With the nights drawing in, autumn is a great time to visit some of the more obscure destinations for bird watching tours. The change in seasons means a change in the habitats, behaviour and colouring of avian wildlife. This chance to see the migration of birds from the colder reaches of the northern hemisphere is one not to be missed. The location of some countries means that they provide bird watchers with opportunities to witness the flight of some birds that ordinarily live in harsh climates. With many low cost flights to some cities traditionally considered ‘off the beaten track’, why not take this great opportunity to enjoy autumn bird watching tours?
Estonia: With the end of the Arctic summer, there are a huge number of birds that head south for winter, crossing Estonia as they do so. The landscape of the country lends itself particularly strongly to wading birds, leading to an opportunity to watch the birds as they feed in the marshes on the Baltic coastline. The most visible species to be found on Estonian bird watching tours will be the Common Crane, but there are also White-Tailed Eagles to be spotted in the crisp tundra skies. The climate is temperate, but temperatures will be starting to drop in the autumn months.
Normandy: Autumn is a great time to head to France’s Normandy coast, where the migration of land birds will be underway. This is also a great time for sea watching from Gatteville, where plenty of marine birds are visible from the cliffs. Although only a short trip from the UK, the area is home to a number of species that don’t live in Britain, including three species of woodpecker, the Fan-Tailed Warbler and the Shoe-Toed Treecreeper. Trips to Normandy are also the ideal opportunity to indulge in the area’s famous seafood delights.
Hungary: Another great place for autumn bird watching tours, the Hortobágy National Park in eastern Hungary is another prime spot for witnessing the autumn migration. The flat steepe is home to a number of lakes and ponds, and welcomes around 50,000 Common Cranes every autumn – considered by many to be one of Europe’s finest spectacles. It’s hard to overstate just how magnificent is the experience of wave after wave of the birds flying in. The National Park is also temporary home to Great Bustards, Dotterels, Imperial Eagles, Saker Falcons and a number of woodpeckers and raptors.