Fertő-Hanság National Park

🇭🇺 Hungary

🐦 Great Egret Marsh Spectacle
🌍 #146 Global · 3.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #3 in Europe #13 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%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
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 Endemic

European Pond Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Emys orbicularis

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Greylag Goose
LC

Greylag Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anser anser

80–90% · Very likely
Common Kestrel
LC Endemic

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 Endemic

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 Endemic

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
European Tree Frog
LC

European Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyla arborea

60–70% · Likely
Hooded Crow

Hooded Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus cornix

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 Rabbit
EN

European Rabbit

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Oryctolagus cuniculus

20–30% · Possible
Wild Boar
LC Endemic

Wild Boar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sus scrofa

10–20% · With luck
🐒 No photo available
LC

European Mole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Talpa europaea

10–20% · With luck
Eurasian Beaver
LC

Eurasian Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor fiber

10–20% · With luck
Elk
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

10–20% · With luck
Eurasian Red Squirrel
LC Endemic

Eurasian Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus vulgaris

10–20% · With luck
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

5–10% · 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

Greylag Goose
LC

Greylag Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anser anser

80–90% · Very likely
Common Kestrel
LC Endemic

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 Endemic

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 Endemic

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

⭐ Iconic Species

European Pond Turtle ★
NT Endemic

European Pond Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Emys orbicularis

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

grass snake
LC

grass snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Natrix natrix

30–40% · 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% · With luck
Smooth Snake
LC

Smooth Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Coronella austriaca

10–20% · With luck
Pond Slider

Pond Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys scripta

5–10% · With luck
Common Wall Lizard
LC Endemic

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

10–20% · With luck
Agile Frog
LC

Agile Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Rana dalmatina

10–20% · With luck
🐸 No photo available
VU Endemic

Fire Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Salamandra salamandra

10–20% · With luck
Smooth Newt
LC

Smooth Newt

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lissotriton vulgaris

10–20% · With luck
Danube Crested Newt
LC

Danube Crested Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Triturus dobrogicus

5–10% · With luck
Italian Crested Newt
VU

Italian Crested Newt

Amphibian

Triturus carnifex

5–10% · With luck
Marsh Frog
LC

Marsh Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelophylax ridibundus

<5% · Rare
Yellow-bellied Toad
LC Endemic

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
🐦

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
🐦

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

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
40–50
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
Black-winged Stilt
10–20
10–20
30–40
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
30–40
10–20
5–10
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
5–10
5–10
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
5–10
5–10
<5
<5
<5
Greylag Goose
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
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
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
European Tree Frog
10–20
20–30
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
30–40
10–20
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
Animal Events
🐦 Spring Marsh-Harrier & Lapwing Displays
🐦 Heron & Egret Feeding Frenzy
🐸 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 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐦 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
850 Global average across 296 parks
32 Threatened 52 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
72%
📊
Coverage (185 species at ≥5% of 528 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
35%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 amphibian)
46% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
143
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
5
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
38

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Fertő-Hanság National Park?

The most likely sightings are Greylag Goose (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Common Kestrel (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Western Marsh-Harrier (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Northern Lapwing (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), European Starling (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 528 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Fertő-Hanság National Park for wildlife?

April has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Black-winged Stilt in Fertő-Hanság National Park?

Yes — about 58% of wildlife watchers report a Black-winged Stilt sighting in Fertő-Hanság National Park, based on 976 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Great Egret in Fertő-Hanság National Park?

Yes — about 63% of wildlife watchers report a Great Egret sighting in Fertő-Hanság National Park, based on 1,050 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see European Pond Turtle in Fertő-Hanság National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 10% of wildlife watchers report a European Pond Turtle sighting in Fertő-Hanság National Park, based on 37 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

⚖️

Fertő-Hanság or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

Compare parks

Explore Other Parks

Kiskunság National Park 📍 192 km 🦅 Saker Falcon Circles Kiskunság Wetlands

Kiskunság National Park

🇭🇺 Hungary 🌍 #210 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #9 in Europe #33 in Temperate Forest
Tatra National Park 📍 282 km 🐐 Chamois on the Tatra Ridgelines

Tatra National Park

🇸🇰 Slovakia 🌍 #233 Global · 3.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #11 in Europe #42 in Temperate Forest
Triglav National Park 📍 295 km 🦎 Fire Salamanders After Alpine Rain

Triglav National Park

🇸🇮 Slovenia 🌍 #280 Global · 2.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #20 in Europe #61 in Temperate Forest
Hortobágy National Park 📍 300 km 🐦 Great Egrets Over the Puszta Marshes

Hortobágy National Park

🇭🇺 Hungary 🌍 #134 Global · 3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #1 in Europe #8 in Temperate Forest