Sunday, December 27, 2009

Ferruginous Duck, Moorente, Aythya nyroca


Saw this Beauty briefly ‘at home’ in Hungary in 2009. A guide from the nature protection organisation around there was surprised when I told her that they were in our region. The Ferruginous Duck is on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. Status: Near threatened, trend decreasing
The Ferruginous Duck has a Body length of about 38-42cm and a WS of 60-67cm. Breeds at lakes and marshes with sufficient open water, the depth needs to be at least 1m.
They are rather shy and silent and easy to miss.
Infos from:




From Birds Hungary 2009

And recently ID-ed these as a flock of Ferruginous - correct me, if I'm wrong

From Birds in Hungary 2008

Friday, October 2, 2009

Common Pheasant, Fasan, Phasianus colchius

Pheasant in Hungary have the tendency to scare the living daylights out of you on your walks.
They just pop out of nowhere to fly away with a bone chilling noise.

Common Pheasant, Fasan, Phasianus colchius (female)
From Birds Hungary 2009
Common Pheasant, Fasan, Phasianus colchius (female)
From Birds Hungary 2009
Common Pheasant, Fasan, Phasianus colchius (female)
From Birds Hungary 2009
Common Pheasant, Fasan, Phasianus colchius (female)
From Birds Hungary 2009
Common Pheasant, Fasan, Phasianus colchius (male)
From Birds Hungary 2009
Common Pheasant, Fasan, Phasianus colchius (male)
From Birds Hungary 2009

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Balata to, Somogy, Hungary

From Balata to, Hungary 2009

In August 2009 I went with a guided tour provided by the DDNP to the Balata to (Baláta-tó = ancient moor / bog) near Nagyatád close to a small village named Kaszó in Somogy county, Hungary.
This moor is a relic from prehistorical times.
In it’s micro climate you can find animal and plant relics that are left from the ice age and the tropics.
One of these is the insect devouring seaweed Aldrovanda vasculosa, which can get 7-8m long.
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
The moor is part of the Duna-Drava nature preserve park and the protected area has a seize of 174 hectar. At the meeting point you find some information (in Hungarian) and the ‘train station’.

From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
You can reach the moor via a small train that takes you as close to approx. 1 km near the moor.

From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
Or you can walk to the moor, which is about 2km away from the meeting point / entrance. It’s a nice walk and you get to see quite some plantlife along the way. Not exactly sure as to ‘what’ was special in this area, but it was one of the plants ( tried to find IDs for the plants, but alas, no such luck yet. I will keep trying ).
Mueller's helleborine, Epipactis muelleri
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
Ästige Graslilie, Anthericum ramosum
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
Yellow Scabius, Gelbe Skabiose, Scabiosa ochroleuca
From Balata to, Hungary 2009

There are decent signs with information, maps and markers along the trail, so it’s hard to get lost. If you can read Hungarian, you might even learn what the plant & birdlife is that you get to see.

From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From Balata to, Hungary 2009

Watchtower to see the moor. The moor was quite dried up. There was not enough rain to keep the water level up and there are no streams to feed it. The last time this happened was 2005.

From Balata to, Hungary 2009
From The kids
The dogs from above. They waited quite patiently There is no problem in bringing dogs along, but keep them on a leash.

Map butterfly, Landkärtchenfalter, Araschnia levana
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
A visitor during the break.

Spotted Deadnettle, Lamium maculatum
From Balata to, Hungary 2009

From Balata to, Hungary 2009

The protected area that gets you close to the moor. Remember, do not go there without a guide.

Gemeines Leinkraut, Linaria vulgaris
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
Spreading Bellflower, Campanula patula
From Balata to, Hungary 2009
Oakmoss, Evernia prunastri
From Balata to, Hungary 2009

I wasn’t an avid birder at that time, but I guess birdlife is abundant here. The only fellow I can show as proof is a Black Redstart that posed for me at the beginning of the tour.

Black Redstart, Hausrotschwanz, Phoenicurus ochruros
From Birds Hungary 2009

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Black stork, Schwarzstorch, Ciconia nigra


I remember the first time I’ve seen Black storks circling in the sky in Hungary.
It was amazing.
A few weeks later after hoping to see one of them closer up, I stumbled across one in the thickets near a lake.
He was as surprised as I was :)
From Birds Hungary 2009

And soon after I got a closer view of one of them flying by.


From Birds Hungary 2009
From Birds Hungary 2009
From Birds Hungary 2009
From Birds Hungary 2009
Photos taken in Somogy county, Hungary, July 2009