Gemenc

This site was totally astonishing. Well organized train trips are available on site with a narrow gauge train, and if the weather allows we can also check out an old steam engine, which runs through the whole floodplain forest. (English site is on the way: http://kisvasut.hu/index.php?rfa=12&lang=hu)

The habitat was very interesting for me as it is a site for black stork (Ciconia nigra) and I could rarely catch a glimpse about this wonder creature. Time to time I check out a webcam (http://pontu.eenet.ee/player/melnais-starkis.html) for a Latvian black stork family, however I'm keen on exploring their habitat in Hungary as well and spot them on site if possible. Of course my little train  trip did not reveal any nest site but some mammals popped up on the way and looked up surprised from the detailed undergrowth. 

Here are some pics about the railway trip and the train itself. From Budapest the highway goes directly to the site however one can discover other possibilities to go on site such as couches.

Wood covered carriage. Old fashioned but functional. This carriage also runs in wintertime not the open air one. As I saw it is also possible to "turn on the heating" with an iron fire place.

Lovely place for wild boars and other huntable (not sure if this word exisits...) species. I'm not from a family where people do hunting but I'm aware of the quality meat, which comes from this forest.

The Danube looked empty as it was nearly midday and actually one of the hottest summer days...

We only took a short ride and shared the train with a school group. If the situation allows it is possible to take a ship ride from the end station or continue the way with a little steam engine. Canoeing is also possible on the Danube and would totally allow professional/non-professional explorations.  

It does really exist! 

Central heating! I guess it works with coal. 

Our departure and destination. Hopping on the train in Keselyűs and coming back to the same station took around 90 minutes with a short stop in the middle of the forest. 

Hiking trails are marked with the famous bird. Surely recommended to try one of the trails! Ticks and mosquitoes are there but we shall wear appropriate cloths and put on some repellent agent.  

To own a boat at this site would allow us to explore the area a bit better. It is totally possible but a bit far for us right now.

Frogs and birds were abundant at the site and I spotted a white wading bird perching on a dead tree. Probably it was a great egret (Ardea alba). 

The train station is small but new. Refreshments/rest rooms are available!

Mártély

We did not take public transport to visit this site but it is near a popular holiday site so if you want to visit it, it is possible without a car. 

We chose the shortest way to the site but it was bit of a surprise when we arrived to the river Tisza and there were no bridge there... well it turned out that we should take a ferry boat/bridge and actually it was quite fast (however one has to pay for it).

Not in an excellent condition but a well used raft on the river Tisza.

In the floodplain of Tisza the holiday houses stand on poles. Sometimes this additional 2-3 meters isn't sufficient and the house can be completely flooded.

This is already the lovely Ramsar site. The lawn is still empty and very green.

Floodplain forest at spring time. There was not much animal visible but we had nice weather and marvelous lighting.

There are some pools filled with water in the middle of the forest. 

Moss on the bark of the trees.

The is the backwater of river Tisza.

Dead trees can be really good for some bird species. On the other hand it is possible that guano of cormorants can kill trees (such as on the pictures but it is not confirmed by local personnel).

The study trail of this site is not that well kept and some development is needed. Description is missing, however everything is from wood. 

Fares for the ferry boat on the Tisza (not the only way to get to the site and there is a lunch break for the staff so if you arrive in the wrong time you should wait a bit).

Fertő-Hanság

This area belongs to the Fertő-Hanság National Park (http://www.ferto-hansag.hu/index.php?lang=en), where I had the chance to ring some waterbirds, when I was a student.

The majority of Lake Fertő belongs to Austria so the conservation activity is under Hungarian-Austrian regulations. 

We have visited a site swamp, where plenty of species can be found. The village called Mexikópuszta or Fertőújlak is nearby and accommodation/assistance can be asked for from local birders (it is worth to contact me or the nearby National Park Authority to give some ideas).

Information board at the entrance of the territory.  

As sometimes near the Ramsar sites, traditional Hungarian animals are bred at the proximity of the area. On the way to the swamp, we have seen a huge farm and I found out that it is open for visitors (although it is seasonal). 

Here is the first high stand, where one can climb up a bit, to look around.

Local rangers can come here easily with cars but otherwise it is a nice little walk, into the wild.

Some information about local species.

And the identification guide for bird watchers. The day we went there it was quite windy and so I could not find anything nearby.

I had the chance to see a Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) flying over the channel.

Nyirkai-Hany

So I went to West Hungary to explore two sites. Both of them belong to the same national park and previously I was lucky enough to stay in a research house and ring some waterbirds. So the area was not entirely new to me, however on my own (actually I was with my family) was not that easy to find the right place. Below you can see our first trial...

This is a gravel factory near the actual natural site. First when I spotted the lake from the road I was a bit surprised by the amount of noise and disturbance. After I spoke with one of the truck drivers and I realized it is not the Ramsar site I was looking for. 

In the middle of February it was still a bit chilly. Snow can see on the channel ditch and the lake was full with geese and other wildfowl. 

As usual information board is available, however it is getting kinda old these days. A real review is needed to make it up-to-date.

I was totally surprised to see the holiday houses at the lake shore. There is two lake system at the area and I suppose the one with the fishing holiday houses isn't the one which bears the most birds. We walked through the road in between the two lake system.

Definitely beaver...

 This tree is almost done still need some work from the local engineer. Actually we also heard and saw a mammal coming out of the water but he was a bit shy to capture it on the camera.

Wooden houses not for cheap as it turned out later on.

The habitat itself isn't homogeneous as I could observe it from the distance. It contains several reed islands and this can come handy in the breeding season for several species!