12 Comments
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Mattia from Italy
I agree with Ralph: Hortobagy is a poor place for mammals. And I was not alone, but with a local birding guide. For Sousliks we had to go in another place (near the Slovak border), because they are difficult in Hortobagy. We saw a Stoat, but the absence of wild ungulates was surprising. Steppe Polecat is very difficult to see.
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Janos Olah
I did not say Hortobagy is a great place for mammals!! I just commented on the possibilities.
But seeing Souslik is easy and your guide (was a birders) was not on top!
However they do aestivate but in August they are still around. I think precipitation in summer is more important then temperature. We still see them in August in Romania too.
Steppe Polecat is very difficult to see, indeed I totally agree but everywhere not only in the Hortobagy. Two were seen yesterday at broad daylight while watching for Cranes… For this species it is more like the actual timing (easiest in April-May), mammals, scarce or difficult to see species like birds, there is always a best time to see one.
Anyway I hope next time you have a better experience on Hortobagy. Great place for wildlife – I leave and watch wildlife here for 25 years…
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Vladimir Dinets
There are free-roaming herds of Przewalski’s horse in Mongolia and China. See https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41763/97204950
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Mattia from Italy
It depends on the hot climate. The Hungarian plain is one of the hottest place in Europe during summer (and in winter is very foggy… all in all not the best climate!). Even the Alpine Marmots in the Alps on southern sunny slopes stay in dens during the day in the most hotter weeks of summer, and come out at night. Climate in Vienna, or on Hungarian hills, is more friendly and you can watch Sousliks without problems even in August.
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Janos Olah
Dear Ralf! Great report usually enjoy reading them. Not sure how accurate it is though regarding Hortobágy. It is more like your imperssions only. Anywhere in Europe it is not easy to access the good places when lone travellers on thight budget. This is a problem and frustratin, and I agree it is the case in Hortobágy NP too and this is not really a good thing…
However there are excellent logdes who cater for birders and wildlife enthusiast like Bíbic Nature Lodge in Balmazújváros (you should stay there and support these places) and although a lot of good areas are restricted access, guides are available! It is easy to see Souslik, there are several Steppe Polecat territories, easy to see Hamster and very good chance of Otter, Stout, Weasel. Golden Jacklas also arrived a few years ago and they doing well but really shy due to hunting pressure. Surely for mice Hortobágy is not really good! Ungulates as you describe – like Przewalski Horse – nowhere in the World roaming wild nowadays…They are enclosed in Hortobágy as well as in Hustai (Mongolia as well). Red Deer is not in the area but Roe Deer is common. I hope next time you seek some local help and make your visit more enjoyable! Keep up mammal watching!