I spent mid-morning birding the small area where the rákos-patak meets the Danube, just north of Arpad Hid on the Pest side. This is a 20 minute walk from my home and my "local patch." There were lots of Magpies, 10+ Hooded Crows including one possible Carrion crow. It was not a juv. Rook nor a Jackdaw. Had the exact same shape and bill of the Hooded Crows except that this indivdual was slightly smaller and had some feather loss around the neck like an older or diseased bird. Lots of Blue Tits, Great Tits and 10+ Wood Warblers, 6 Cormorants, 30+ Barn Swallows in the lagoon, 1st yr. Pied Flycatcher, 10+ Black-headed Gulls, 15+ Mallards, spectacular close view of a Hobby stooping for a Barn Swallow, treecreeper, Sparrowhawk attacking a songbird, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, Whitethroat and a few Wood pigeons. * using "+" to mean the number is estimated. Jed Marc

If anyone is going out by car from Budapest for birding in the next few days, I am interested in coming along. Some of you have my phone number and can call me. For anyone else, please email me: jedku@yahoo.com. Any destination worth birding at this time of year is fine for me. I am happy to pay for the petrol/gas/fuel/benzine! Thanks, Jed Marc

From the field guide, it appears that only Tawny and maybe Long-eared Owls are possible. Also, interesting to see the egg dates are all Springtime. In the USA our most commonly seen Great Horned Owl has egg dates as early as Jan. 2 in many parts of the east. Maybe some finches to look forward to? Cheers, Marc

Since the leaves are falling, I am thinking of Owls. What owl species are most common in the forests of the Buda Hills? Please no specific directions to known nests. We do not want to disturb the upcoming breeding season. I only ask for general information. Also, Thanks for the Budapest tips Balázs and Peter. Marc

Salvete amici! Special greeting to you Balazs. I hope we meet again soon. Anyone have favorite local spots to bird from public transit in Budapest? I am searching for a spot nearby to bird throughout the year and have a peaceful hike. Margit Island and Hajogyari Island are close to me. But I haven't found much there. Anyone else a regular birder of these Islands can add information about the highlights of them? I found another spot by taking the 1 Tram to its end at the Eurocenter. I hiked up the hills birding the forest. It's great exercise. Finally, after Hármashatár hegy, is Viragos nyereg which has 3 habitats: wildflower fields, forest and agriculture. I haven't birded there much yet, but will start reporting what I find. Interested to read about other people's favorite spots in Budapest: Marc Kusterer