Author Archives: Tóth Máté

In the project, the University of Debrecen conducts continuous surveys of shorebird populations and the monitoring of their nests. Nesting success studies provide important information both on habitat quality and the impact of habitat management implemented in the project. This year, we monitored a total of 169 nests of four species (Northern Lapwing, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Common Redshank) from nest-building to the fledging of chicks. Among them, we observed families with chicks of the Kentish Plover, one of the target species of the project. In addition, we fitted colour rings on a total of 14 chicks of three species, which will help us to monitor them more effectively in the future.

We have installed information boards to demonstrate the project activities and the natural values of the area. One of the four boards is located in the courtyard of the busy Pilgrims’ House in Harta, where locals and visitors from further afield can learn about our activities. The other three have been installed on the edge of the project area, and one of them is along a nature trail that will soon be built.

Last year we continued the installation of artificial habitats for arthropods. We have installed newly designed, innovative insect hotels at 21 sites across the project area. Due to their design, the insect hotels primarily provide habitat for feeding, hiding, breeding and overwintering for arthropods living on or near the ground surface.

We presented the project at the 7th European Congress of Conservation Biology in Bologna, Italy in June. We presented two posters, one of which promoted the objectives and the activities in the project, while the other was about insect-friendly grazing. The two posters drew considerable interest, and we established several promising professional contacts with international experts on the topic.

Our article about the natural values of Miklapuszta has been published in the magazine “Varázslatos Magyarország”!

We held two public forums in Akasztó and Harta. The participants could learn about the natural values of Miklapuszta, the objectives and the activities of the project. We would like to thank everyone for their participation!

One of the ornithological values of the area is the Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), which has a population of 10-20 pairs in Miklapuszta. Its abundance is mainly influenced by the water level of the alkali lakes. It uses its characteristic upcurved beak to scythe in the shallow water, collecting crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates. It lays its 4 eggs in a nest built on the soil surface and the hatchlings are precocial. Its main predators are the Hooded Crow and the Red Fox, which are a threat to both eggs and chicks. It is highly protected and has a conservation value of 250,000 HUF.

Every year, we have started to introduce artificial habitats to increase the species and number of arthropod communities. We have placed pesticide-free cattle pens at 20 sites in the project area, which will provide feeding and breeding habitat for flies, gall midges and dung beetles.

Every summer survey of the small-flowered asparagus (Cirsium brachycephalum) was completed, visiting previously known habitats of the species at a total of 8 sites. Based on the results of the survey, the population of the Miklapuszta is estimated to be at least 15 000 hectares. The small-flowered asparagus is a biennial plant, developing only an aster in the first year and flowering in the second. The flowers are small, bloom in July, and the fruit is a fuzzy cluster. Pannonian endemic species, the largest populations are found in Hungary, protected, conservation value 5000 ft.