Protecting the nature

2023

Our group has begun the significant task of checking approximately 250 roller cavities entrusted to us. These cavities are located in the Borsod-Mezőség region, often in quite challenging terrains. The "roller yield" for this year looks promising. According to our experience so far, the birds have started nesting relatively at the same time, mostly waiting until the earlier nesting starlings have fledged their chicks. During this period (1-3, June), we found chicks that were on average 10-15 days old, but we also came across fledged broods and nests with eggs. So far, we’ve encountered a 6-chick brood in two cavities, a phenomenon that has been quite rare in our area. We’ve also spotted long-eared owls and tawny owls alongside the „usual” meadow sparrows and starlings. In our open-top cavities, common kestrels are nesting successfully, and occasionally even red-footed falcons. We don't push for chick ringing, but we do apply ornithological identification rings to broods of the ideal age and condition. The condition of our cavities leaves much to be desired, and many have deteriorated over the years. We hope to have the opportunity to replace them.

The professional "byproducts" of roller ringing are the observations we make during the work. This year, we are pleased to see that the lower-lying areas have filled with water, giving wetland and shorebirds a good chance to breed. Several great crested grebe colonies are active, and we've spotted black-winged stilts, redshank sandpipers, and curlew sandpipers as well. The presence of meadow pipits, common redshanks, and cranes on the area also indicates the improvement of the habitats.  In the heath, we’ve noticed the appearance of short-toed eagles, and we hope that a few pairs of Montagu’s harriers will nest there as well. Our activities in favor of the heath’s blue bird are expected to remain significant for the next 2-3 weeks.

• For our namesake bird in 2023...

The gem of our grassy heath, the roller’s nests, are now complete, with the chicks typically being about 2 weeks old, so we’ve started checking the nests. The approximately 250 nests entrusted to us are located in the Borsod-Mezőség. We are carrying out our work as part of the MME Bükk local group, with appropriate field equipment and under the supervision of BNPI. Due to over a quarter-century of active conservation work, the population of this highly protected bird has significantly increased. It’s well known among birdwatchers, that the chicks of this beautiful bird are not "potty-trained." Moreover, the defensive reaction of a chick when handled is to "let go" both above and below, which can only be avoided with great experience. So far (4th, July), we've observed several interesting phenomena with our bird, including two rare 6-chick broods, which is unusual for our region. Some of the cavities are being used by owls, and in one case, a long-eared owl is nesting alongside the usual starlings and meadow sparrows. Thanks to significant rainfall this year, there is plenty of food, which the rollers are making good use of. In one case, we were able to document this feeding. An interesting phenomenon was observed in this nest, where, in addition to the parent pair, a six-year-old, ringed, older bird is also "helping" feed the chicks. The "byproducts" of our fieldwork include many interesting observations related to the region's fauna. The waters of the heath are home to much life, somewhat reminiscent of past conditions. Our tasks connected to rollers will keep a significant portion of our energy occupied for weeks, and replacing missing cavities and renovating the deteriorated ones will be a lot of work. We hope that our activities will contribute to the long-term improvement of the country's natural state and the betterment of human attitudes toward nature.
Tamás Szitta

2021

The aim with the botanical survey of the European copper skink habitat is to keep track of change in the structural setting of flora (species composition or structure). The research was carried out at the Pipis hill in Domoszló and at the oak scrub forest of Tarma in Gyöngyössolymos, some of our permanent sampling areas. We managed to examine and analyse in detail plants found both within the sample and the control areas, the species density of reptiles, specifically the density of European copper skinks. It turned out that closing off areas from larger game was advantageous for plant diversity and made the area an adequate habitat for reptiles at the same time. Obviously, the aim is not to completely keep out wild game life from the rocky steppes and grasslands of the Mátra Mountains, the goal is instead to achieve a balanced and ideal condition.  

2020

• We completed a research at the request of the Bükk National Park Directorate titled “Monitoring the habitat choice of the specially protected European copper skink (zoology, coenology) within two specific 20x20 metre sample areas in the Mátra Mountains. ”The purpose of the research is to examine the following - within 6 different 20x20 metres sample areas completed in January, 2018 and in the related, open control areas without fence - over a longer period of time: 

  • Is there a possible relation between the presence of the European copper skink and their territory use with any specific flora structure (species composition or structure)? 

  • Is it advantageous to keep out larger game with the help of fences in the long run?

  • The two areas will show significant structural differences with time. Will this mean a change in the way the skinks use their territory?

  • Do the open (control) areas serve as adequate habitats for the skinks? 

  • How do the skinks use their territory in the actual condition? (the areas had been closed off for one year) 

• We won a sum of 4 million Hungarian forints in financial support to complete a film about the protection of springs, marsh areas and related habitats within the area of Bükk National Park, titled “Improvement of habitat and species conservation, presentation of nature conservation and infrastructure improvement” within KEHOP 4.1.0. The film was completed and we handed in the final version on 27 March, 2021.  

2019

• On behalf of the Bükk National Park Directorate, we carried out the task titled “Census of the White-backed Woodpecker Population in the Felsőtárkány Forestry District’s Forest Planning Area.” During this project, we created a point map of species sightings during the breeding season and focused on locating specific nests, which we successfully achieved in several cases. Based on the knowledge of the delimited territories, we provided recommendations to the BNPI regarding forest use restrictions. The zoological data collected during the survey were processed and added to the BNPI’s biotic database.
• On behalf of BioAqua Pro Services and Consulting Ltd., we contributed to the botanical tasks of the environmental impact assessment for the high-speed road connection between Debrecen and Békéscsaba and assisted in obtaining the necessary permits related to the project.
• On behalf of the BNPI, we conducted botanical research in the Eastern Bükk Conservation Area of the Bükk National Park.
• Under the KEHOP-4.1.0 program, titled “Improvement of Habitat and Species Conservation Status, Development of Nature Conservation Management and Presentation Infrastructure,” we were awarded a 4 million HUF grant to create a film for the project “Protection of Small Wetland Habitats – Springs, Spring Fens, and Related Habitats in the Bükk National Park Directorate Area.” This is a two-year project, and we have started recording its foundational elements.
• On commission from the Bükk Regional LEADER Association, we produced a film titled “Stone-carved World in the Bükk Basin – A Unique Relationship Between Nature and Humans,” in which I, as the President of the Bükk Local Group of the Hungarian Ornithological Association, also appear. Csaba Sándor played a significant role in the production, being the organizer and production manager of the film

2018

• The “Graduation 2018” programme was produced by M5 television. In the geography part about lakes they used an excerpt from our short film series, with András Kleszó speaking about water habitats. 

• The Szalakóta Association made a successful application for the Green source 2017 grant. The working title was: “A survey of 22 kV electric lines in specific areas of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and Heves counties (also in Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok county) causing the death of bird species of European interest (protected and threatened species). ”The detailed report can be downloaded from here: LETÖLTÉS Pályázati azonosító: PTKF /719/2/2017

• One of our members, Zsuzsa Kalmár, carried out a GIS analysis of grasslands in the Bükk Mountains within the EcoKarst Interreg project at the request of the BNPD. This important work included the survey and comparison of forestry records, land registers, habitat data records and their geoinformatic analysis. The data was made available to our client in digital form. The resulting data serves as a basic document for the maintenance of mountain grasslands and is also a documentation of their actual condition. 

• At the request of the BNPD we carried out a survey describing rare snail species found in the Kácsi spring. The significance of this work was the specification of the habitat and condition of the endemic river nerite (Theodoxus fluviatilis) population. Future plans on utilisation of the stream and the spring have to be made by taking the presence of these rare species and their ecological needs into consideration - this is going to serve as a basis for any work done by the authorities in the future. 

• At the request of the Kiskunság National Park Directive, within the project titled “Long-term conservation and improvement of environmental values of public interest and the implementation of strategic research in Hungary with respect to the EU 2020 Biological diversity strategy“ we took part in a sub project titled “Survey of bird species of public interest” where we managed to examine - according to the given protocol - the bird population within 12 different 2,5x2,5 km UTM quadrat areas. According to the protocol we monitored each quadrat at least three times, twice during the day and once during the night. The monitored areas can be found in Borsod and Heves counties and in the Bükk Mountains. The work resulted in compensatory data regarding the region's avifauna, territorial distribution of the species and condition of their population. It is also important reference data for the European Breeding Bird Atlas Program in progress, where the distribution, population and vulnerability of certain species is analysed by country. We also uploaded the results to the MAP programme coordinated by the Monitoring Centre of BirdLife Hungary. The research was carried out by three of our members. 

2017

• We applied for financial support connected to the Leader project  „Development of Tudomka Villages” within a Hungarian government tender for local municipalities, non-governmental organisations and associations in the Bükk region. Within the programme we were to organise an environmental and cultural festival in Cserépfalu titled “Little America festival”. The tender is currently pending. In the meantime we have signed agreements and cooperate with several local organisations and institutions.  

• At the request of the BNPD, we undertook a work titled “The registration of the white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) population in the Felsőtárkányi Forestry district”. We made a map of the sightings during breeding season - we were aiming for and partly succeeded in mapping the specific nests. With the knowledge of specific territories we were able to make suggestions to the BNPD regarding certain restrictions in forest use. The zoological research data results were processed for the biotic data basis of the BNPD. 

• At the request of BioAqua Pro Szolgáltató és Tanácsadó Kft. we undertook the task of a botanical survey for an environmental impact assessment and contributed in obtaining the proper authority permits at the motorway connecting Debrecen and Békéscsaba.

• At the request of the BNPD, we carried out botanical surveys at the Eastern Bükk Mountains Nature Reserve. 

• We won a sum of 4 million Hungarian forints in financial support to complete a film about the protection of springs, marsh areas and related habitats within the area of the Bükk National Park, titled “Improvement of  habitat and species conservation, presentation of nature conservation and infrastructure improvement” within KEHOP 4.1.0. This is a two year project and we started laying the groundwork. 

• We made a film titled “A world carved in stone at the foot of the Bükk Mountains - the unique relationship between nature and humans” ordered by the Bükk region’s LEADER organisation, where I took part as the regional director of the Bükk team of BirdLife Hungary. Csaba Sándor had an important role as the organiser and producer of the film.  

2016