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

Day 14 Sunday, September 9 Visegrad, Danube Bend, Hungary


Hotel Var Kastelyzallo http://www.varhotel.hu/historia_en.php

Before leaving Rozanva, Bill checked his email – we had found it difficult to connect several times, so were always pleased when we had a chance. While he was reading messages, a large group of house sparrows were welcoming the morning in the vines outside our window.



Today we decided to visit the nearby Domica Cave, a World Heritage Site. This is a massive cave stretching 22 kms over the Sloavkian border into Hungary. We were intrigued by a boat ride in the cave. Ross used his navigation skills to get us to the cave south of Rozana, well before the first tour. We had time to look at some local carvings and, of course, do some birding while we were waiting.



We entered the cave with a small group of people. Bats flew around us. The amazing colourful rock formations entranced us. Some stalactites were as thick as tree trunks. Unfortunately the River Styx was bone dry, so no boat ride. We got a good look at an archaeological area, with a replica of a fire pit with prehistoric people. We all agreed the cave was memorable.



Good news! Driving along the highway, a Green Woodpecker flew across the road in front of us. We all saw the bright green bird. Bill quickly pulled off, but the woodpecker had settled in a field behind a large security fence. Although we could not spot it, we did see it fly off. This was our 7th woodpecker of the trip. The only one to elude us was Lesser Spotted, although we had heard it.



On our way to the Hungarian border, we did a little back country birding. Bill spotted some fish in a creek. We improvised a lunch spot in a small forest. MA noticed a bird in a tree near the road and kept her eye on it. We all got a quick look. Ross thought it was a Collared Flycatcher and got out his bird book to confirm. After much study of a back end tail photo by Barbara, he declared it a Pied Flycatcher. This was trip lifer #68 for Bill.




In the afternoon we crossed the border into Hungary and headed for the bend in the Danube River where we would get a ferry to Visegrad. We just missed the ferry so had about an hour to explore the shoreline and park area beside the river. We were entertained by hooded crows, gulls, kayakers and people enjoying a Sunday afternoon.



On the ferry, Barbara spoke with a French family. She was happy to give their three little girls Canada pencils.



We checked into our hotel in Visegrad – it was right on the water. Ross and MA had a balcony with a superb view. We joined them for a balcony toast and watched the sunset.



Only one more day…

Birds seen Sept 9, 2012
*new birds bolded

Bird of the Day: Green Woodpecker

1. House Sparrow
2. Common Kestrel
3. House Martin
4. Common Raven
5. Common Buzzard
6. Barn Swallow
7. White Wagtail
8. Marsh Harrier
9. Black Redstart
10. Eurasian Tree Sparrow
11. Magpie
12. Green Woodpecker lifer#67
13. Jay
14. Mallard
15. Pied Flycatcher lifer#68
16. Hooded Crow
17. Yellow-legged Gull

Trip Total: 155

Other Nature
cave bats