Our trip to Hungary and Romania is a perfect blend of great birding while sampling the best habitats, scenery, and a few cultural highlights of this region. Our birding begins in Romania in the fabulous Danube Delta, the largest in Europe, with three days traveling by boat to explore varied habitats where it's a joy to watch an abundance of waterfowl, including endangered Pygmy Cormorants and Dalmatian Pelicans. Joining these will be the magnificent White-tailed Eagle, migrating flocks of European Bee-eaters and Rollers, a variety of marsh-dwelling warblers, and the lovely Bearded Reedling.

Next, near the Black Sea, we'll watch for Syrian Woodpecker, Sombre Tit, and Hawfinch. Then in the rugged and spectacular Carpathian Mountains our targets include Wallcreeper, White-throated Dipper, several more species of tits, Red Crossbill, Ring Ouzel, and Firecrest. Crossing into Hungary, we'll visit famous Hortobagy National Park, a mosaic of marshes and shallow pools across the "Puszta" steppe that are a vitally important stopover for migrants. Numbers and variety vary seasonally, but at this time of year Hortobagy can be at its most impressive, not just with waterbirds but also Red-footed and Saker falcons and an exciting array of smaller species.

Our last stop among the plains and farmlands of Kiskunsag National Park near Budapest is the European stronghold of Great Bustard and a multitude of other birds, from Little Crake and Black Stork to Imperial Eagle, Eurasian Thick-knee, Black Woodpecker, Bluethroat, Moustached Warbler, and Lesser Gray Shrike.

During our tour we will have short cultural visits to the city of Brasov, Dracula's Castle, and Najykapus Village (for the Szekler Gates). Our office can also assist you in adding one or more days at either end of the tour to see the special sights of either Bucharest or Budapest.

Terry Stevenson and local expert Lajos Nemeth-Boka will guide our group. Terry has of course been well known for years to many of our participants; his friend and colleague Lajos is not only an expert birder, but one of Europe's finest guides to the butterflies, amphibians, and reptiles throughout the region.

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