Csikós 'cowboys' in Hortobágy National Park, Hungary



Containing the largest continuous native grassland in Europe, Hortobágy National Park’s ancient marshlands and alkaline plains attract a variety of wildlife, but are a particularly beneficial habitat for birds. 10,000 hectares of the National Park were designated as Hortobágy Starry Sky Park after being retrofitted with improved lighting, designed to minimise negative impact to the avian population. As a secondary benefit, the darker skies can now be enjoyed through a program of night-time walks and there is even an observatory in the pipeline.