Breathtaking Photos of Autumn Crane Migration
Record Numbers of Cranes Migrating Through Hungary Counted in Hortobágy Puszta
As autumn set in, the migration of cranes to their wintering grounds began in September, with even more birds passing through Hungary by October. The cranes typically spend several months in the Hortobágy Puszta, a World Heritage Site and cultural landscape in eastern Hungary.
The Hortobágy National Park’s Department of Nature Conservation has been monitoring the number of cranes in the area on a weekly basis. The latest measurements reveal a record-breaking count of 135,680 cranes in the first week of October this year.
Experts speculate that the surge in crane numbers could be attributed to a successful nesting season, a shift in migration patterns compared to previous years, or changes in population dynamics along migration routes.
The grasslands, fishponds, and wetlands of Hortobágy are renowned as one of the most densely populated terrestrial resting sites for migratory species in Europe. It is estimated that 95% of cranes migrating through Hungary pass through Hortobágy and spend a significant amount of time there.
Cranes, native to forested, steppe, and wetland regions of Eurasia, migrate to northern Africa and southern Asia for the winter. The narrowing of foraging grounds rather than temperature drop initiates their migratory season.
As the colder months approach, thousands of cranes are expected to flock to the Hortobágy National Park. Birdwatching tours in the area offer a unique opportunity to witness this remarkable natural phenomenon.
The presence of these magnificent birds in such large numbers highlights the importance of preserving habitats like Hortobágy Puszta to ensure the conservation of migratory species.
