The LIFE Danube Free Sky project has received the "IENE Project Award 2026", recognising its contribution to reducing bird mortality caused by power lines and fostering cooperation between nature conservation organisations and infrastructure operators. The award was presented on 24 September 2026 during the IENE 2026 International Conference in Bristol, United Kingdom. Marek Gális from Raptor Protection of Slovakia (RPS), the project coordinator, addressed the audience through an acceptance speech, expressing gratitude for the recognition and thanking all project partners for their contribution to this shared achievement.

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This year, an event celebrating Danube Day (29th of June) — dedicated to understanding and protecting the river—took place at the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration’s Visitor Center in Sulina, Romania. The young rangers-in-training celebrated not merely a waterway, but a priceless natural and cultural heritage. The dedicated activities highlighted the importance of protecting the Danube ecosystem—a vital habitat for numerous threatened plant and animal species, as well as a cradle of culture and civilization for millennia. The children channeled their creativity into nature conservation through workshops where they expressed their love for the river through drawings and symbolic messages. 

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On May 5 2026, an online monitoring visit was carried out, during which the project progress and achieved milestones have been presented to the representatives of the CINEA agency and ELMEN EEIG - ÚKE SAV institute. Subsequently, on May 7, the field visit of the project sites in Slovakia (Jakubov, SPA Záhorské Pomoravie), Austria (Pama, SPA Parndorfer Platte – Heideboden), and Hungary (Hegyeshalom, SPA Mosoni-sik) was conducted. The implemented measures on the sites were presented during the field visit: installed flight diverters, notice boards and insulated utitlity poles.  

“Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!” is a theme of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated on May 9th, highlighting the crucial role of community and citizen science in tracking and protecting migratory species. Every year, more than 1.5 bilion birds migrate through African-Eurasian flyways to nest and raise offspring. While autumn bird migration proceeds gradually, with birds moving primarily in search of food, in the spring—when birds breed—hormones take precedence over food, which is why this migration is shorter and more energy-intensive. Thanks to bird ringing and modern technology, we continously learn more about the fascinating journey of migratory birds.

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