Nature tourism in Eastern Hungary

Originally the largest salt lake in Hungary, Lake Fehér attained international reputation for its outstandingly rich and diverse bird life. During the late 30's, however, the largest part of this shallow lake was converted into a large system of fishponds, which changed its character forever. Many species disappeared whereas many other came to inhabit the deeper waters and large reedbeds. The fishponds and surrounding fields are the last stop for thousands of migrating Cranes before leaving the country. Greylag, Bean and White-fronted geese also concentrate here in huge flocks. Among the breeding species, Snowy (kentish) plover, Mediterranean gull, Avocet, Black-winged stilt are not uncommon. Herons, like Great white egret, Purple egret and Spoonbills nest regularly in the large reedbeds. European rollers, Lesser gray shrikes and Bee-eaters are the birds of the nearby dry grasslands along with Red-footed falcons.
A little north of the lake, along the Tisza river, there are several large heron colonies hidden in the dense riparian forests, where Squacco herons, Black-crowned night herons, Little egrets, and Grey herons nest in large numbers. Although these forests are the best places to see or hear the rare Icterine warblers, they themselves deserve a short walk and a closer look as the last remnants of a once common and very extensive forest type.
Although not next to the lake, the swampy meadow at Ásotthalom certainly a not-to-miss site in spring or early summer. Packed tight with wonderful wildflowers and orchids such as Bulbocodium, Reticulate crocus, Gladiolus, several irises, Early spider orchid, Bug and Pyramidal orchid, this place is one of the richest of its kind in the country.


Best time of the year: October-June
Closest larger town: Szeged

More than 510 square kilometers of salt marshes, wetlands and alkali steppe, this park is not only one of the best birding places in Europe, but it also offers lots of surprises to the general nature enthusiast and nature photographer. During the past 15 years, around 320 species of birds have been spotted here, almost three-quarter of all birds in Europe. Also, the endless flat steppe preserved some of the remnants of the original vegetation with rare and unique plants like the Tuberous Jerusalem Sage, and typical steppe insects.
One of the greatest attraction of the park is its large Great bustard population that lives in the western part of the park. On the dry, shortgrass alkali steppe, like Nyírõlapos or Kunmadaras, nest a few pairs of Stone curlew and small populations of the Short-toed lark, a unique species among songbirds. Regular summer visitors of these steppes are the Dotterel, Imperial eagle, and Long-legged buzzard which has also bred. Snow bunting, Shore lark, Arctic redpoll, Twite are quite typical winter visitors of these dry grasslands. In the marshes Snowy (kentish) plover, Avocet, Whiskered tern and White-winged black tern, Short-eared owl and Aquatic warbler nest in variable numbers. There are several heron colonies in the park's small, mostly man-made forests, where Black-crowned night herons, Squacco herons and Little egrets breed in large numbers. Such forests and the last remnant of the original oakwoods at Ohat host colonies of Red-footed falcons, where occasionally Sakers also nest. The best place to see Spoonbills, Cormorants and Pygmy cormorants, Grey herons and Great white egrets is perhaps the large swamp on the Tisza river, where these species nest. Also the recently reconstructed Pusztakócs marsh near the Debrecen-Tiszafüred highway is another excellent place to view most of these species from an observation tower. The Hortobágy Fishponds are not only prime nesting habitat for Spoonbills, herons, Greylag geese and many ducks, but also one of the best places in the park during migration. Tens of thousands of Bean and White-fronted geese roost on the water and on the surrounding shortgrass steppe along with 12-13 different species of ducks, and immense numbers of different shorebirds. With the flocks of geese, Lesser white-fronted and Red-breasted goose are also frequently spotted. The most spectacular sight here is the fall migration of Cranes when thousands of these large birds concentrate on the drained fishpond-beds. This is the time to see rare migrating shorebirds such as Whimbrels, Slender-billed curlews, Marsh sandpipers, and Phalaropes. During winter, 10-20 White-tailed eagles stay around feeding on carcasses on the frozen surface of the ponds.
Rare vagrants sighted recently within the park are the Larger black-headed gull, Dalmatian and White pelicans and Steppe eagle, among others. On the steppe the Russian polecat is not uncommon, while Badger, Red fox and colonies of Sousliks on the higher terrains are frequent.


Best time of the year: October-May (for migrants and residents)
Closest large towns: Debrecen, Tiszafüred

This is perhaps the least known of all places listed here, partly because of its location on the eastern border of the country. Yet, first among hunters, and later among naturalists it has become known as one of the "sacred" places where, despite human impact, nature is still little disturbed and birds are specially abound.
This puszta, like Hortobágy and Kardoskút is part of the large Eastern European flyway where huge flocks of migratory birds take a rest during their way to the wintering grounds. It is not surprising therefore that the bird fauna is much like that of Hortobágy. From mid-October flocks of White-fronted, Lesser white-fronted and Bean geese arrive along with more than ten species of ducks. This area is also one of the few places where you can see some of the largest concentrations of Cranes. Shorebirds, such as huge groups of Lapwings, Ruffs, Redshanks, European curlews, other shanks and sandpipers also migrate through here by the thousands. If winter conditions allow many of these birds will even overwinter here. During early spring, migration is much faster, but by no means less spectacular.
The center of the puszta is a system of large fishponds and reservoirs surrounded by flat, sparsely vegetated alkali steppe. The lakes are best for viewing Gray, Purple and Black-crowned night herons, Spoonbills, Greylag geese, Great white and Little egrets, as well as many locally nesting ducks, such as Shovelers, Pintails and Ferruginous ducks. In and around the extensive reedbeds Bearded tits, Mustached warblers, Bluethroats, and other warblers are frequently seen or heard. The surrounding puszta offers not only great vistas of the flat plains, but also the chance to see a few rarities such as Great bustard, Stone curlew, Collared pratincole, Red-footed falcons and European rollers. Large raptors, such as Long-legged buzzards, Imperial eagles are regular visitors, and occasionally even the rare Steppe eagle can be seen.
For other species see Hortobágy.


Best time of the year: October-May (June)
Closest large towns: Komádi, Sarkad

West of the little town of Kardoskút, deep in the heart of the Hungarian puszta is a small salt lake, Lake Fehér, surrounded by scattered agricultural fields and extensive alkali steppe. This nature preserve is home of many typical wetland and steppe species, such as Snowy (kentish) plover, Avocet, Stone curlew, Collared pratincole, Short-toed lark, and several ducks, such as Shoveler, Pintail among others.This site is best, however during fall and spring migration, when it is one of the best sites in the country to observe huge flocks of Cranes, White-fronted and Lesser white-fronted geese, as well as many species of shorebirds including Whimbrel, Slender-billed curlew, Redshank, Marsh sandpiper and Ruff. Red-breasted geese have been also frequently spotted here.
The higher terrains away from waters preserved the fragments of the original steppe vegetation with such attractive wildflowers as Autumn squill, Yellow pheasant's eye and Tuberous Jerusalem Sage. Scattered around the area you can see some steepy mounds towering well above the surrounding: these are the so-called "kunhalmok" that are burial mounds of ancient people well before the arrival of Hungarians giving a mysterious eastlike atmosphere to the area.

Best time of the year: October-May
Closest larger towns: Orosháza, Székkutas

For serious birders the professional quarterly journal of the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Protection Society, Túzok (formerly: Madártani Tájékoztató) is highly recommended.