austria & hungary - naturalist journeys · austria & hungary birds, wildlife, landscapes...
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Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
Wed., June 21 Vienna / Alpine Foothills
WelcometoAustria!OurtourbeginsinViennaatNoon.Fromtheairport/hotelwedriveintoalpinefoothills,whichbeginafteraboutanhour’sdrivetothesouthwest.Webirdaswego(besuretopackyourbinocularsinyourcarryon!),enjoyingapackedlunchinasuitablybirdyspot.Thiseveningwehavealateafternooncheckinatourfamily-runguesthousewherewespendthenextthreenights.Accommodationsatafamily-runGasthofLindenhofEschenauguesthouseinthefoothills(L,D)
**ThisisanidealtimetoexploreViennaaheadofthetour,youmightconsidercomingearlytoexploreabitandrestupfromyourtravels.
Thurs., June 22 & Fri., June 23 Foothills Birding Enjoythenexttwofulldaystobirdthesurroundingscenicmountains,pastures,meadows,andforestsoutsideofViennaonmoderately-pacedandscenicwalks.MontaneandconiferforestbirdshereincludeGoldenEagle,StockDove,EurasianGreen,Grey-headed,Black,White-backed,andEurasianThree-toedWoodpeckers,CommonCrossbill,andSpottedNutcracker.SmallerpasserinesarelovelyandrepresentagreatmixofEuropeanbreedingspecies:WesternBonelli's,WoodandWillowWarblers,Crested,Willow,andCoalTits,CommonTreecreeper,Firecrest,Goldcrest,CollaredandRed-breastedFlycatchers,Fieldfare,RingOuzel,BlackRedstart,TreePipit,EuropeanGreenfinch,Hawfinchshouldberaisingyoungandannouncingtheir
Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
presencewithsong.Walkingalonglocalstreams,wehopetospotCommonKingfisher,White-belliedDipper,andGreyWagtail. Wildflowersshouldabound! Accommodationsatafamily-runGasthofLindenhofEschenauguesthouseinthefoothills(B,L,D)
Sat., June 24 Neusiedler See-Seewinkel & Ferto-Hansag National Parks Afteralovelyfewdaysinthemountains,todaywemoveeastwardanddowninelevationtotheplainsalongtheAustro-Hungarianborder.Heretwocross-frontierNationalParks―NeusiedlerSee-SeewinkelinAustriaandFerto-HansaginHungary―meettoprotectthemixedwetlandhabitatsaroundthelargesteppelakeofNeusiedler.Alarge,shallow,salineclosedbasinorterminallake,theNeusiedlerSeecoversover122squaremiles,thoughonaverageisnodeeperthan5feet.Thisisveryproductivebirdhabitatandalsoagreatplaceforbutterfliesandwildflowers.Additionally,wetakeaneasybirdingwalkonthegroundsofEszterházyPalaceatFertőd,knownastheHungarianVersailles.Thisbeautifulpalaceisnearourhotel,aswellassome“IronCurtain”remains,givingustimetoenjoybirds,butterflies,culture,politics,andhistoryallinonearea.
WespendthreenightsjustovertheborderinHungaryattheheartofthisgreatarea,afineexampleofaformerborderzonethatbecameawildlifeparadise.AccommodationsatthePolgarmesterGuesthouse(B,L,D)
Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
Sun., June 25 & Mon., June 26 Exploring Cross-Border Habitats Wespendthenexttwodaysexploringthecross-borderhabitatsofthisdiverseregion―salt-lakes,saline-marshes,fens,traditionallymanagedpastures,grazingmeadows,andwetwoods.BreedingshorebirdshereincludeKentishPlover,Black-tailedGodwit,CommonRedshank,PiedAvocet,andBlack-wingedStilt.
Vastreed-bedsareahavenfornestingbitterns,grebes,herons,andrails.ThisisalsoaparticularlygoodareaforfindingwetlandsongbirdslikePendulineTit.WeshouldalsoseeWhiteandBlackStorks,Little,Black-necked,andGreatCrestedGrebes,Gadwall,Garganey,NorthernShoveler,TuftedDuck,CommonandRed-crestedPochards,White-tailedEagle,GreenSandpiper,Whinchat,CommonStonechat,BluethroatandIcterine,Savi's,Sedge,Marsh,andGreatReedWarblers,CommonCuckoo,EurasianWryneck,SyrianWoodpecker,GoldenOriole,Woodlark,Red-backedShrike,CommonNightingale,EurasianTreeSparrow,CommonandLesserWhitethroats,andYellowhammer.RaptorsincludeWesternMarshHarrier,EurasianHobby,HoneyBuzzard,andEurasianSparrowhawk.Thesearesuretobebird-filleddays!WewillalsovisittheimpressivegardensofthespectacularEszterhazyChateauwhereHaydnandothercomposersplayed.AccommodationsatthePolgarmesterGuesthouse(B,L,D)
Tues., June 27 Birding Through Hungary to Kiskunság National Park Todaywemoveoneastwards,deeperintoHungary,birdingaswego.OurfinaldestinationisKiskunságNationalParkontheGreatHungarianPlain,aflatandfertilelowlandthatextendsintoCroatia,SerbiaandRomaniaaswellassoutheasternHungarywherewespendthenextthreenights.
Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
Beforewereachourdestination,wemakestopsinareaswheretwoveryspecialeasternEuropeanraptorsreside:EasternImperialEagleandSakerFalcon―HungaryhasthestrongestpopulationinEuropeofboth.
OtherbirdsenrouteshouldincludeTurtleDove,EuropeanRoller,theblue-headedraceofYellowWagtail,CrestedLark,CornBunting,andmoreWhiteStorkontheirroadsidenests.WearriveinKiskunságinthelateafternoon.
OnoneofoureveningsherewesearchforEurasianScopsOwlandEuropeanNightjar. AccommodationsattheKunsagiMajorRanch(B,L,D)
Wed., June 28 & Thurs., June 29 Kiskunság National Park OverthenexttwodaysweexploreintheKiskunság’sgrasslands,marshes,andreed-fringedfish-farms.AUNESCObiospherereserve,theparkprovidesrefugefortensofthousandsofmigratorybirdsaswellasresidentspecies.Thewetlandsherehostsomebirdswhichwemayhaveseeninthepreviousdays,butalsosomeothersofamoreeasterlydistributionsuchasPygmyCormorant,FerruginousDuck,andLittleCrake.PondshavecoloniesofWhiskeredTernandmarsheshostBlackandWhite-wingedTernsinmostyears.PurpleHeronandLittleandGreatWhiteEgretsarefairlycommon.SomeMediterraneanGullbreedamongsttheBlack-headedGull,andboththerecentlysplitYellow-leggedandCaspianGullscanbecomparedhere.
Theothermainhabitatispuszta(lowlandgrazingland)andweexploreitforthemagnificentGreatBustard,Hungary'snationalbird.OtherspeciesincludeCollaredPratincole,StoneCurlew,Littleand
Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
Long-earedOwls,andLesserGreyShrike.RaptorsincludeLong-leggedBuzzard,Montagu’sHarrier,SakerFalcon,andRed-footedFalcon,thelatterbreedingincoloniesatthistime.AccommodationsattheKunsagiMajorRanch(B,L,D)
Fri., June 30 Bükk Hills TodaywemovenortheasttotheBükkHills,oneofaseriesofforestedhillrangesthatrunacrossthenorthofthecountry.Asusual,westopforbirdsaswego.Wespendtwonightshereinawonderful,family-runguesthouseinaruralvillage.Thefood,drink,andhospitalityhereistremendous―don’texpecttoloseanyweightonthisholiday!Thiswasourfavoriteplaceonpastadventuresandwelookforwardtoareturn.AccommodationsatHotelNomadinNoszvaj,afinecountryhotelintheBükkHills(B,L,D)
Sat., July 1 Bükk Hills WespendtheentiredayinthepleasantrollingcountryoftheBükk,alimestoneregiontypifiedbyorchards,vineyards,andwoodlandswithclearings.ThemostdiversemountainsysteminHungary,theBükkHillsandassociatedvalleysarerichinbiodiversity,richwithwildflowers,butterfliesandotherinsectsalongwithbirds.
Ninespeciesofwoodpeckerarehereandwesearchinparticularforanythatwemayhavemissedonthepreviousdays.AsauthorofWoodpeckersoftheWorld,ourlocalguideGerardGormanknowswheretofindthem!
Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
BirdsaroundourcountryhotelincludeTawnyOwl,SpottedFlycatcher,Serin,BlackRedstart,Long-tailedandMarshTits,Hawfinch,bothCommonandShort-toedTreecreepers,EurasianNuthatch,andSongThrush.TherearecoloniesofEuropeanBee-eaternearbyandraptorsabovethehillsincludeLesserSpottedandShort-toedEaglesandCommonGoshawk.
OtherwildlifeincludesRoeandRedDeer,RedSquirrel,andWildBoarandmanybutterfliesonthewing.AccommodationsatHotelNomadinNoszvaj,afinecountryhotelintheBükkHills(B,L,D)
Sun., July 2 Departures AfterbreakfastweheadforBudapest,atwo-hourdrive.WetakeyoutoyourBudapesthotelifyouarestayingoninthecity,ortotheairportifyouareflyinghometoday.Again,it’sagrandtimetoextendyourvacationwithsomecitytimeifyouwishtoexplore.(B,L)
Plan Ahead! ProtectyourselfwithAllianzTravelInsurance.Offsetyourcarbonfootprint—showusthereceiptandwe'lltake50%-upto$50.00-ofyourcarbonoffsetfeeoffyourfinalpayment.
Cost of the Journey Costofthejourney,$3490DBL/$3890SGLfromVienna,Austria,isbasedondoubleoccupancyandincludes:airporttransfers,accommodationsfor11nights,mealsasspecifiedintheitinerary,professionalguideservices,localguides,localparkandreserveentrancefees,andmiscellaneousprogramexpenses.ItdoesnotincluderoundtripairfaretoorfromVienna,oritemsofapersonalnaturesuchas:laundry,telephone,drinksfromthebar,orgratuitiesforporterageorpersonalservices.Withfewerthansixparticipants,asmallgroupsurcharge(typically$100–$300perparticipant)mayapply.
Travel Information Pleasenote,youwillarriveinViennaanddepartfromBudapest.PleaseplantoarriveWednesday,
Cost of the Journey
Austria & Hungary
Birds, Wildlife, Landscapes & Culture
With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures
NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]
June21nolaterthan12:00PMatViennaInternationalAirport(VIE).Werecommendarrivingatleastonedayaheadoftimesothatflightdelays,etc.don’tinterferewithyouarrivingintimeforthestartofthetrip.WecanrecommendhotelsinVienna;pleaseask.Pleaseplanflightsoutafter1:00PMonSunday,July2fromBudapestFerencLisztInternationalAirport(BUD). NaturalistJourneys,LLCisanequalopportunityserviceproviderandcommittedtothegoalofensuringequalopportunityforallinemploymentandprogramdelivery.Photo Credits EuropeanKingfisher,TomDove(TD);Hoopoe,GerardGorman(GG);GreatBustard,GG;BorderPoppyFields,GG;ImperialEagle,GG;CliffsnearHohenberg,GG;Schleierwasserfall,GG;ImperialEagle,GG;PeacockButterfly,PegAbbott(PA);Saker,GG;CollaredFlycatcher,GG;Horse&Cart,PA;BlackWoodpecker,GG;GroupBirdingwithGerard,PA;CommonRosefinch,GG;EuropeanBee-eater,GG;JosvafoHome,PA;IronCurtainTrailSign,GG;SalineSteppeNeusiedlersee-SeewinkelNP,GG;Stonechat,TomDove(TD);BlueTit,TD;HungarianGregCatte,GG;Hawfinch,GG;JosvafoChurch,PA;OrchardsnearEschenau,GG.