Lake Kolon

The Ringing Station at Lake Kolon. There is a website, where one can get more information about the site: http://www.kolon-to.com/ - its English version is under construction. The phone number is correct on the site, so it is worth to call them.

In Hungary there are circa 12 ringing stations. This one is close to me as I started my birder life there. There are 12 net position in the reed. The station works pretty well and the people who do the ringing are very friendly and helpful. There are plenty visitors and so I'm not sure it is so good for the professionals.

Even in wintertime one can sleep on the site as there are heating facility and beds. I would say 10-20 people can stay there without problem and in the garden a lot more in tents. Of course for the job a lot less people is enough. I'm pretty sure though that it is not bad for site to be known and loved by citizen who live in cities rather than the countryside.

 The ringing activity dates back at the begining of the XXth century. It was originally created to follow bird migration. In my opionion it is now not relevant as radio tags can do the job instead of the aluminum rings.

 Troglodytes troglodytes - Eurasian wren

 The house was built not very long ago. This time of the year is so colourful and it is definately worth to see it.

Not much information board is saying that is is actually a Ramsar site however it belongs also the Kiskunsági National Park (http://knp.nemzetipark.gov.hu/index.php?lang=en) and has many other nature conservation status.

 There is kitchen, bathroom and many volunteers. This time of the year not too many birds but rarity can be catched with a bit of luck. I'm not going after rare species I'm also happy to see the most common ones.

 A marsh near the site, in the forest.

 The lake Kolon was cover with reed and was under agricultural pressure some time ago. The view on this picture is brand new as it was only last year that the did some bottom dredging.

Not many birds yet but worth to go there anyway. No swimming in the lake!

Nice couple!

Izsák

Our next target is Izsák and the Lake Kolon. Watch out!

Rétszilas

We started our excursion with Rétszilas and its fishponds. I must say it is a perfect place to spend a few days just relaxing with friends or family. It is well kept and enjoyable in every season.
Luckily we had a very fine day with sunshine and little wind so if I would have a proper binocular and telescope I could have indentified plenty more species.
So far I identified the followings:

1. Ardea cinerea - Grey Heron (I've seen a lot foraging near a fish school where they weren't doing much harm to the stock I guess. It was a mixed group of herons and egrets.)
2. Egretta alba - Great Egret
3. Platalea leucordia - Eurasian Spoonbill (We saw them flying over to the South. They also fly in "V" formation like geese.)
4. Anser anser - Greyleg Goose (There were plenty on the water, and I'm not sure they were summer residents as they were quite alert when we approached, even though they were hidden from us behind the reed beds.)
5. Anas platyrchynchos - Mallard
6. Fulica atra - Eurasian Coot (I did not count them but there were more then hundrends I reckon.)
7. Vanellus vanellus - Northern Lapwing
8. Larus canus - Mew Gull
9. Larus michachellis - Yellow-legged Gull (They are tricky and I can not say for sure the species withough a proper equipment.)
10. Pica pica - Eurasian Magpie
11. Corvus cornix - Hooded Crow
12. Passer montanus - Eurasian Tree Sparrow
13. Remiz pendulinus - Eurasian Penduline Tit
14. Parus major - Great tit
15. Struthio camelus - Common ostrich (flying over - hahaha)

I will work out a way to make the bird list more sensible. I have a little note book to write down whatever I see on the field. I do not note the species in systematic order rather than I try to follow the bird guide to make the above list.

This is the train station of Rétszilas. I love this kind of stations. There aren't many tourist coming by train so there isn't any facility to make ourself comfortable though. The building itself functions as an appartement as well but no cash desk, toilet and very little waiting room with an old timetable for the trains. The people there were friendly and kindly showed us the way to the nature reserve. There is a village called Rétszilas but it is not behind the train station. It is circa 5km away from there. (In Hungarian: http://www.vasutallomasok.hu/allomas.php?az=rtsz or http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pusztaszabolcs%E2%80%93Duna%C3%BAjv%C3%A1ros%E2%80%93Paks-vas%C3%BAtvonal)

 Roship, full of vitamin C but not ripe enough yet.

 

 The area is framed by two channels and the lakes are fed by them. I follow this book during the "ramsar-tour" project. It is possible also to check details of the different Ramsar sites here: http://www.ramsar.hu/teruletek/20.htm

 

This Ramsar site was not only about nature but culture as well. One could have a nice luch at the local restaurant and the staff was actually very nice and welcoming!

 

My camera isn't appropriate I'm afraid to take pictures of birds but for this blog I do my best to take some photos of different plants and the area itself. When I'm able to catch a moment of birdlife I will certainly publish it here as well.

 

The only fishery museum in Hungary. A bit dusty but very interesting. There are explanations of the equipment in English and German too. 

Theory

So the idea of this quest is to get to know the cultural heritage and nature of the different Ramsar sites. We will take one site per month. Ideally we will be out on the field at the nearest weekend to the 15th of each month. Our first site is Rétszilas. Luckily there is a train station just at the corner of the site (N46° 48' 50.54" E18° 36' 5.15"). Initially we planned to stay there over the weekend as one can hire appartmant suites for a reasonable price (http://retimajor.hu/en/things-see-r-timajor) but the weather turned really wet and we are not prepared for that.

The tour begins...

Here I come again, this time in English to document my latest biological adventure. I am about to explore the Hungarian wetlands which were included in the Ramsar Convention, dated back in 1979. The "tour" starts this weekend, so we hope for some sunshine as it is rainy-grey at the moment.