Fertő-Hanság National Park

🇭🇺 Hungary

🐦 Great Egret Marsh Spectacle
🌍 #160 Global · 3.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #4 in Europe #18 in Temperate Forest
Eastern Europe, Hungary 528 spp. recorded

Fertő-Hanság National Park lies in north‑western Hungary, bordering Lake Fertő and a network of shallow wetlands framed by temperate forest and low, sandy dunes. Walking trails wind through reed‑filled marshes, mixed woodlands and open meadow patches, offering a varied mosaic of habitats.

47.656° N   17.150° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Black-winged Stilt ★
LC

Black-winged Stilt

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Himantopus himantopus

50–60% · Likely
Great Egret ★
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

60–70% · Likely
European Pond Turtle ★
NT

European Pond Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Emys orbicularis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Common Kestrel
LC

Common Kestrel

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Falco tinnunculus

70–80% · Very likely
Western Marsh-Harrier
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Lapwing
NT

Northern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus vanellus

70–80% · Very likely
European Starling
LC

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

70–80% · Very likely
Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

70–80% · Very likely
European Tree Frog
LC

European Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyla arborea

60–70% · Likely
Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

60–70% · Likely
Ring-necked Pheasant
LC

Ring-necked Pheasant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phasianus colchicus

60–70% · Likely
White Wagtail
LC

White Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla alba

60–70% · Likely
Common Shelduck
LC

Common Shelduck

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tadorna tadorna

60–70% · Likely
Hooded Crow

Hooded Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus cornix

60–70% · Likely
Barn Swallow
LC

Barn Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hirundo rustica

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Brown Hare
LC

Brown Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus europaeus

50–60% · Likely
Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

50–60% · Likely
European Ground Squirrel
EN

European Ground Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Spermophilus citellus

40–50% · Likely
Coypu
LC

Coypu

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Myocastor coypus

20–30% · Possible
European Mole
LC

European Mole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Talpa europaea

20–30% · Possible
Eurasian Beaver
LC

Eurasian Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor fiber

20–30% · Possible
Red Deer
LC

Red Deer

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

20–30% · Possible
Eurasian Red Squirrel
LC

Eurasian Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus vulgaris

10–20% · Possible
Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
LC

Northern White-breasted Hedgehog

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Erinaceus roumanicus

10–20% · With luck
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

10–20% · With luck
Stone Marten
LC

Stone Marten

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Martes foina

10–20% · With luck
Least Weasel
LC

Least Weasel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mustela nivalis

0–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Black-winged Stilt ★
LC

Black-winged Stilt

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Himantopus himantopus

50–60% · Likely
Great Egret ★
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Kestrel
LC

Common Kestrel

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Falco tinnunculus

70–80% · Very likely
Western Marsh-Harrier
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Lapwing
NT

Northern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus vanellus

70–80% · Very likely
European Starling
LC

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

70–80% · Very likely
Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

70–80% · Very likely
Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

60–70% · Likely
Ring-necked Pheasant
LC

Ring-necked Pheasant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phasianus colchicus

60–70% · Likely
White Wagtail
LC

White Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla alba

60–70% · Likely
Common Shelduck
LC

Common Shelduck

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tadorna tadorna

60–70% · Likely
Hooded Crow

Hooded Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus cornix

60–70% · Likely
Barn Swallow
LC

Barn Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hirundo rustica

60–70% · Likely
Mute Swan
LC

Mute Swan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cygnus olor

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

European Pond Turtle ★
NT

European Pond Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Emys orbicularis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

grass snake
LC

grass snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Natrix natrix

40–50% · Possible
Sand Lizard
LC

Sand Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lacerta agilis

30–40% · Possible
Aesculapian Snake
LC

Aesculapian Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zamenis longissimus

20–30% · Possible
Green Lizard
LC

Green Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lacerta viridis

20–30% · Possible
Slow Worm
LC

Slow Worm

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anguis fragilis

10–20% · Possible
Smooth Snake
LC

Smooth Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Coronella austriaca

10–20% · Possible
Pond Slider
LC

Pond Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys scripta

Insufficient data
Common Wall Lizard
LC

Common Wall Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Podarcis muralis

Insufficient data
Viviparous Lizard
LC

Viviparous Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zootoca vivipara

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

European Tree Frog
LC

European Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyla arborea

60–70% · Likely
Green Toad
LC

Green Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufotes viridis

50–60% · Likely
European Fire-Bellied Toad
LC

European Fire-Bellied Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Bombina bombina

30–40% · Possible
Common Spadefoot
LC

Common Spadefoot

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelobates fuscus

20–30% · Possible
European Toad
LC

European Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufo bufo

20–30% · Possible
Agile Frog
LC

Agile Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Rana dalmatina

10–20% · Possible
Fire Salamander
VU

Fire Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Salamandra salamandra

10–20% · Possible
Smooth Newt
LC

Smooth Newt

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lissotriton vulgaris

10–20% · Possible
Danube Crested Newt
LC

Danube Crested Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Triturus dobrogicus

10–20% · With luck
Italian Crested Newt
VU

Italian Crested Newt

Amphibian

Triturus carnifex

Insufficient data
Marsh Frog
LC

Marsh Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelophylax ridibundus

0–10% · With luck
Yellow-bellied Toad
LC

Yellow-bellied Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Bombina variegata

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐸

Amphibian Chorus of European Tree Frogs

AugSep

European Tree Frogs gather in dense choruses around Fertő’s reed-fringed pools, producing a loud, melodic chorus that fills the evenings—a hallmark of the park’s wetland soundscape.

European Tree Frog
LC

European Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyla arborea

60–70% · Likely
🐦

Heron & Egret Feeding Frenzy

MayJunJul

Great Egrets and Grey Herons gather in large numbers to hunt fish and amphibians in the shallow Fertő Lake waters, creating a spectacular feeding frenzy visible from hides.

Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

60–70% · Likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

50–60% · Likely
🐦

Spring Marsh-Harrier & Lapwing Displays

MarAprMay

Western Marsh-Harriers perform aerial courtship displays over the reed beds, while Northern Lapwings engage in dramatic flight displays to defend territories.

Northern Lapwing
NT

Northern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus vanellus

70–80% · Very likely
Western Marsh-Harrier
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

70–80% · Very likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
30–40
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
Black-winged Stilt
10–20
10–20
30–40
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
30–40
10–20
0–10
10–20
Great Egret
20–30
30–40
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
European Pond Turtle
<5
0–10
0–10
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
0–10
0–10
<5
<5
<5
Common Kestrel
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
Western Marsh-Harrier
40–50
40–50
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
Northern Lapwing
20–30
50–60
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
30–40
40–50
20–30
European Starling
40–50
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
30–40
30–40
Black-headed Gull
30–40
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
European Tree Frog
10–20
30–40
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
30–40
10–20
Mallard
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
Ring-necked Pheasant
50–60
40–50
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
White Wagtail
10–20
30–40
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
10–20
30–40
Common Shelduck
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
30–40
Hooded Crow
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
Barn Swallow
10–20
10–20
20–30
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
40–50
10–20
10–20
10–20
Animal Events
🐦 Heron & Egret Feeding Frenzy
🐦 Spring Marsh-Harrier & Lapwing Displays
🐸 Amphibian Chorus of European Tree Frogs

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐦 Great Egret Marsh Spectacle

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
400
🐒 Mammals
92
🦎 Reptiles
18
🐸 Amphibians
18
528 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
32 Threatened 10 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
70%
📊
Coverage (190 species at ≥5% of 528 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
36%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 amphibian)
47% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
144
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
4
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
37
⚖️

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