Budapest Trip Report - April 2024.
The ongoing inclement weather in the U.K. comes hard after a winter in the Algarve and so, just for a week, we have ventured into Eastern Europe, namely Budapest to enjoy some very warm weather and hopefully, some good birding.
Once more, boarding my executive jet(2) at Leeds/Bradford, it took a surprisingly short time in the air before I had my first glimpse of the River Danube, winding its way towards Budapest, landing there just on sunset.
Once more, boarding my executive jet(2) at Leeds/Bradford, it took a surprisingly short time in the air before I had my first glimpse of the River Danube, winding its way towards Budapest, landing there just on sunset.
Visitors arrive in Budapest for a variety of reasons and, apart from some sightseeing to be done, it was the existence of at least nine species of European woodpeckers in the local area which provided the incentive for this first visit. I studied EBird for a while prior to coming, in order to locate some 'hotspots' and make the best use of our time.
9th April - Margit Hid and Varosliget. (Margaret Island and City Park).
One of the most pleasing finds during my planning, was that those of senior years travel absolutely free on buses, trams, metro system and the Hungarian rail (MAV). This was put to the test as we descended the escalator onto the metro, waving our U.K. driving licences to the inspector and we were on our way.
9th April - Margit Hid and Varosliget. (Margaret Island and City Park).
One of the most pleasing finds during my planning, was that those of senior years travel absolutely free on buses, trams, metro system and the Hungarian rail (MAV). This was put to the test as we descended the escalator onto the metro, waving our U.K. driving licences to the inspector and we were on our way.
The metro and tram ride took 15 minutes to Margit Hid, so named after Princess Margit, daughter of King Bela IV, in the 13th century. This public park is basically an island with the river Danube to either side. With ample green spaces, it is the large mature mostly deciduous trees which provide food and home to a variety of woodland bird species.
The Hooded Crow appears in all the parks, as do all the crow species from the small jackdaw to the Raven. Eurasian Magpie and Jay were seen with crows.