The almost 4000 hectares of Csanádi-plains is located 50 km from the city of Szeged surrounded by municipalities of Makó, Tótkomlós, Ambrózfalva, Nagyér, Csanádpalota and Királyhegyes. The protected area was established in 1989. Although the region has a remarkable bird community, the flora is also valuable on the plain with variable geological features.
Csanádi-plains consist of 3 grassland patches which are relatively different in their geological and water characteristics: Kopáncsi-plain, Montág-plain and Királyhegyesi-plain. Kopáncs-plain is characterized by classic, dry alkali steppic grassland, while the area of „Nagy-Zsombék” in Montág-plain transforms to tight-deep meadow in wet years with an extraordinary aquatic life that deserved to be listed as Ramsar Site in 2008.
One of the most remarkable ornithological values of Csanádi-plains is the only great bustard (Otis tarda) population of the area. Strictly protected raptors: long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), saker falcon (Falco cherrug) and red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus) breed in the location as well. Additional rare raptors show up on the expanded grassland in mid-summer: wandering individuals of short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus), lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), pallid harrier (Circus macrourus) and Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus) also can be seen in this period here. Boggy spots are popular wintering grounds of short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) which has significant breeding population in the years of small mammal gradation, too.
WARNING! Királyhegyesi-plain and Nagy-Zsombék are strictly protected areas, entry allowed only with permission and guidance.