Day 1: Arrival Budapest/Bratislava

Arrival at Budapest or Bratislava airport. Transfer to East Slovakia. Owl observation in the evening: Pygmy and Tengmalm’s.

Overnight in Medzev

Day 2: Slovakia Karst and the Volovske vrchy Mountains (Birds and Bats)

The Slovak Karst, a plateau formed by limestone and dolomites, is famous for its hundreds of caves and rich alpine and thermophilic flora. Volovske Hills, mainly beech forests, are ideal biotope of many Carpathians mountains birds. We will enjoy bats catching and ringing in the evening.

Target birds: Black Stork, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Hazel Grouse, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Tengmalm´s Owl, Pygmy Owl, Little Owl, Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Common Firecrest, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Crested Tit, Spotted Nutcracker, European Serin, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting.

Overnight in Medzev

Day 3: Senne ponds (Ramsar site) and the Vihorlat Mountains

The bird paradise will offer an exciting time with about 90 bird species. Eurasian Bittern, Red-necked Grebe and all marsh terns are well worth. The sunny east of Slovakia, with a taste of the eastern plains, shares many species with neighboring Hungary. We will see some raptors on the nest with a chance to see White-backed and Grey-headed Woodpecker, Red-breasted Flycatcher, plus a few others. We should complete our list of woodpeckers there. Local experts do not usually fail to find Black Stork, SakerFalcon and Eastern Imperial Eagle on the nest.

Target birds: Red-necked Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Eurasian Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Black Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, White-tailed Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Saker Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Corncrake, Little Crake, Common Crane, migrating waders, White-winged Tern, Whiskered Tern, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Scops Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Lark, Barred Warbler, Bearded Reedling, River Warbler, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Lesser Grey Shrike, European Serin, Hawfinch

Overnight in Zemplinska Sirava area

Day 4: Vihorlat Mountains and East Slovakia lowland

Today we will be introduced to Eastern Imperial Eagle conservation project and concentrate on owls, woodpeckers, and raptors.

Target birds: Eastern Imperial Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Saker Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Corncrake, Ural Owl, European Bee-eater, Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Lark, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher,Barred Warbler.

Overnight in Zemplinska Sirava area

Day 5: East Carpathians - Poloniny National park

Visit of famous virgin forests. Thrush Nightingale observation along the Cirocha river in the afternoon, including visit of the famous ‘Rusky Potok’ orthodox wooden church.

Target birds: Black Stork, Golden Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Hazel Grouse, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Common Firecrest, Ring Ouzel, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Crested Tit, European Serin, Hawfinch.

Overnight in Zemplinska Sirava area

Day 6: Transfer to Hortobagy , Tokai Wine tasting

Transfer to Hortobagy National Park via Latorica Marches Ramsar Site. After birding we will visit the oldest and largest wine cellars in Slovakia and enjoy Tokai wine tasting.

Target birds: Red-necked Grebe, Purple Heron, Eurasian Bittern, Little Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black Stork, Ferruginous Duck, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Saker Falcon, Little Crake, White-winged Tern, Whiskered Tern, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Syrian Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Tawny Pipit, Barred Warbler, River Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Lesser Grey Shrike, European Serin, Hawfinch.

Overnight in Hajduzsoboszlo

Day 7: Hortobagy National Park

Train ride to Hortobagy fishponds, providing habitat for a surprising variety of water birds including 4 species of grebes, six species of herons and egrets, Black, Whiskered and White-winged Black Terns. The reeds buzz to the songs of numerous warblers including Moustached Warbler, whilst Western Marsh Harriers are constantly patrolling overhead. We can also find the Penduline Tit, Bearded Reedling and the Bluethroat here. The Glossy Ibis and the Pygmy Cormorant have also turned up here in the last few years. The colonies of Eurasian Spoonbill and Great Egret offer unforgettable views. The annual draining and filling up the vast lakes provides good feeding possibilities not only for the wading birds, but also for thousands of waders. In the afternoon we will drive further west. Here on the steppe woodland we can find Long-legged Buzzard, Red-footed Falcon, Great Bustard, Little Owl, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Hoopoe, Tawny Pipit and Lesser Grey Shrike. The attractive and Stone Curlew live on the real steppe habitat.

Overnight in Hajduzsoboszlo

Day 8: Transfer to Budapest or Bratislava for departure flight

Morning birding in Hortobagy. Later on, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.