The education of children is also very important for our association. Here is a short report from Torda Benedek, an 11-year-old young birdwatcher, in which he shares his experiences and lessons learned at the eagle census organised in January this year.
At the end of January in 2026, a survey regarding the wintering sites of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) was carried out in the Heves-plain again. A minimum of 709 individuals were identified at 24 sites across 19 municipalities, representing an outstanding number compared to previous years.
A total of 1068 birds of prey were recorded during the 2026 winter bird of prey census in the southern Heves area. The most common species was the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) with 778 individuals. 133 individuals of the highly protected Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) were also observed.
Southern Heves is like a mosaic. Most of the picture is made up of monochrome patches of farmland, but its real value lies in the many tiny, shimmering fragments - the patches of salt marsh, bogs and clumps of trees - without which the "shapes" of red-footed falcons and rollers would disappear from the picture.
We can often become attached to simple things that have no meaning for others. And if we look closely, behind the simplicity and modesty of these things, some values and specialities eventually attract the attention of those around us.
Our work rests on three main pillars: active nature conservation, research, and educating future generations.