The Hortobágy, which is one of the most extended coherent nature close open habitats of Europe is an important part of the migration route of the Cranes nesting in Finland, the Baltic states and Russia. The migrating birds – after having a short break in the Hortobágy – fly towards to North Africa. Interestingly many of the Cranes arrived from Siberia: they made a quite long loop on their way to Africa. This year is an exceptional one with an exceptionally high number of cranes, their estimated number is 160 000.
Opposite to their migration in spring (when the Cranes just fly over the grasslands and wetlands of the Hortobágy) they spend a longer time here in this part of the year. The reason is that whilst in springtime the Cranes primarily focus on reaching the nesting areas as soon as possible, in autumn they have more time for migration. They spend their time in the Hortobágy for increasing their (and their youngsters’) fitness by relaxing a bit and feeding. They spend the nights in the wetlands (generally in the numerous shallow fishponds), and during the daytime they are feeding at the neighbouring arable lands and grasslands. The most scenic part of their daily routine is just before sunset, when they compose huge groups and fly back together to the wetlands for having a night rest.
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| Feeding in the grasslands of Nyírőlapos-puszta |
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