My trip to Hungary, May 2011.

l've just returned from a wonderful and exciting week in Hungary. A few days were spent in Bukk Hills at an amazing hotel called The Nomad. Second half of the week was spent in The Hortabagy (hope that's spelt right ?).

The birds, weather and wildlife was fantastic. l went there this time last year and having seen approx' 140 birds, 40 of those were lifers.

Ural Owl and Lesser Spotted Eagle were my lifers this year.

Spring hasn't arrived there yet, so the abundance of birds isn't the same, the quality is though. l got to see (apart from mentioned) Golden Oriole, Beeater, Black Redstart, Whitebacked Woodpecker, Red-Footed Falcons, Wryneck, Cuckoo and Squacco, Night and Purple Heron. Oh and a migrating Nightjar, we flushed by accident.

Other wildlife seen were Lizards, Fire-Bellied Toads, juvenile Grass Snake, two Weasels both with prey and either a Polecat or a Pine Marten.

Hungary is a wonderful paradise, wall to wall wildlife, complete with  friendly, gentle country folk...l love it !!