Birding Day Trip - January 14 at Csaj Lake

A Winter Birdwatching Adventure at Csaj Lake

On January 14, we embarked on a one-day birdwatching trip to Csaj Lake, located in the southern part of Kiskunság National Park, within the Pusztaszer Nature Reserve. Situated just a 45-minute drive from Kecskemét, this artificial lake was originally designed for carp farming but has since become a crucial habitat. In the increasingly arid central regions of Hungary, Csaj Lake provides essential feeding, nesting, and wintering grounds for a wide variety of bird species.

The day started with clear, sunny skies and a calm atmosphere, though temperatures were a brisk -7°C in the early morning. The freezing conditions meant that most of the lake's surface was covered in ice, concentrating bird activity in the smaller, unfrozen areas. This created excellent opportunities for observation. Notable sightings included Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor), Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus), and Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus). Waterfowl activity was also remarkable, with species such as Smew (Mergellus albellus), Goosander (Mergus merganser), and a pair of Red-crested Pochards (Netta rufina), the latter observed for the first time this year.

Around midday, approximately 2,000 Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) arrived at the fishponds. Among them, we identified seven Red-breasted Geese (Branta ruficollis) and a single Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus).

The trip was a rewarding day of birdwatching with excellent observations at Csaj Lake. A total of 60 species were recorded during the outing.