching tour to Hungary. Based at two centres in the east, in the forests of the Bukk Hills and then on the flatlands of the Hortobagy National Park, key species seen previously on this easy-going tour are Pygmy Cormorant, Black Stork, Ferruginous Duck (as in the photo here), Red-footed Falcon, Long-legged Buzzard, Saker, White-tailed, Lesser Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles, Collared Pratincole, Stone Curlew, Ural Owl, Wryneck, Syrian, White-backed and Black Woodpeckers, Bee-eater, Roller, Lesser Grey Shrike, Icterine, Barred, River, Marsh and Aquatic Warblers, and many, many more. More info via this link: Hungary Heatherlea.

Hungary: A Birding Festival

2010-02-04T10:38:00.005+01:00

From 2-9 May, 2010, the UK company WildWings are once again running the Hungarian Bird Festival. This is a different kind of birding holiday where once in place participants choose each day whether to join guided excusions, short or long, or do their own birding. Based in the east by the Hortobagy area with excursions to nearby hills and forests, too, key species to be expected are Pygmy Cormorant, Red-footed Falcon, Saker, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Ural Owl, Barred, River and Aquatic Warblers, etc. For more info click this link to: http://www.wildwings.co.uk/hungary.html

Photo of a Saker in the Hortobagy National Park by Gabor Kovacs.

Serbia: A Birding Tour

2010-01-21T10:01:00.005+01:00

Few birders visit Serbia and this is a mistake! But here is your chance. From May 10-17, 2010, Probirder is running a guided tour around the heart of the country. It is an original tour itinerary. Let me stress that Serbia is a great, and safe, birding destination. The tour visits the Fruska Gora Nat Park and the Maljen Mountains, and focuses on a range of upland and lowland species including Rock Partridge, Booted Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Hazel Grouse, Nutcracker, Sombre Tit, Black-headed Bunting etc. In the photo here is Eurasian Nutcracker (by local birder Katarina Paunovic) another great bird that should be seen on this tour. For more details, just get in touch via this blog.

Destinations: Velebit Mountains - Croatia

2010-01-18T07:36:00.003+01:00

The Velebit Mountains lie in Croatia and run from north to south just inland from the coast. In places they rise quite sharply from the Adriatic up to sub-Alpine like habitats. The coastal, western flanks are covered in Mediterranean vegetation and the eastern slopes more Continental. Rock Partridge is fairly common in the warmer, stony areas. Other birds, depending of course upon habitat and season, include Scops and Eagle Owls, Peregrine, Short-toed and Golden Eagles, Common and Rock Nuthatches, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear, Common and Alpine Swifts, Crag Martin and a range of scrub and woodland warblers. A wide range of butterflies occurs in summer and the dry limestone landscapes are ideal for reptiles such as Hermann's Tortoise, Dalmatian Algyroides, Balkan Green Lizard, Dalmatian Wall Lizard, Horvath's Rock Lizard and many others. Mammals include Brown Bear, Wolf and Chamois. Photo here shows the Velebits in the depths of winter.

Special Birds: Fieldfare

2010-01-15T18:25:00.004+01:00

The Fieldfare Turdus pilaris is another species that breeds in the north of the region but which in the south is only really seen in winter. A breeding population does however exist in Romania, to the south of its main breeding range, up in the Carpathians. In most winters large flocks of this thrush often invade the warmer climes. It is resident sand quite common in many countries north of Hungary. Photo taken by Laszlo Becsy.

Probirder - from the Baltic to the Balkans...

2010-01-10T12:00:00.009+01:00

Probirder organises birding tours and arranges birding and wildlife guides in Eastern Europe. If you are planning a trip to Eastern Europe then Probirder is the right place to go for assistance. In particular, if you are looking for a quality birding or wildlife-watching tour then Probirder can help with an unrivalled selection of carefully planned tour itineraries. Many global wildlife holiday companies and bird clubs, societies, families with children and disabled birders have used Probirder. Besides birds, tours focusing on mammals, butterflies, natural history in general and wildlife tracking are run, too. Probirder ... from the Baltic to the Balkans...

Birding Tours: Hungary October 2010

2010-01-03T13:27:00.003+01:00

From 23-27 October 2010, the UK tour company Oriole Birding are running a tour to eastern Hungary. The main focus is the 1000s upon 1000s of Common Cranes that occur here in autumn. Other key target species on the trip are Great Bustard, Lesser White-fronted Geese, Saker, Rough-legged Buzzard, Eastern Imperial and White-tailed Eagles, Dotterel, Pygmy Cormorant, Long-eared Owl roosts, and 8 species of European woodpecker species are likely. Here's the link to the trip details: Hungary Festival of Cranes

Special birds: Slavonian Grebe

2009-12-28T12:03:00.004+01:00

The Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus (aka Horned Grebe) is a breeding species in the north of the region and a winter visitor in the south. The southern limit of the breeding range is composed of a few pairs in northern Poland. North of here it becomes more common in the Baltic States on shallow, well-vegetated fresh-water wetlands. It is a smallish grebe and males in breeding plumage in spring and summer have bright golden "horns" which are feathery tufts at the side of the head. Photo by Laszlo Becsy.

Destinations: Soomaa - Estonia

2009-12-23T07:56:00.003+01:00

Soomaa is a myriad of bogs, fens, rivers and forests by the River Parnu in Estonia. Much of the area is a National Park with well-marked trails and visitor centres off the gravel roads that cross the park. Great birds here include Black, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Lesser Spotted and Golden Eagles, Black and White Storks, Hazel Grouse, Capercaillie, Corncrake, Common Crane and Ural and Pygmy Owls. Soomaa floods almost every spring and indeed this is one of the best times to visit scenically but birding in parts of the NP are difficult then, without a boat! Sooma NP is around 30km east of Parnu.

Birding Tours: Hungary May 2010

2009-12-14T19:28:00.007+01:00

From 17-24 May 2010, the UK company Birdfinders are running a tour to eastern Hungary. Key species on the trip are Great Bustard, Saker, Eastern Imperial and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Red-footed Falcon, Pygmy Cormorant, Black Stork, Ural and Eagle Owls, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers, Aquatic, River and Barred Warbler and 9 species of European woodpecker species are likely. Many birds, like the White Storks in this photo, will be breeding! Here's the link to the trip details:

Hungary in May

Destinations: Saaremaa Island - Estonia

2009-12-04T08:31:00.005+01:00

Saaremaa is Estonia's largest island. It lies in the Baltic off the west coast of the mainland and is accessible by regular ferries. Besides a spectacular coastline, there are wetlands and forests on Saaremaa and there are "good birds" on the island and on the surrounding sea all year round. Many typical Baltic species breed and sea-ducks including Steller's Eiders winter in good numbers. Both spring and autumn migration can be spectacular in terms of numbers and rarities. A bird observatory and ringing centre at Sorve, in the very south-west of the island at the tip of the peninsula of the same name, has turned up many vagrants. Note that weather can be very variable here, especially in winter!

Birding Tours: Estonia - March 2010

2009-11-25T12:40:00.005+01:00

From March 22-28, 2010, I will be guiding a birding tour in Estonia. This will be another original tour itinerary and the main target will be Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri. These lovely ducks winter in the area and we will search for rafts of them in the seas off Saaremaa island. Other birds should include Hazel Grouse, Nutcracker and several owls and woodpeckers. If you wish to come along, then drop me a line.

Special birds: Short-toed Lark

2009-11-16T18:52:00.006+01:00

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla is a small lark, a little smaller than Skylark, and a bird of dry grasslands, steppes and barren farmland. In Eastern Europe it occurs mainly in lowlands in the Balkans. This fine photo was taken by Earl Harrison in Dobrugea, Bulgaria.

Special birds: Three-toed Woodpecker alpinus race

2009-11-08T11:49:00.002+01:00

The alpinus race of Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker is found in the centre and south of Europe, in several rather isolated populations in the Alps, the Bavarian Forest (Germany), the Sumava Mountains (Czech Rep), the Carpathians, the Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria), the Balkan Range and the Dinaric Alps (Croatia) etc. Note in this shot that the white back patch is marked with black bars. This is a variable feature, but generally typical for alpinus. Photo of this male taken by Ralph Martin in Bavaria.

Destinations: Somova Oak Pasture - Romania

2009-11-01T12:02:00.003+01:00

This open oak woodland lies in north-west Romania, just west of the village of Somova along road 22. Tulcea is just 30 minutes to the east via the same road. In season this is a good site for Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Wryneck, Booted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Sombre Tit, Woodlark and Ortolan. Avoid on holidays when locals picnic here in numbers.

Autumn Sights: Common Cranes

2009-10-25T08:27:00.003+01:00

Every autumn, from late September, through October to early November, 10s of 1000s of Common Cranes Grus grus gather in the Hortobagy National Park, Hungary. These graceful birds linger in eastern Hungary before heading on south as winter sets in. Numbers have steadily increased in recent years and peaked last week at about 140,000. It is a great event and experience of sights and sounds.

Birding Tours: Serbia - May 2010

2009-10-15T07:49:00.004+02:00

From May 10-17, 2010, I will be guiding a birding tour in Serbia. This will be an original tour itinerary... few "western" birders ever visit Serbia, though it is a great, and safe, destination. We will visit the Fruska Gora NP and Maljen Mountains, looking for a range of upland and lowland species including Rock Partridge, Booted Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Hazel Grouse, Nutcracker, Sombre Tit, Black-headed Bunting etc. In the photo here is Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator another bird we should see on this tour. For more details, get in touch.

Autumn Sights: Greater White-fronted Geese

2009-09-30T10:16:00.004+02:00

Throughout Eastern Europe, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, autumn is upon us and the wildfowl are starting to arrive in flocks. Here is a flock of Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons taken in the Czech Republic by Mike Crutch.

Birding Tours: Hungary & Slovakia - May 2010

2009-09-23T11:09:00.009+02:00

From 19-28 May 2010 the UK-based company Oenanthe are running a tour to Hungary & Slovakia. The tour takes in the very best of the uplands and lowlands of these two great birding countries. Key species on the trip are: Saker, Eastern Imperial and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Red-footed Falcon, Pygmy Cormorant, Hazel Grouse, Black Stork, Ural, Eagle, Pygmy and Tengmalm's Owls, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers, Aquatic, River and Barred Warbler and all 10 European woodpecker species are likely. Here's the link to the trip details: http://www.oenanthe.co.uk/tours/hungary_slovakia_2010/hungary_slovakia_2010.html

Destinations: The High Tatras, Slovakia

2009-09-19T21:44:00.007+02:00

The High Tatras (Vysoke Tatry) are Slovakia's highest mountain range. They lie in the north on the border with Poland. The city of Poprad just to the south is the gateway. Most of the area is a National Park. These are serious, rugged mountains with several peaks over 2000 m. The highest peaks can be accessed in season by chair-lift or gondola. Much of the lower elevations were blanketed in conifer and mixed forests until a "hurricane" felled large areas a few years ago. At high levels there are tarns, scree, cliffs and impressive rock formations. The high-altitude zone has Ring Ouzel, Rock Pipit, Alpine Accentor and Wallcreeper. Coniferous forests have Hazel Grouse, Capercaillie, Pygmy and Tengmalm's Owls, Three-toed Woodpecker, Common Crossbill, Siskin and Nutcracker. Truth is, this a tough area to bird, and weather can be very changable, so the High Tatras are only suitable for those with plenty of time, energy and patience.

Special Birds: Syrian Woodpecker

2009-09-12T21:31:00.004+02:00

Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus is very much an Eastern European bird. The further west it gets in breeding range is central Austria and there are no records in countries west of here. It occurs from Poland, where it is localised, southwards to the Balkans. In parts of Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria it is common. This "pied" woodpecker inhabits lowland, secondary habitats such as orchards, gardens and parks. It is rarely seen in woodland proper.

Destinations: Lake Visovac, Krka NP, Croatia

2009-09-04T09:32:00.005+02:00

Lake Visovac (Visovac jezero) is a huge waterbody along the Krka River within the Krka National Park in Croatia. It is not always easy to access the waterside, given the often steep rugged terrain, but good spots to scan the water are at Samostan Visovac (west shore: see photo) and the boat jetty at Stinice (opposite on the east shore). Between these two points is the small island of Visovac, though this is not worth visiting for birds. Birds include Pygmy Cormorant, Short-toed Eagle, Yellow-legged Gull, Cirl Bunting, Golden Oriole and Fan-tailed, Great Reed and Cetti's Warblers. On passage wildfowl and waders stop over.

Destinations: Haeska - Estonia

2009-08-31T08:09:00.004+02:00

Haeska is a hamlet on the northern side of Matsalu Bay (Matsalu laht) in Estonia. There is a high birdwatching tower here (Haeska Linnutorn) which gives views over the bay. In season, this is a great place to scan for waterfowl, wildfowl and waders. The surrounding grazing pastures, on the approach road to the tower, are often full of Barnacle Geese in spring. Rarities like Red-breasted Goose and Lesser White-fronted Goose turn up here every year, too.

Birding Tours: Eastern Romania - July 2010

2009-08-25T14:02:00.004+02:00

From 4-10 July 2010 the Scotland based company Heatherlea are running a tour to Eastern Romania. It is based mainly in the Danube Delta with time also birding the steppes, lagoons and woods in Dobrudja along the Black Sea coast. Key species are Dalmatian and White Pelicans, Ruddy Shelduck, Booted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Pied and Isabelline Wheatears, Paddyfield Warbler, Rose-coloured Starling, Sombre Tit and many more. Here is the link:http://www.heatherlea.co.uk/birdwatching-holidays/overseas/romania.htm

Special birds: Steller's Eider

2009-08-18T09:13:00.004+02:00

Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri breeds in the Arctic, but many winter in the Baltic. Good areas to search for rafts of this very attractive diving duck are the seas off Estonia and Latvia, from November through to March. At this time, however, male birds will not be in their striking breeding plumage. And it can be cold and tough hereabouts at that time and trips to the offshore islands maybe needed, too. Photo by Jari Peltomaki.

Special birds: Short-toed Eagle

2009-08-12T09:38:00.004+02:00

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus is a fairly common and widespread bird of prey in the drier, southern countries of the region where its reptile prey (snakes, lizards) abound. Further north, from the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the Baltic States it is rather scarce. A migrant, most arrive in March-April and leave in September. Photo by Dan Bastaja: Kiskunsag, Hungary, August 2009.

Conservation: ODNS (Slovakia)

2009-08-03T22:23:00.007+02:00

There are many non-governmental conservation organisations in the Eastern European region. I intend to occasionally highlight them in this blog. Here is the first Ochrana Dravcov Na Slovensko (ODNS) which is an NGO that focuses on raptor protection and research in Slovakia.

Special birds: Capercaillie

2009-07-24T11:15:00.003+02:00

Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus is Europe's biggest grouse species. It occurs mainly in old-growth conifer forests in the Baltic States, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and the uplands of the Balkan countries. But it is not common anywhere in the region, indeed in many areas it seems to be in decline. To see it you will probably need some local info or even an expert guide. Photo by kind permission of Kevin at Heatherlea Birdwatching Tours.

Destinations: Letea - Romania

2009-07-15T12:14:00.003+02:00

This remote village in the north-east of the Danube Delta in Romania is only accessible by boat. Just behind the village is a large salt-lake, which dries out in sumer. There is a colony of Collared Pratincoles here and Kentish Plover. The village itself has resident Syrian Woodpeckers and Little Owls. On passage, when the surrounds of the village are wet, waders drop in. The route to Letea is via lily-clad and reed-lined channels where Little Crake, Red-necked Grebes and Ferruginous Ducks, amongst many others, breed.

Destinations: Boddi-Szek - Hungary

2009-07-06T08:05:00.003+02:00

Boddi-szek is a large salt-lake in the Kiskunsag region of Hungary. In spring and autumn varying level of water are here, in high summer the lake is often dry. This is an excellent site for passage waders, and several rarities have been found here, and Kentish Plover is in one of its very few Hungarian breeding sites. In autumn and winter large numbers of geese occur, mostly Greater White-fronts, some Bean and also often a few Red-breasted Geese. The area lies to the south of the main Kecskemet-Solt road (52) and north of road 53, to the east of the village of Dunatetetlen. It is only marked on the most detailed local marks. A tall observation-tower lies on its northern edge.

Destinations: Lake Hasarlac - Romania

2009-06-29T08:31:00.002+02:00

This shallow lake in eastern Romania, in Dobrudja, lies right by road 22a near Hirsova. It is smaller than most of the coastal lagoons and so can be easily scanned. It can be viewed from the roadside or from a tracks on adjacent hillsides and low sandy cliffs. From spring to autumn Ruddy Shelducks are likely here along with many of the other wetland birds one would expect in this eastern Romania - Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, etc.

Special birds: Tengmalm's Owl

2009-06-19T18:10:00.003+02:00

Tengmalm's Owl Aegolius funereus (aka Boreal Owl) is a scattered breeder in the region. In some years good numbers occur in older conifer forests in the Baltic States, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It is highly localised in other areas, though numbers may be underestimated in the upland forests of the Balkan countries. As with other owls breeding numbers, and the timing of breeding, relates to prey populations. Highly nocturnal, Tengmalm's Owls are hard to find and observe away from occupied nest sites.

Winter Hungarian Bird Festival

2009-06-15T09:31:00.006+02:00

From 29 November to 6 December this year (2009) the UK company WildWings are running a birding tour to Hungary. This tour with a difference is called the WInter Hungarian Bird Festival. Rather than everyone on the tour go on fixed excursions the concept on this holiday is one of flexibility. Each day participants choose whether to join guided excusions, short or long by bus and 4x4, or do their own birding on foot or by bike. Based in Tata in the west of Hungary, key target species will be wildfowl such as Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese, Red-breasted Goose, as well as 8 species of woodpecker, Great Bustard, Saker, Eastern Imperial Eagle, White-taile Eagle, etc. Here is the link: http://www.wildwings.co.uk/winterhungary.html

Special Birds: Common Tern

2009-06-05T11:43:00.004+02:00

Common Tern Sterna hirundo is locally common in the region. In fact it is the most common sterna species over much of Eastern Europe, nesting in small colonies on the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Sea coastlines and inland by lakes, fishponds and on rivers with gravel islets. Photo by Alan Outen taken at Stari Paklenica, Croatia, April 2009.

Destinations: Alam-Pedja - Estonia

2009-06-01T14:21:00.006+02:00

This vast area (over 250 km2) is comprised of rivers, bogs, fens and wet forests dotted with the odd hamlet. Around 200 bird species have been recorded, but it has to be said that many of these are often hard to find given the terrain and its extent. Breeding raptors include Golden, White-tailed, Lesser Spotted and Greater Spotted Eagles, Osprey and Hen and Marsh Harriers. Other birds are Hazel and Black Grouse, Common Crane, Nutcracker, Ural, Tengmalm's and Pygmy Owls and 6 resident woodpecker species. Passerines include most of the boreal species one would expect in the Baltics. The area lies in central Estonia, 30km NW of Tartu, just off the main road 2 to Tallinn. There are some well-marked trails and board-walks.

Destinations: Pikla - Estonia

2009-05-21T12:40:00.003+02:00

The disused fish-ponds at Pikla lie by the hamlet of the same name on Estonia's Baltic Coast south of Parnu, about 12km north of Haademeeste, between road 4 and the sea. There are ponds, reedbeds, meadows, dunes and the sea itself. There are 3 bird-towers here, one over the ponds, 2 looking out to sea. Passage birds include all the swans, geese, gulls, terns, waders and warblers that one would expect hereabouts. Rarities for Estonia are sometimes found here, too. Breeding birds include Little and Spotted Crakes, Savi's Warbler and Bearded and Penduline Tits.

Special Birds: Common Sparrowhawk

2009-05-11T15:22:00.006+02:00

Common Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus is a common and widespread bird in the region. Though often secretive in the breeding season it is regularly seen at other times and even moves into urban areas in winter. This female was photographed in the centre of Mikulov, South Moravia, Czech Republic, in March 2009.