Hortobágy field check trip

In the middle of the first September week we visited Hortobágy National Park in Hungary. Our main aim was to make a few arrangements for our October trip in this area focused on Common Crane migration. We visited modern Lake Tisza Ecocenter, tasted local cuisine and did a little bit of birdwatching.

Lake Tisza Ecocenter / Ekocentrum pri jazere Tisa

Lake Tisza Ecocenter / Ekocentrum pri jazere Tisa

Our first stop was Lake Tisza Ecocenter in Poroszló.

Native fauna exposition / Expozícia domácej fauny

Native fauna exposition / Expozícia domácej fauny

At the ecocenter ground floor you will find an exposition of reptiles and amphibians living in this area.

aquarium in ecocenter / akvárium v ekocentre

aquarium in ecocenter / akvárium v ekocentre

In the basement we visited an unique aquarium with local species of fish. We liked most the largest tank, underneath which visitors can go through a transparent tunnel. For each species of fish a description in Hungarian and English is available.

European Sturgeon (Huso huso) vyza veľká

European Sturgeon (Huso huso) vyza veľká

Beluga, the largest freshwater fish, is also present in the aquarium´s tanks. Once abundant also in Slovakia, its´way  Danube’s upstream is now impossible due to the large dams build.

on the tower of the ecocenter / na veži ekocentra

on the tower of the ecocenter / na veži ekocentra

We took a lift from basement to the tower that offers panoramic view on the Lake Tisza surroundings.

view on Lake Tisza / výhľad na jazero Tisa

view on Lake Tisza / výhľad na jazero Tisa

We were interested mainly in lake and wooden sightseeing path in the reed.

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) čaplička vlasatá

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) čaplička vlasatá

At canals along the building of ecocenter were hidden rare species of herons. Beside Squacco and Purple Heron we observed Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) as well.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) kršiak rybár

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) kršiak rybár

Osprey, that migrates south in this time of year, flew over our heads.

water taxi / vodný taxík

water taxi / vodný taxík

Wooden path in the reeds of Lake Tisza is accessible only by boat.

sightseeing wooden path / vyhliadkový drevený chodník

sightseeing wooden path / vyhliadkový drevený chodník

Wooden path runs over the surface of the lake. It offers views into small closed ponds or it is aligned by reeds from  both sides.

sightseeing wooden path / vyhliadkový drevený chodník

sightseeing wooden path / vyhliadkový drevený chodník

In spring and summer it must be a perfect place for plenty of songbirds. We heard and later observed at least Bearded Reedlings (Panurus biarmicus).

birdwatching hide / kryt na pozorovanie vtáctva

birdwatching hide / kryt na pozorovanie vtáctva

Wooden path connects two hides and one watching tower.

quiet corners of Lake Tisza / tiché zákutia na jazere Tisza

quiet corners of Lake Tisza / tiché zákutia na jazere Tisza

View from the watching tower.

resting birds / oddychujúce vtáctvo

resting birds / oddychujúce vtáctvo

We observed several bird species from the hides. Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus) and Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) were roosting on dry branches. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in the background.

Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmeus) kormorán malý

Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmeus) kormorán malý

This Pygmy Cormorant posed for few minutes.

Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) chochlačka bielooká

Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) chochlačka bielooká

Rare Ferruginous Duck was feeding on the lake covered in water plants.

Little Crake (Porzana parva) chriašť malý

Little Crake (Porzana parva) chriašť malý

We spotted four Little Crakes. It was a lifelist tick for three of us.

dragonfly / bližšie neurčená vážka

dragonfly / bližšie neurčená vážka

Lake Tisza is a home for various species of insects.

We made a stop in puszta on our way to national park information center.

Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) sokol kobcovitý

Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) sokol kobcovitý

We observed c40 Red-footed Falcons. This species is extremely rare in Slovakia.

late lunch in local road inn / neskorý obed v csárde

late lunch in local road inn / neskorý obed v csárde

We decided to taste local cuisine. Debrecen cabbage filled with meat looked great.

it's done... / zjedené...

it’s done… / zjedené…

And tasted great as well!

Hortobágy pancake / Hortobáďska palacinka

Hortobágy pancakes / Hortobáďska palacinka

Another pick from menu were Hortobágy pancakes.

Somlói galuska

Somlói galuska

Some of us wanted also a dessert.

We took a short walk after the lunch. We found Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) and a female Teal (Anas crecca) on a small lake.

List of observed bird species:
Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Teal (Anas crecca)
Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis / Podiceps ruficollis)
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
Great Egret (Ardea alba / Egretta alba)
Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmeus / Phalacrocorax pygmeus)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)
Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
Little Crake (Porzana parva)
Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Coot (Fulica atra)
Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos / Tringa hypoleucos)
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus / Larus ridibundus)
large gull (Larus cachinnans/michahellis)
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)
Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
unidentified woodpecker (Dendrocopos sp.)
Common Magpie (Pica pica)
Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
Great Tit (Parus major)
Bearded Reeding (Panurus biarmicus)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
House Martin (Delichon urbicum / Delichon urbica)
Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)
European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola / Saxicola torquata)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

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