Birding Day Trip - January 03 at Apaj region

A Sunny Winter Birdwatching Day: January 3

After several days of persistent fog, we were finally greeted by sunny weather on January 3, with temperatures around 4°C. Our birding adventure began at 8 AM from a central Budapest hotel. We headed towards Bugyi-Apaj, located in the northern regions of the Kiskunság National Park—one of Hungary's top birdwatching destinations.

In approximately 40 minutes, we reached the agricultural fields near Bugyi. Our first goal was to search for Great Bustards (Otis tarda), and we were thrilled to spot two birds flying overhead. Next, we explored the grassy plains around Apaj. Among a large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons), we successfully picked out a Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis), a fantastic find. Additionally, we observed two adult Eastern Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliaca) and several hunting Hen Harriers (Circus cyaneus) in the area.

Continuing in Apaj, we visited a roosting site for Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) and were delighted to see these fascinating birds. Later, we searched for Syrian Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos syriacus) and were lucky enough to find two individuals. Our luck didn't stop there, as we also saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) nearby, allowing us to make a direct comparison between the two species.

We then turned our attention to the wetland habitats in the area. Here, one of the day's highlights was spotting a Dunlin (Calidris alpina), an unusual species to encounter in January. Other notable sightings included multiple encounters with Common Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis), Pygmy Cormorants (Microcarbo pygmaeus), Eastern Imperial Eagles, and White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla).

To conclude the day, we visited the quarry lake near Bugyi, where our final new species was a female Smew (Mergellus albellus). This was a wonderful way to end a highly enjoyable winter birding trip in perfect weather conditions.

In total, we recorded 52 species, making it a truly rewarding day in the field.