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Category Archives: News

Kentish Plover

Posted on 2024. August 1. - 14:30 by
Kentish Plover

One of the target species of the project is the Kentish Plover, a small shorebird of outstanding conservation value not only in the area, but in Hungary as a whole. Its population varies a lot between 0 and 20 pairs in Hungary. The bird can be observed on bare alkali surfaces, alkali lakes and beaches. The disappearance, drying and sedimentation of alkali lakes in Hungary have negative impacts on the species. Grazing with sheep is very important for its conservation. Grazing animals reduce vegetation and the insects that develop in their dung provide food for birds. The nest of the Kentish Plover is a scrape in the ground in which they usually lay 3 eggs.

Implementing a conservation project in “Miklapuszta”

Posted on 2024. August 1. - 14:29 by
Bare alkali flat with patches of cress (Lepidium spp.)

The “Miklapuszta” landscape unit of Kiskunság National Park is located in the centre of the country, in Bács-Kiskun County. It is a nationally protected natural area, covering more than 6,000 hectares. Perhaps the country’s most beautiful alkali grasslands are found here: kilometres of bare alkali surfaces, separated by loess plateaus up to 1-1.5 metres high and by marshes and meadows in deeper-lying areas. About one-fifth of its area is part of the Állampuszta National Prison. Experts from the Centre for Ecological Research, the Kiskunság National Park Directorate, the Élvonal Shorebird Science team of the University of Debrecen and the Dunatáj Nature and Environmental Protection Public Foundation are implementing a conservation project here with the support of the European Union’s LIFE-Nature programme, which includes the re-establishment of grazing, the eradication of invasive plants, and the study of the effects of anti-worm veterinary drugs on arthropod and bird diversity.

The first bird ringing in 2024

Posted on 2024. July 25. - 22:14 by

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.

Photos: Lilla Kocsis

Insect hotels on the grassland

Posted on 2024. July 17. - 22:11 by

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.

The project in Bologna

Posted on 2024. June 26. - 22:09 by

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.

First public forums

Posted on 2024. March 6. - 22:05 by

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!

Small-flowered asparagus

Posted on 2023. August 12. - 21:57 by

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.

Exhibition in Hódmezővásárhely

Posted on 2023. July 7. - 21:53 by
We have participated in the Alföld Animal Husbandry Days in Hódmezővásárhely, southern Hungary, where visitors could find us at two stands. In three days, we have consulted with numerous livestock farmers and promoted insect-friendly and bird-friendly grazing among them.
More than one hundred farmers have filled out our questionnaire at the event. If you are involved in livestock grazing and would like to help our research, we will appreciate if you could fill out the questionnaire, which is available HERE. If you know someone who may be interested, please share the questionnaire with them as well.