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

Day 9 Tuesday, September 4: Komloska, Hungary with Sakertours guide Zoli

Solyomvar Hotel http://www.solyomvar.hu/

Some local women arrived early in the field behind us – they spent the day in the hot sun digging potatoes. Many bags were stacked up by the afternoon.



We enjoyed breakfast together – the usual bread, salami, cheese and fruit with juice, tea and coffee. By this time, Bill had learned that “long coffee” translates as North American coffee – otherwise it is espresso. And Ross had learned not to ask for tea (this was herbal/horrible tea) but for black tea called Chai. At lunch he wanted iced tea/no ice. The waiters were highly amused that we wanted milk with our tea.



Today started and ended with the Tawny Owl. Zoli had spotted one roosting in a chimney just up the road from our hotel. Unfortunately “she” was hunched up resting.

MA decided to stay in Komloska for the day. When Barbara heard there would be more quarry (“boring”) birding, she decided to stay too.

MA and Barbara spent the morning hiking around the village. Highlights were an historic home, the intensive river water management system and stone bridges, the magnificent church and well kept cemetery (complete with birds), small wooden doors in hillsides leading to wine storage cellars, a tiny store that sold real Hungarian paprika and a view of the Tawny Owl who had turned away from the sun and was in full view from the road. MA ingeniously used a long stick and gum to capture an owl feather on the roof for Ross’ feather collection. It was on his pillow for him when he returned.



For the men, the woodpecker and owl counts were going up. Today’s quarry had produced amazing views of owls perched and flying (not “boring”!). Woodpeckers were posing for the camera.

They started on a woodland trail, that continued steadily uphill. After an hour or so, Zoli heard a Ural Owl. We left the tail and started uphill through the forest, but it flushed and we did not get good looks. Zoli predicted that it would not go far, and he had us retreat and circle around behind, always staying downhill. It was rough going, and seemed fruitless, but no, suddenly Zoli spotted it perched very close. We managed to fire off a couple of quick shots before it flew away.



We carried on farther up the trail hoping for a Black Woodpecker, without luck. Zoli decided to change gears and head to the Bodrog River. Black Woodpeckers can also be found in riparian habitats, but not this time.



We had lunch in the nearby village, and then headed for another quarry. Zoli wisely told us to zip our legs on our pants, as the way though was very thick with brambles. Ross had the battery fall out of his camera, but found it on the way back. Even though it was just after lunchtime, an Eagle Owl flushed and flew to the far side of the quarry. Then a second one, a juvenile, also flew across to a different spot, and then both flew together behind some trees. Our third owl of the day.



Zoli then took us to a farm with an rough field. We got out and hiked, eventually getting good views of a Grey-headed Woodpecker and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers. That made six species of woodpecker for the trip



Everyone had enjoyed their day. When the men returned they checked out the Tawny Owl again; it just glared at them.

At supper, Ross, MA savoured wild boar again. We reminisced about our memorable adventures in the Zemplin Hills.

Birds seen September 4, 2012
*new birds bolded

Bird of the Day: Eagle Owl

1. Robin
2. Nuthatch
3. Tawny Owl lifer#59
4. Hawfinch
5. Coal Tit
6. Western Marsh Harrier
7. Yellowhammer
8. Ural Owl
9. Lesser Spotted Eagle
10. Marsh Tit lifer#60
11. Goldcrest lifer#61
12. Middle Spotted Woodpecker
13. Jay
14. Blue Tit
15. Common Buzzard
16. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (heard – not counted in total)
17. Chafinch
18. Kingfisher
19. Common Moorhen
20. Great Spotted Woodpecker
21. Black Redstart
22. Mallard
23. Eagle Owl lifer#62
24. Spotted Flycatcher
25. Red-backed Shrike
26. Grey-headed Woodpecker (female) lifer#63
27. Sparrow Hawk

Trip Total: 146

Other Nature

termite mound