Vig Károly: Zoological Research in Western Hungary. A history (Szombathely, 2003)

Phylum Vertebrata 183 found at Nyéki-szállás (MOGYORÓSI and PELLINGER 1992). Since then, it has bred regularly in small numbers at Fertő and in the Hanság (BANKOVICS et al 2002). There have been several records of the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Fertő district (MADARÁSZ 1896; HALLER 1941; ANON. 1980a) and on the Austrian side (HAFNER 1951). It has been breeding in the Hanság since 1998, two nesting pairs being observed in 1999. The breeding at Fertő was unsuccessful. The numbers of griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Hungary have been declining since the Second World War, although they used to appear in quite large flocks. The last observation in the area was on August 26, 1994 at Fertőboz (HARASZTHY 1998; MME NOMENCLATOR BIZOTTSÁG 1998a; HADARICS 1999h), although earlier appearances were recorded (K. K. 1948). The short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) is a very rare vagrant, of which only a few records are known in the area (NAGY 1967; HORVÁTH 1983). Several authors have covered the breeding of Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus) at Fertő and in the Hanság and changes in breeding numbers (SCHENK 1930b; STUDINKA 1942 and 1957b, FÜLÖP 1993b). There were still 24 nesting pairs in the area in 1933, but these days only 1-2 pairs are known. A melanistic specimen was collected near Lébény on April 28, 1931 (GRESCHNIK 1931a). Some authors have asserted that the hen harrier (C. cyaneus) has also bred at Fertő (VASVÁRI 1932a), but the record no longer appears in the latest works (HARASZTHY 1988 and 1998; BANKOVICS et al. 2002). Some examples of the steppe buzzard subspecies (Buteo buteo vulpinus) were observed near Fertőszentmiklós in the winter of 1955 (PÁTKAI 1957). The longlegged buzzard (B. rufinus) is a rare visitor to Fertő (LÁZÁR 1862). One was shot at Bánfalu on April 12, 1856 and sent to Vienna, and another years later by Fertő (CHERNÉL 1899), which went to the collection of ÖDÖN HUSZTHY at Léka (Lockenhaus). A specimen shot at Farad on October 20, 1952 was also placed in a collection (KIRÁLY 1957). Each appearance of the long-legged buzzard at the turn of the 20th century caused a minor sensation, but nowadays it can be considered an albeit rare breeder in this country (HARASZTHY 1998). Altogether three records from Fertő and two from the Hanság are known (BANKOVICS et al. 2002). The lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) used to breed regularly in the Hanság (CHERNÉL 1889; KIRÁLY 1931d; HORVÁTH 1965 and 1983; SEY 1964). Otherwise, only occurrence data are known (AUMÜLLER 1966; FÜLÖP 1977, 1978a and 1983; KÁRPÁTI 1983b). The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a rare vagrant in the area. So far ten observations have been made at Fertő and three in the Hanság (BARACSKAY 1983; RANNER and SAMWALD 1991; PELLINGER and SOPRONI 1995 and 1999). The booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) used to be found in the Hanság (KIRÁLY 1955c), but there have been no recent reports. A pair presumably bred in 1949 near Kapuvár, where a nest and an egg were found (HORVÁTH 1954). They are thought to have bred in the same area again in 1950 and 1951 (HORVÁTH 1965). There is a record of the quail (Coturnix coturnix) wintering at Fertő in the