The top of the Beckovské skalice site is suitable for “hilltopping” after clearing.
“Hilltopping” is a mating strategy in which insect adults seek out elevated, unvegetated sites in the landscape where their courtship flights and mating take place.
We’ve prepared suitable butterfly habitats in Beckovské skalice.
In the area of European importance Beckovské skalice we cleared the piles of rubble and rocks in the old stone quarry. The piles are made of rubble and rocks left behind after mining. Such spots – when sufficiently illuminated and covered with sparse vegetation cover and exposed substrate – are habitats not only for xerophyte butterfly species, but also for grasshoppers, spiders and Hymenoptera species.
Clearing sites in the Beckovské skalice area vol.1
Most species of butterflies, as well as other pollinators, are unable to survive for long periods in small isolated habitats that become overgrown with woody vegetation that prevents access to light.
We cleared Veľký Kopec and prepared it for grazing.
Veľký Kopec shook beneath us!
Over the weekend, we went there to work hard with volunteers, removing invasive plants and creating more space for goat grazing.
The number of ground squirrels in Slovakia rose from 28,000 to 36,000
In 2019, the ground squirrel was listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, and population curves throughout Europe show a continuing downward trend.
Despite these trends, the number of Slovak ground squirrels continues to increase after decades. Thanks to nothing else than the LIFE Sysel project.
We support biodiversity by creating wood pastures.
We have begun restoring a wood pasture in Podunajské Biskupice. Grazing by domestic animals was once a natural part of this area. However, due to the decline of grazing, the land has become largely overgrown with self-seeded trees as well as various invasive plant species. We have therefore decided to curb this overgrowth through grazing by a mixed herd of sheep and goats.
Launching the LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS Project!
“LIFE21-NAT-SK-LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS: Conservation and Return of Steppe Bird Species to the Lowlands of Slovakia” is the name of our newest LIFE project, which sets ambitious conservation goals and will help reverse the poor protection status of bird species by restoring traditional land management and grazing practices.
We are planting trees for ground squirrel
Today we planted fruit trees at the Ďurkovec sysľovisko near Tomášovský výhľad in Slovak paradise. It was a great and useful event and we thank everyone who participated. All of us are looking forward to the harvest, both for us and for the groundhogs.
Tidying up the Čiliž brook
On Saturday 19th of November, together with volunteers we have started working on tidying up the Čiliž brook. The brook flows nearby a landfill in Veľký Meder. The landfill had been closed for quite some time, however, the access was closed only recently.
Microtus minibus in Slovakia
In august, we borrowed a Microtus minibus from our Hungarian partner Pisztráng Kör. The minibus is an outdoor mobile laboratory for all ages. The van is equipped with all necessary tool to be used by all curious explorer for research of different biotopes and its residents.