Hungary-Slovakia Birding Trip: August 27- September 10, 2012

Day 10 Wednesday, September 5: Travel from Komloska, Hungary to Stratena, Slovakia

Safran Penzion http://www.pension-safran.de/EN/Index.htm

As we stepped out on our balcony, a beautiful sunrise welcomed us. Tits were calling. Local potato diggers arrived. Breakfast awaited us on the patio.



Today we would cross the border to Slovakia with Ross guiding us.

But first, Ross wanted to go back to and repeat part of the previous day's hike, since Barbara and MA had not gone. He was hoping to see a Ural Owl. We did hear one, but got no view. In fact, it was really quiet; We did get a few colorful tits who were happily chirping. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped to photograph a typical long (unpronouncable) place name.


After checking out of our hotel, we decided to see if our Tawny Owl was in her chimney spot. Today she put on her best appearance for us.



MA had been unable to make a water pump work, but Bill got it going for her to try – there are many of these throughout the village.



Bill and Ross were sharing the driving/navigating. Today Ross was to successfully tackle a tortuous road up a mountain to a castle under restoration. We were very impressed with the clever system for hauling cement and bricks up a vertical cliff. The view was outstanding.



At the Slovakian border, we had a pizza lunch with beer (except for Ross who was driving – 0% limit in Hungary).



There is no stop at the border now and no police present - just drive on through. It was time to change from Hungarian Forints (abbreviated HUF) to Slovakian Euros. We entered the mountainous southern area of Slovakia.

In Slovakia we stopped to bird at a steep hill with a sheep farm below. A castle remnant was at the peak. Very hot climb! Great view of the countryside. No birds. In the forest at the base of the hill, Ross had sighted a Great Spotted Woodpecker. It flew away but later returned to its area where Barbara was waiting. Some Blue Tits performed by the car.



We expceted our hotel to be in Dobsina, but had to ask directions, as it was in the next village. It was late afternoon when we arrived at our Penzion Safran in Stratena where we would spend the next three days. A search for Internet access brought us to a nearby “ hostinek “ bar with free wireless. We ordered some local beer – two large glasses for just over 1 Euro!



Birds seen September 5, 2012
*new birds bolded

Bird of the Day: Lesser Spotted Eagle

1. Barn Swallow
2. Eurasian Collared Dove
3. Hooded Crow
4. Common Buzzard
5. White Wagtail
6. Nuthatch
7. Great Spotted Woodpecker
8. Marsh Tit
9. Ural Owl (heard)
10. Great Tit
11. Blue Tit
12. Lesser Spotted Eagle
13. Tawny Owl
14. Black Redstart
15. Magpie
16. Feral Pigeon

Trip Total: 146

Other Nature
European hare
roe deer