Elimination of paddyfield banks and channels, removal of sluices, and, as a result, recreation of temporary waters in the saline puszta.
In 2003, 75 kilometres of channels and banks were eliminated and 296 sluices were removed from the project area. In 2004 and 2005 further 23 kilometres of channels were filled up. As a result of these activities in 2004 about 140 hectares and in 2005 about 170 hectares of seasonal waterbodies were formed on the saline puszta.

Left picture: The former drainage channel on the puszta prior to the project works
Right picture: Filled up drainage channel on the puszta after the project works


Left picture: An unused paddy-field channel with a concrete culvert
Right picture: Concrete water control structures removed from the puszta (sluices, culverts, bridges)


Left picture: A natural seasonal waterbody formed at the project site in spring 2004
Right picture: A natural seasonal waterbody formed at the project site in spring 2005


Left picture: A natural seasonal waterbody formed at the project site in spring 2005
Right picture: A natural seasonal waterbody formed at the project site in spring 2005
The removal of neophyte bushes and scrub from the puszta > The recreation of the landscape values of Hortobágy
Within the framework of the project over 4,000 invasive trees, bushes and scrub were removed between 2003 and 2005.

Left picture: Degraded puszta habitat with invasive trees and bushes
Right picture: Introduced trees and shrubs growing on an unused paddy field bank

Left picture: Introduced trees and shrubs growing on an unused paddy field bank
Right picture: Alien species of woody growth removed from the puszta

Left picture: Alien species of woody growth removed from the puszta
Right picture: A historic landscape, the treeless Hortobágy steppe
The recreation of a 210 hectare wetland habitat > The creation of a grazing lake for the disappearing bird societies.
With the construction of a single low levee at the bottom of a natural depression we created a nearly 210 hectare large wetland in the project area in 2003. This wetland was enclosed with an electric fence and an ecologically sustainable high level of grazing was carried out in 2004 and 2005. Thus a grazed wetland was formed which is a fast disappearing habitat type both in the Hortobágy National Park and in Europe.

Left picture: Construction of a low levee with the purpose of wetland creation
Right picture: The setting up of a flooding water control structure

Left picture: Bird's-eye view of the wetland habitat in the spring of 2004
Right picture: Grazing Racka Sheep herd at the edge of the wetland

Kép: Wetland habitat managed by grazing mangalica pigs. The created muddy area is the prime habitat for the Nanocyperion plant association and for shorebirds
The increase of livestock population > reaching the required level of grazing
Between 2002 and 2006 the number of livestock grazing in the project area is expected to increase by a total of 1,040 individuals .

Left picture: Traditional Racka sheep herd at the project site
Right picture: Traditional Hungarian Flecked Cattles at the project site


Left picture: Great Grey Cattle young bull at the project site
Right picture: Grazing horses at the project site


Left picture: Grazing water buffalo at the project site
Right picture: Mangalica pigs mud-bathing at the project site


Left picture:Grazing goats at the project site
Right picture: Donkeys at the project site
The renovation of shelters and buildings, the creation of conditions necessary for animal keeping > the preservation of the required high level of grazing
In 2003 the entire renovation of the Andrástelki shelter was carried out which ensures proper keeping of Great Grey Cattle at the project site throughout the year. The remains of the old goose shelters and debris were removed and new, landscape-friendly wintering shelters were built. We have also rebuilt one of the former unique three-cantilever wells in Hortobágy which is the only one of its kind at the moment. Also a new thatched entrance gate was raised at the entrance of the project site.

Left picture: The Andrástelki shelter prior to the renovation in spring 2003
Right picture: The Andrástelki shelter during the renovation works in summer 2003


Left picture: The Andrástelki shelter following the renovation in autumn 2003
Right picture: Unused channel with goose shelter debris prior to the project works in spring 2003


Left picture: Remains of a deteriorated, unused goose shelter
Right picture: The construction of a traditional shelter at the project site


Left picture: The unique, newly-built three-cantilever well at the project site in autumn 2003
Right picture: The new theatched entrance gate
Continuous monitoring work and the presentation and dissemination of results > Testing the success of the project
Popularization of LIFE activities and the dissemination of results for the public is continuous and more than 10 000 people has visited the Nagy-Vókonya project site between 2003 and 2005. Also the mapping and monitoring of ornithological, entomological and botanical changes is continuous since 2003.

Left picture: The project manager Zoltán Ecsedi giving a lecture about Life activities and the Nagy-Vókonya project
Right picture: Lecture table about the project


Left picture: Visitors at the II. Bio cooking competion at the project site
Right picture: The rare Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a regular bird at the wetlands of Nagy-Vókonya


Left picture: The Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) has started to breed in the project site in 2004
Right picture: Dragonflys are good indicators of the wetland quality (Aeshna mixta)


Left picture: The monitoring of the plants and plant associations are very important
Right picture: Field works at the project site in 2004