Ócsa

This city is well known amongs birders in Budapest and nearby. Lots of people gained experience in ringing in this station (http://omve.hu/beforeafter.html). It is possible to even volunteer there and it is not that difficult to get there. I took a train and came home by bus. The ringing station is outsite of the city, circa 15minutes on foot.

This is the road, which takes us to the ringing station. It's possible to stay in the house of the ringing station and help out if needed. Every saturday there is ringing activity even in winter time and other season the station works as normal. When birds nest, the ringing activity is lower not to disturb the birds too much.

The ramsar site is marshy area, and there are several traits where nature lovers can wonder into the wild, however it is only possible to enter it with a guide as far as I know. Around the nets and the ringing station it is only possible to stay under regulation.

Me and my little one.

The habitat can be suitable for many species. I only noted 3 species while I was out as it was almost dark and did not have the time to wonder out.

1. Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius (I spoted it after its call, however I could not identify what species did he mimic)
2. Common Magpie - Pica pica (I loved them on the trees, there were like pearls sitting in a jewellery box)
3. Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus

Many years ago, the area was a huge wild land so called: "turján vidék" but it was regulated and lost quite a bit of its original size and beuty. Now under strickt protection it became well known for nature specialist and the attention made its effect.

As far as I know Black Woodpecker leaves a different mark on the trees but so it can still be at least 3 other species but someone who knows woodpecker mark or the local woodpecker fauna at the area could tell for sure.

Tata

Tata and its Ramsar site is undeniably urbanized. I can not show it with numbers but as far as I know because of the heavy industry nearby at Tatabánya, the waterquality was quite bad for years and it is still polluted.

This does not have such a negative impact on the wildlife, even it seems to serve as a perfect wintering place for wild geese and other waterfowl species.

In November there is a huge festival (http://www.vadludsokadalom.hu/videok.html) built around the natural event of geese flying in formation.

Tata has a great history and I heard of a place near the lake where one must buy a hot chocolat but I missed as I did not want to miss the big thing, so the famous flying in formation of the flocks.

 

Here we are at the lake. This pic came out really well, although I did not have the professional equipment. So the lake's shore is mostly surrounded by artificial concrete wall which functions as a fence too. The water level was low as the lake's bed was visible for some extent.

This is the point where I started to feel a bit strange about the whole thing as people started to flow in bigger and bigger groups towards the lake. I have suddenly noticed the official festival and one of my eyes was crying and the other one was happy. There were so many people there, I must say I could not tell if there were more geese coming in by twilight or more people wathing the birds coming in to rest after a long day.

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!