Our 2024 Hungary & Romania tour was unusual in that it turned out to be the warmest 'early Spring' for many years. Local people said the warm weather was about one month early and as a result many trees were in full leaf and many birds were already on their territories. We saw more 'colorful migrants' like European Bee-eater, European Roller and Eurasian Golden Oriole than ever before, and despite seeing two of the more 'difficult' woodpeckers – European Three-toed and Black – some of the more common ones were presumed to be already breeding and didn't show at all. However, overall it was a great trip with exactly 200 species recorded, including displaying Great Bustard, Common Crane (perhaps breeding here this year), displaying breeding plumage male Ruffs, Pygmy Cormorant, Dalmation Pelican, Imperial Eagle, Saker Falcon, Bearded Reedling, and Wallcreeper.
Beginning in Bucharest (where many of the group had come early and done an optional City Tour) we headed east for our first birding near the Black Sea coast at Baia. Along the way we stopped in the Dobrogea Gorge (and nearby farmlands) where just some of the species we saw included Gray Partridge, Northern Lapwing, White Stork (nesting in villages), Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Magpie, Greater Short-toed, Calandra and Crested larks, Northern, Isabelline and Pied wheatears, European Goldfinch and Corn Bunting. We then spent three nights at our base in Baia allowing for visits inland to the wooded Babadag Hills, the Agigea Bird Ringing Station, and in the Danube Delta at the Vadu and Histria marshes and a day boat trip in the delta itself. New birds were of course plentiful here, with just a few highlights being 14 species of duck and geese, Red-necked, Great Crested and Eared grebes, Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Thick-knee, Pied Avocet, 10 other species of shorebirds (including Spotted Redshank and Ruff in breeding plumage), Collared Pratincole, Little, Pallas's, Yellow-legged and Caspian gulls, Whiskered, Black and White-winged terns (all in breeding plumage), Black and White storks, Pygmy Cormorant, Great White and Dalmation pelicans, 6 species of herons, White-tailed Eagle, Common Kingfisher, Red-footed Falcon, Red-backed Shrike, Bearded Reedling, Great Reed Warbler, Wood Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Garden and Barred warblers, Lesser and Greater whitethroats, Common and Black redstarts, Spanish Sparrow, Hawfinch, and European Greenfinch.
After more birding in the Histria area, we then headed back to Bucharest for one night and left the following morning for Brasov with a stop at Bran (Dracula's) Castle along the way. Although largely a travel day it was not entirely without new birds, and especially so at Bran, where we added Common Raven, Eurasian Nuthatch, Fieldfare, European Robin and European Serin. We then headed for a three night stay at a hotel on the outskirts of Odorheiu Secuesc getting great looks at a close perched Lesser Spotted Eagle in the Homorod Valley, Ferruginous Duck at the San Paul Fish Ponds, and Little Owl, Lesser Gray Shrike and Willow Tit at a variety of short stops in the gorgeous Transylvanian countryside.
The following day found us birding in the Bicaz Gorge and the Liben Pass where 'special birds' included Alpine Swift, Eurasian Nutcracker (for some), Coal Tit, Eurasian Crag-Martin, Common Firecrest, the spectacular Wallcreeper, White-throated Dipper, Gray Wagtail, Tree Pipit, and Yellowhammer. During our final day at Odorheiu Secuesc we went to the city park giving us nice scope views of Eurasian Scops-Owl and then on the higher slopes of Mt. Hargita we added Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Crested Tit, Goldcrest, Eurasian Treecreeper, Mistle Thrush, Ring Ousel, Water Pipit, and for a few of the group the rarely seen European Pine Marten.
We continued west across the Transylvania farmlands making stops in the old oak forests and then lunch in the medieval city of Sighisoara. The main new bird here was a striking Collared Flycatcher, and then as we neared the village of Coltesti birding in a rocky gorge gave us our best views of Eurasian Crag-Martin and Eurasian Linnet, and a very nice singing male Rock Bunting.
Our final day in Romania found us birding the farmlands near Coltesti and in the afternoon at Turda Gorge which was sadly teaming with people as this turned out to be a holiday weekend.
As always through we made the best of it, with memorable moments being a Eurasian Green Woodpecker, incredible looks at the usually secretive River Warbler, and spending nearly an hour trying to see a very close singing Common Nightingale that just wouldn't show.
The Hungarian part of our tour began with several hours at the Foldes Wetland where in the small patch of woodland we watched Red-footed Falcons and Eurasian Kestrels moving in and out of their nest boxes, and a beautiful European Roller sat atop a nearby hut. In the reedbeds we found a responsive Savi's Warbler, while at the wetland itself were hundreds of ducks (including the very attractive Red-crested Pochard), shorebirds (with breeding plumaged Dunlin and Little Ringed Plover being new for us), gulls and terns, herons and egrets, and about 30 Eurasian Spoonbill. We spent the night in the nearby spa town of Hajduszoboszlo (pronounced as it's written).
From here we drove through the Hortobagy National Park seeing a distant Imperial Eagle, more White-tailed Eagles, and our first Sedge Warbler. Then later in the afternoon, we arrived for a two night stay in another national park area known as Kiskunsag. On arrival, a walk in the grounds of our hotel gave us great looks at Short-toed Treecreeper, and a Black Woodpecker was seen twice in flight.
The following day found us meeting with local warden Mickey, who joined us for the morning and thanks to his expert local knowledge we were soon seeing all the local specialities; a close displaying Great Bustard (and others further away), Common Crane, good looks at Imperial Eagle, Saker Falcon, Savi's and Common Grasshopper warblers, and we even got to see a singing Common Nightingale! – not just a glimpse either, as we had it full on in the scope! Mickey had work commitments so had to leave us in the afternoon, but we were still kept happy with good looks at a colony of Mediterranean Gulls, another Little Owl, European Bee-eaters feeding near their nest holes, more European Rollers, and Eurasian Golden Oriole.
A final morning birding gave us chance to refamiliarize ourselves of many of the wonderful birds we'd already seen earlier in the tour. And then after a final lunch, we said our goodbyes and either traveled to the airport for our international departures, or headed to Budapest to begin an optional city tour the following day.
Many thanks to Nicole in our office, Steve our second driver/guide, and to Lajos our ground agent, co-leader, and our 2nd driver too.
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
GRAYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser)
Common at a variety of widespread wetlands and grassy areas; in all we saw about 1300.
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifrons)
One was seen with a flock of Graylag on our way to the Black Sea coast.
MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor)
Widespread at many wetlands; with a total of about 240.
RUDDY SHELDUCK (Tadorna ferruginea)
Formerly uncommon in Romania, but have become more frequent in recent years; we saw 10 on the way to the Black Sea coast and 2 near Histria.
COMMON SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna)
We saw these attractive ducks at Vadu, near Histria, and at the Foldes Wetland Reserve; in all we saw about 125.
GARGANEY (Spatula querquedula)
We saw a total of about 40 at Vadu and Histria, 6 at San Paul Fish Ponds, and 10 at Foldes.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)
About 50 at Vadu and Histria, 1 at San Paul, and 50+ at Foldes.
GADWALL (Mareca strepera)
Small numbers were seen at a variety of widespread wetlands; in all we saw about 45.
EURASIAN WIGEON (Mareca penelope)
We saw a distant single male at Histria, and then had much better looks at Foldes (8), and Hortobagy (5).
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)
Widespread on many scattered wetlands; with a total about 320.
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta)
We saw a single male at Vadu, and another 6 at Foldes.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (Anas crecca crecca)
About 25 at Vadu, and 1 at Foldes.
RED-CRESTED POCHARD (Netta rufina)
We saw these attractive ducks at Histria (5), San Paul (40), Foldes (2), and Kiskunsag (5).
COMMON POCHARD (Aythya ferina)
Sixteen in the Danube Delta, and 2 at Histria.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK (Aythya nyroca)
Eight at San Paul, and 5 at Hortobagy.
GRAY PARTRIDGE (Perdix perdix)
Increasingly uncommon, so we were lucky to see 2 pairs in the wheat fields as we headed to Dobrogea Gorge.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus)
Common and widespread in farm country throughout the tour; in all we saw about 160.
COMMON QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix) [*]
Heard in farmlands near Babadag, Homorod Valley, and Kiskunsag.
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Two at San Paul.
RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena)
Five from the boat in the Danube Delta.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus)
About 200 in the Danube Delta, 1 at San Paul, 1 at Foldes, and 2 at Kiskunsag.
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis)
About 30 in the Danube Delta, and 1 at Hortobagy.
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
Very common and widespread throughout the tour.
STOCK DOVE (Columba oenas)
Five in flight in the Homorod Valley, and 2 at Sighisoara Forest.
COMMON WOOD-PIGEON (Columba palumbus)
Widespread throughout the tour; with a total of about 130.
EUROPEAN TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia turtur)
Six at Kiskunsag.
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto)
Very common and widespread in villages and parks throughout the tour.
GREAT BUSTARD (Otis tarda)
Great looks at a close displaying male at Kiskunsag, where we also saw 6 others more distantly.
COMMON CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus)
Heard almost daily, and about 15 were seen.
EURASIAN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus europaeus)
Two singles were seen in flight during an after dinner excursion at Kiskunsag.
ALPINE SWIFT (Tachymarptis melba)
Three at Bicaz Gorge, and 1 at Liben Pass.
COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus)
Small numbers were seen around several villages; with a total of about 75.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Singles at the Danube Delta and San Paul.
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)
Widespread at a variety of wetlands; in all we saw about 85.
COMMON CRANE (Grus grus)
Most birds seen in Hungary are winter visitors so we were lucky to see 1 feeding in the Kiskunsag grasslands, and then another 5 in flight there the following day.
EURASIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus oedicnemus)
Nice looks at a pair at Histria.
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
Seen at Vadu, Histria, Foldes and Kiskunsag; in all we saw about 180.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Some of the group saw 4 at Histria, and then everyone saw at least 140 at Foldes.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius)
Two at San Paul, and another 2 at Foldes.
NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)
About a dozen in the Bucharest to Constanta area, and 120+ in the fields around Foldes and Kiskunsag.
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata)
Two in the Kiskunsag grasslands.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa)
Three at Vadu, and 10 at Foldes.
COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago)
Four at Vadu.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
Small numbers at Vadu, the Danube Delta, Histria, and San Paul.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
About 60 at Vadu and Histria were by far the most, but we also saw another 6 in several widespread wetland areas.
COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus)
About a dozen at Vadu, 15 at Foldes, 2 at Hortobagy, and 6 at Kiskunsag.
SPOTTED REDSHANK (Tringa erythropus)
Nice looks, including birds in breeding plumage at Vadu, Histria, Foldes, and Kiskunsag.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
Two at Vadu, and 1 at Foldes.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax)
Great looks at displaying males with full 'ruffs' at Foldes, and we also saw many others at a variety of scattered wetlands; in all we saw about 1200.
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)
At least 120 (with many in full breeding plumage) at Foldes.
COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola)
Ten at Vadu.
LITTLE GULL (Hydrocoloeus minutus)
We saw these attractive small gulls at Histria (6 and then 3), the Danube Delta (3), and Foldes (5).
BLACK-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Widespread at scattered wetlands throughout the tour, and with breeding colonies at Vadu and Kiskunsag; in all we saw about 1800.
PALLAS'S GULL (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus)
At least 3 in breeding and 1 non-breeding plumage were seen at Histria.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus)
We saw about 150 at the Kiskunsag colony.
COMMON GULL (Larus canus)
One on the journey from Bucharest to Brasov.
CASPIAN GULL (Larus cachinnans)
We saw about 40 at the Black Sea coast, and perhaps others inland but almost impossible to identify from Yellow-legged Gull which authorities say is more common inland.
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)
Widespread away from the Black Sea coast (and perhaps also there); in all we saw about 180.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus)
One in flight at Histria.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
Six along the Black Sea coast near Vadu.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida)
Great looks at birds in breeding plumage at the Danube Delta, Histria, Hortobagy and Kiskunsag; in all we saw about 500.
BLACK TERN (Chlidonias niger)
Great looks at birds in breeding plumage at Histria (many hundreds), and then plentiful but smaller numbers in the Danube Delta, at San Paul, Foldes, and at Hortobagy.
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus)
This was the third species of 'marsh tern' that we saw in breeding plumage, with a total of about 300.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
Five in the Danube Delta, 2 near Histria, 2 at Foldes, and 1 along a canal at Kiskunsag.
ARCTIC LOON (Gavia arctica)
One from the boat in the Danube Delta was totally unexpected at this time of year.
BLACK STORK (Ciconia nigra)
A great trip for this species with 5 near Tulcea, 3 at San Paul, and 1 in the Odorheiu Secuesc area.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia)
Very common and seen on their nests in villages throughout the tour; in all we saw about 800.
PYGMY CORMORANT (Microcarbo pygmaeus)
About 300 were seen during the boat trip in the Danube Delta.
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
About 1000 in the Danube Delta, and then far smaller numbers at Bucharest and Histria.
EUROPEAN SHAG (Gulosus aristotelis)
Some of the group saw 3 in flight as we drove from the coast back to Bucharest.
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
We saw several large flocks especially in the Danube Delta to Histria area; with a total of about 1100.
DALMATIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus crispus)
Good looks at this now endangered species in the Danube Delta to Histria area; with a total of 44.
GREAT BITTERN (Botaurus stellaris) [*]
Heard in the Vadu reedbeds.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Four in the Danube Delta, and 3 at San Paul.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
About 75 from the boat in the Danube Delta, and 1 at San Paul.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
One in the Danube Delta.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
Widespread at a variety of wetlands; with a total of about 65.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
Another widespread heron; in all we saw about 125.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
Three in the Danube Delta, and singles at San Paul and Kiskunsag.
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
About 50 in the Danube Delta.
EURASIAN SPOONBILL (Platalea leucorodia)
Three at Vadu, 1 at San Paul, 30 at Foldes, 5 at Hortobagy, and 1 at Kiskunsag.
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Singles near Dobrogea and Vadu.
EUROPEAN HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis apivorus)
One at Kiskunsag.
LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE (Clanga pomarina)
Great views (including a close bird in the scope in the Homorod Valley), 2 in the Senete area, and 1 at Sighisoara.
BOOTED EAGLE (Hieraaetus pennatus)
One on the way to the coast on our first full day.
IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca)
We saw a way distant bird at Hortobagy, and then had good looks at 2 (or 3) at Kiskunsag.
GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos)
One in flight over the ridge at Coltesti.
WESTERN MARSH HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus)
Commonly seen hunting over marshes and farm fields; in all we saw about 80.
MONTAGU'S HARRIER (Circus pygargus)
Two on the way to Cheia Dobrogea Gorge, 2 in the Danube Delta, and 1 at Histria.
EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus)
We saw 5 in scattered areas of mostly open woodland.
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (Haliaeetus albicilla)
About 10 from the boat in the Danube Delta, 1 at Foldes, and 3 at Hortobagy.
COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo)
Small numbers were seen most days; with a total of about 50.
LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD (Buteo rufinus)
One over the Babadag Hills.
EURASIAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus scops)
After some effort we all finally had scope views of 1 in Odorheiu Secuesc city park.
LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua)
Singles near Odorheiu Secuesc, and on the huge round hay bales at Kiskunsag.
TAWNY OWL (Strix aluco) [*]
Heard by some of the group during an after dinner walk in Brasov.
LONG-EARED OWL (Asio otus) [*]
Heard by one of our group at Baia.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops)
Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 20.
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis)
About 20 of these striking little kingfishers were seen during the boat tour in the Danube Delta.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster)
One of the most colorful birds in Europe; 50+ near their colony at Kiskunsag were by far the most, but we also had another 14 at three different widespread sites.
EUROPEAN ROLLER (Coracias garrulus)
Probably due to the warm weather this year we had good looks at 9 in the Foldes to Hortobagy and Kiskunsag areas.
EURASIAN WRYNECK (Jynx torquilla) [*]
Heard near our hotel at Odorheiu Secuesc.
EURASIAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER (Picoides tridactylus)
We had great close scope views of this generally uncommon species at Mt. Hargita.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos major)
Small numbers at the Danube Delta, Bran (Dracula's) Castle, Hortobagy and Kiskunsag.
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (Picus canus)
A couple of our group had brief looks at 1 from the boat in the Danube Delta.
EURASIAN GREEN WOODPECKER (Picus viridis)
Heard in the Danube Delta, and then seen nicely at Coltesti, and briefly (for some) in the grounds of the Sarlopuszta Club Hotel.
BLACK WOODPECKER (Dryocopus martius)
It took a while to see this species, but eventually we all had good looks at a bird flying over the grounds of the Sarlopuszta Club Hotel.
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)
Common and seen daily; with a total of about 60.
RED-FOOTED FALCON (Falco vespertinus)
We had multiple looks at these gorgeous falcons as they were migrating through the Histria area, and then about a dozen at the Foldes colony, and a few others elsewhere.
EURASIAN HOBBY (Falco subbuteo)
Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 12.
SAKER FALCON (Falco cherrug)
We saw a pair hunting a Rock Dove and then taking it to a juvenile in a nest box at Kiskunsag.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
One at Bicaz Gorge, and 2 over the cliffs near Coltesti.
EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus)
Singles at Histria, Odorheiu Secuesc, and Hortobagy, and then at least 7 at Kiskunsag.
RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio)
These attractive small shrikes were widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 14.
LESSER GRAY SHRIKE (Lanius minor)
Four in the Homorod Valley to San Paul area, and 1 at Kiskunsag.
EURASIAN JAY (Garrulus glandarius)
We saw 5 singles in different widespread forested areas.
EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica)
Common, widespread, and seen daily throughout the tour.
EURASIAN NUTCRACKER (Nucifraga caryocatactes)
Some of the group saw 1 on the way to Bicaz Gorge.
EURASIAN JACKDAW (Corvus monedula)
Common throughout the tour.
ROOK (Corvus frugilegus)
Very common and widespread throughout the tour.
HOODED CROW (Corvus cornix)
Another very common and widespread corvid.
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
Fairly common from the Bran area and on through Odorheiu Secuesc, Mt Hargita and Coltesti; in all we saw about 40.
COAL TIT (Periparus ater)
We saw 2 at Liben Pass, and 5 at Mt. Hargita; this species prefers pine trees.
CRESTED TIT (Lophophanes cristatus)
After many tries we eventually all got great looks at 1 on Mt. Hargita.
SOMBRE TIT (Poecile lugubris)
Good looks at this localized bird in the Babadag Hills.
MARSH TIT (Poecile palustris)
One in the Odorheiu Secuesc city park.
WILLOW TIT (Poecile montanus)
One near Odorheiu Secuesc and 1 near Mt. Hargita.
EURASIAN BLUE TIT (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Widespread in woodland and gardens; in all we saw about 45.
GREAT TIT (Parus major)
The most common tit species; in all we saw about 110.
GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK (Calandrella brachydactyla)
About a dozen in the farmland near Dobrogea.
CALANDRA LARK (Melanocorypha calandra)
About 20 in the Dobrogea area, and 1 near Histria.
WOOD LARK (Lullula arborea)
We saw a single bird singing and displaying in the Babadag Hills.
EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis)
Small numbers were widespread in farmlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 30.
CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata)
Mostly found in grasslands and farms; with a total of about 40.
BEARDED REEDLING (Panurus biarmicus)
Nice looks at 2 males and then 2 males and a female in the reedbeds at Vadu.
SEDGE WARBLER (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
One at Hortobagy and 2 at Kiskunsag.
COMMON REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
First heard at San Paul, and then more frequently in the Foldes-Hortobagy-Kiskunsag area, where most of the group managed to see at least one of these skulking birds.
GREAT REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)
One was seen in the Danube Delta, and then several others heard and 1 seen at Kiskunsag.
RIVER WARBLER (Locustella fluviatilis)
Wonderful looks at a super responsive bird near Coltesti.
SAVI'S WARBLER (Locustella luscinioides)
Nice views of a couple of singles at Foldes and Kiskunsag.
COMMON GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Locustella naevia)
One at Kiskunsag.
EURASIAN CRAG-MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
Three high on the cliffs at Bicaz Gorge, and then much closer views in the gorge near Coltesti.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Common throughout the tour.
WESTERN HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbicum)
Widespread in many villages and towns; in all we saw about 120.
WOOD WARBLER (Phylloscopus sibilatrix)
One at Histria.
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus)
One at Histria.
COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)
In this years early spring they were more often heard than seen; in total we saw about a dozen and heard many more.
LONG-TAILED TIT (Aegithalos caudatus)
Some of the group saw 1 at Odorheiu Secuesc and 2 at Kiskunsag.
EURASIAN BLACKCAP (Sylvia atricapilla)
Widespread at a variety of woodland sites; in all we saw about a dozen.
GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia borin)
One at Histria.
BARRED WARBLER (Curruca nisoria)
Good looks at this rather shy warbler at Histria.
LESSER WHITETHROAT (Curruca curruca)
Five in the Histria area, and 1 near Odorheiu Secuesc.
GREATER WHITETHROAT (Curruca communis)
We saw a total of about a dozen at a variety of scattered woodland edges.
GOLDCREST (Regulus regulus)
Five at Mt. Hargita.
COMMON FIRECREST (Regulus ignicapilla)
Good looks at 2 at Liben Pass, and 3 near Mt. Hargita.
WALLCREEPER (Tichodroma muraria)
For many this was one of the most wanted birds of the tour – and we did well this year with at least 3 at the Bicaz Gorge.
EURASIAN NUTHATCH (Sitta europaea)
First seen at Bran Castle, and then at least 6 others at Odorheiu Secuesc and the Sighisoara Forest.
EURASIAN TREECREEPER (Certhia familiaris)
Three in the pine forests at Mt. Hargita.
SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER (Certhia brachydactyla)
Great looks at a responsive bird in the grounds of Sarlopuszta Club Hotel.
WHITE-THROATED DIPPER (Cinclus cinclus)
Fantastic views of a super close bird along the river at Bicaz Gorge.
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)
Very common and widespread throughout the tour.
MISTLE THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus)
Some of the group saw 1 near Mt. Hargita.
SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos)
The best views were of 4 feeding in the park near our hotel at Hajduszoboszlo, and a 2 or 3 others were seen by different members of the group near there or at Kiskunsag.
EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula)
Common and widespread; with a total of about 60.
FIELDFARE (Turdus pilaris)
Small numbers from Bran Castle on through Odorheiu Secuesc, Mt. Hargita and Coltesti; in all we saw about 25.
RING OUZEL (Turdus torquatus)
Two on the higher slopes of Mt. Hargita.
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)
Singles at Babadag Hills and Histria, and 2 at Hajuszoboszlo.
EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)
Three at Bran Castle, singles in the Senete and Liben pass area, and 1 at Kiskunsag.
COMMON NIGHTINGALE (Luscinia megarhynchos)
Many were heard before we all finally saw 1 at Kiskunsag – and great to actually see it in the scope too!
EUROPEAN PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hypoleuca)
One in the Babadag area.
COLLARED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula albicollis)
After missing them at our usual site we finally caught up with a beautiful male in the Sighisoara Forest.
COMMON REDSTART (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Three in the Danube Delta, and 1 at Histria.
BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 25.
WHINCHAT (Saxicola rubetra)
Singles near Babadag, Senete, Coltesti, and Kiskunsag.
EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola)
Small numbers from the Homorod Valley to the Odorheiu Secuesc area and on to Kiskunsag.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Four in the Cheia Dobrogea Gorge area and 3 at Mt. Hargita were the most, while elsewhere we had scattered singles.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR (Oenanthe isabellina)
Two on the way to the Cheia Dobrogea Gorge, and 1 at Histria.
PIED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pleschanka)
Two at Cheia Dobrogea Gorge.
DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis)
Two singles at Liben Pass.
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
Very common and widespread throughout the tour.
SPANISH SPARROW (Passer hispaniolensis)
Six were seen nesting under White Stork nests in the village of Vadu, and we then saw a further 4 in the Histria area.
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus)
Another common and widespread sparrow.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea)
Three at Bicaz Gorge, and another 3 during our day trip up Mt. Hargita.
WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (FLAVA) (Motacilla flava flava)
We saw a total of about 80 at Hortobagy and Kiskunsag.
WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (FELDEGG) (Motacilla flava feldegg)
Sometimes split as Black-headed Yellow Wagtail; we saw about 45 mostly in the Constanta–Histria area.
WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)
Common and widespread throughout the tour.
TAWNY PIPIT (Anthus campestris)
Singles on the way to Cheia Dobrogea Gorge, and at Histria.
TREE PIPIT (Anthus trivialis)
One at Senete, and 2 in the Mt. Hargita area.
WATER PIPIT (Anthus spinoletta)
One at Mt. Hargita.
COMMON CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs)
Common and widespread; in all we saw about 250.
HAWFINCH (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
Great looks this tour, with 1 at Histria, and 3 at Odorheiu Secuesc.
EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris)
Common and widespread; with a total of about 50.
EURASIAN LINNET (Linaria cannabina)
Two near the Cheia Dobrogea Gorge, 1 in the Homorod Valley, and 4 near Coltesti.
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)
These colorful little finches were seen almost daily; with a total of about 120.
EUROPEAN SERIN (Serinus serinus)
Singles at Bran and Odorheiu Secuesc.
EURASIAN SISKIN (Spinus spinus)
Some of the group saw 1 near Baia.
CORN BUNTING (Emberiza calandra)
Common and widespread away from forested areas.
ROCK BUNTING (Emberiza cia)
Good scope views of 1 at the small gorge near Coltesti.
YELLOWHAMMER (Emberiza citrinella)
Three in the Senete area, and 1 near Coltesti.
REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus)
We saw a male in the reeds at San Paul, and then 2 more at Foldes.
EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus)
Five at Hortobagy, and about 20 at Kiskunsag.
EUROPEAN SOUSLIK (Spermophilus citellus)
These cute rodent-like animals are actually squirrels and sometimes known as the European Ground Squirrel. We saw about a dozen in the Cheia Dobrogea Gorge area, and another 2 at Histria.
EUROPEAN PINE MARTEN (Martes martes)
A few of our group saw 1 near the restaurant at Mt. Hargita.
RED DEER (Cervus elaphus)
Three at Mt. Hargita.
ROE DEER (Capreolus capreolus)
Widespread in small numbers, with most in the Senete area (10), Hortobagy (8), and Kiskunsag (12); we also saw a few other singles at several widespread sites.
Reptiles and amphibians seen on the tour included;
Slow Worm (Legless Lizard); 1 at Liben Pass.
European Pond Terrapin; 2 at the Foldes Wetland Reserve.
Edible Frog; seen and heard at many ponds throughout the tour.
Common Frog; 5 at Senete Marsh.
Totals for the tour: 200 bird taxa and 5 mammal taxa