Altitudinal movements of four montane passerines in Hungary

Abstract

There are no high mountains in Hungary, but in winter several montane species visit from the Alps and the Carpathians. Here, we used data from an internet database and a detailed literature review to investigate the spatial and temporal occurrence of four altitudinal migrant species in Hungary. Two of these species, Wallcreeper and Alpine Accentor, nest only in the Alps and Carpathians, while White-throated Dipper and Grey Wagtail breed in the mountainous areas of Hungary as well. The first individuals of Wallcreepers typically arrive in early October, but some birds migrate further south. In spring, it is considered rare in early April and exceptionally rare later on. The Alpine Accentor occurs in Hungary in a similar period as the Wallcreeper, but the birds do not leave the mountaineous areas in winter. Both species are found in anthropogenic environments, but the Wallcreeper is more often found on urban buildings and in lowlands. The White-throated Dipper has been recorded for a total of 10 times in lower regions during the coldest winter months, perhaps driven by the freezing of mountain streams. The Grey Wagtail is most often found in lowlands in mid-March and in September–October. It is typically found along rivers, and often overwinters along thermal waters.