Golden Eagle Watching and Photography

Join a bird watching and photography tour at the foothills of the Harghita Mountains on a full day tour. Discover the rich variety of the bird life in this part of the Eastern Carpathians. Scope for various species of woodpeckers, European crested tits, jays, finches, golden oriole, red crossbills among many other species. This tour is suitable for both experienced and casual birdwatchers.  Woodpeckers can be encountered most easily during courtship season in March-April. They seem to disappear in the forests in summer during the breeding season but emerge again at the beginning of autumn. Some species, grey-headed and white-backed woodpecker in particular, visit feeding sites even in winter. Crossbills can be encountered in practically any season of the year. The nest of a golden eagle may be also spotted during the tour. Bird watching and photography tours can take many different forms, however a primary form is to use hides to facilitate an up-close experience of wildlife which would not otherwise be possible. Wildlife watching hides allow wildlife to be viewed without being disrupted or unnecessarily disturbed, visitors can view wild animals and birds in close proximity, offer some protection for viewers and generates revenue for local rewilding efforts.  We work with several hides and guides in the Eastern Carpathians and our tours have had a success rate around 90% so far. During the winter our guides feed the birds, but in the other seasons they come to bath and drink at the small birdbath.  The following wildlife hide designs are available to be booked:  • Tent hides and mobile hides often provide superior wildlife and bird viewing experiences and they are used for viewing mobile wildlife that infrequently remains in a single location (ie. Capercaille, etc.), but offer low levels of comfort.  • Cabin hides offer high level of comfort and allow for visitors to stay in the hides for longer periods. If you want the flexibility and freedom to design your own personalised tour itinerary, then the tailor-made tour is the perfect holiday choice for you. Whether it’s your family adventure or you come for a special photography target, we take the time to understand exactly what you want from your adventure holiday and then put together your ideal itinerary to match.

For observation of avifauna, we recommend visiting the area during spring - autumn, because the lakes are frozen in the winter. During summer you can watch the nesting species, and in spring and autumn can appear rare guests among the migratory birds that rest here. Sânpaul's ornithological retreat has a legal status of protection at county and national level, but it is also an integral part of Natura 2000 ROSPA0027 Homorod Hills. The natural reserve stretches over an area of ​​210 hectares and includes the ponds from the valley of Homorodul Mare, as well as the surroundings. The smallest altitude is 440 m above sea level and the nearby hills reach the height of 718 meters. Prior to the arrangement of the ponds, most of the area was covered by large swamps, reed and water lilies, the land being used by locals as pasture, hay and to a lesser extent for plowing. In the quietest area of ​​the ornithological retreat from Sânpaul are built two observatories: one is directed towards the water and the other towards the shore of the lake. Observatories are equipped with reflective glass, so the birds can be photographed without being disturbed. First and foremost can be seen and photographed limbic birds, namely, shore, ardeids and ducks: hawks, egrets, nagâț, carriages, runners and whistles. An observer can be used by 2 people at the same time. Price offer: 50 euro / observation / max. 2pers