When we say “endemic plant,” most people think of species like Daphne arbuscula, Onosma tornensis, or the Slovak pasqueflower (Pulsatilla slavica). Only few, however, know the Moravian ragwort (Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica). Yet this is an extremely rare member of the aster family that blooms only at the turn of May and June, on just…
During their traditional migratory stopover, a flock of black-tailed godwits landed at the Ostrovik meadow in the SPA Senianske rybníky.
The European roller is the flagship species for nature conservation in Slovakia’s steppes—rare cultural landscape habitats whose fate lies in human hands. The future of this species and others like it depends on the actions of farmers, conservationists, and policymakers.
One of the main measures of the project will be the restoration of wetlands by creating 3 new water areas on the Slovak side and restoring 2 earth-filled cut-off river channels on the Hungarian side. These will provide suitable habitats for the European pond turtle and at the same time promote better water retention in the landscape during dry periods.
Currently, 70 new nest boxes are being installed on power line poles in the SPA Medzibodrožie area. The European roller didn’t nest in Slovakia for a full decade after 2010.
The reintroduction of the protected species Pseudophilotes bavius and Phengaris teleius began in the Romanian project sites in 2023. In the following season, several individuals of Ph. teleius were observed in sites near Angofa, thus the reintroduction effort for this species can be considered successful.
Last weekend, SOS/BirdLife Slovakia organized the 21st volunteer camp to mow Bird Island in the SPA Dunajské luhy. Despite the heat and hard work, 45 participants mowed and raked nearly the entire island.
The roller has appeared in western Slovakia—this time near Bratislava. This increases the chances of its return as a breeding species in the region. This is clear proof that our conservation activities, including those under LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS, are working.
Among the countries where the European roller went extinct, only Slovakia has successfully brought it back. The LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS project plays a vital role in this story.
A European roller was seen hunting above a biostrip near Šoporňa. The sighting during the breeding season shows there’s hope it could return as a nesting species—if we help with targeted conservation measures.