On the first day of our conservation summer camp, we met our enthusiastic and curious campers, with whom we set off the next day to explore the surrounding habitat and local wildlife, as we wrote in detail about our initial camp experience in a previous post.

The next day of the camp was called "barkóscinege adventure" after the bird of the year, as the whole day was dedicated to the local bird species. After an early wake-up call, we went to the Sumony Bird Migration Research Station, where we learned a lot of interesting information about the different songbirds captured in the nets from Zoltan Lukács during a bird ringing organised by the Baranya County Group of the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society from 7 am, Then, equipped with our binoculars and record books, we went on a short hike around the surrounding fish ponds to admire some of the larger species. After a 5:30am wake-up call and a really quiet break after lunch, the heat was on and the kids had the main role. After a playful introduction to bird singing, our campers worked in teams to create an imaginative presentation of a bird species of their choice, resulting in colourful posters that gave us a closer look at the white stork and the pheasant. Meanwhile, of course, we were also busy, using the wealth of new information we had learnt throughout the day to prepare a quiz for the children, answering questions such as what the nightingale is named after, why the nightingale sings at midnight, or which is the most common songbird in Northern Europe.

On Wednesday morning we covered hunting topics again, after a morning of stretching together we were welcomed by Gábor Agyaki at the Martonfai Hunting and Youth Centre. After a visit to the permanent exhibition, our hosts gave a hunting horn demonstration, and then everyone could try their hand (lungs and mouth) at an instrument and, after a little guidance and encouragement, blow hard on the hunting horn. With several promising tunes ringing out in the din, all the brave and enthusiastic participants were left with a sense of achievement as they moved on to the next programme, which introduced them to some of the hunting dog breeds used in domestic hunting practice. In a good-humoured presentation, we were able to learn about the results of good training, including the example of the Airedale Terrier Kalos. After a big ice-cream sundae at the end of the programme, we headed home, where a delicious lunch awaited us.

In the afternoon, we took part in the Boki-Duna fishing demonstration in the Danube-Drava National Park, where we learned about the characteristics and history of the habitat from Zoltán Omacht, a conservation guard, the relationship and coexistence of people with the Danube, the interesting aspects of the Danube fishery and various fishing gear. At the end of the programme, we returned to our accommodation in Békáspuszta after a delicious fish soup.

It's been a long and eventful day, but luckily it's far from over, and tomorrow we'll be able to explore the wetlands up close.