News
The II. Biodiversity Conference was held in Hortobágy
There was a huge interest in the 2nd Biodiversity Conference organised by the LIFEforBUGSandBIRDS project, the Biodiversity Centre of the University of Debrecen, the Faculty of Agricultural, Food Sciences and Environmental Management of the University of Debrecen and the Hortobágy National Park Directorate. The theme of the event was innovative conservation with animals, focusing on […]
We participated in the Eastern European LIFE Projects Platform Meeting Conference
At the end of March, the LIFEforBUGSandBIRDS project also participated in the Central and Eastern European LIFE Projects Platform Meeting Conference (CEE InterLIFE-Hungary 2025) in Balmazújváros, where participants from several Central and Eastern European LIFE projects gathered to present their activities and share their professional experiences. At the meeting, several promotional tools were presented and […]
We organized a shepherds’ meeting in Fülöpszállás
We started the year by organising a regional workshop, where we introduced the project and the idea and methods of insect-friendly grazing for shepherds and farmers involved in livestock grazing. The workshop allowed the sharing of experiences and opinions about the subject among shepherds, farmers and researchers. Based on the feedback received, the workshop was […]
We held our third annual project meeting
In mid-January, held our third annual project meeting, attended by the organisations participating in the LIFEforBUGSandBIRDS (Miklapuszta-LIFE) project and members of the Advisory Board such as Állampuszta Ltd. The beneficiaries presented their results achieved in 2024, and we also discussed future plans in technical consultations. If you would like updates about the latest news on […]
The first bird ringing in 2024
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, […]
Insect hotels on the grassland
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
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 […]
Information boards
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 […]
Article in VM MAGAZINE
Our article about the natural values of Miklapuszta has been published in the magazine “Varázslatos Magyarország”!
First public forums
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!
The first insect-habitats are put in place
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.
Small-flowered asparagus
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 […]
Exhibition in Hódmezővásárhely
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 […]
Pied Avocet
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 […]
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. […]