The Medieval Fortress of Targu Mures hosts, starting today, an interactive information panel, created under the project 'A friendly city with nature' that reveals the secrets of the birds that make their nests in the old trees in the county seat and to present the beauty of the wild urban life.

Thanks to the project carried out by the Milvus Group, visitors can find out unique details and images of the birds that depend on these venerable trees, including the species of woodpeckers and how they prepare their home, for themselves and for other birds, in the bark of the trees.

'In 2024 we participated in the Swimathon event, organised by the Mures Community Foundation, in which we presented the project 'A nature-friendly city'. We had a very good team that swam for this noble purpose and an ambassador who lobbied for this project. The community considered it an important project; it supported us financially and from our earnings we made this information panel that we placed today in the courtyard of the Medieval Fortress. From now on, anyone who visits the fortress will be able to see what information is found there. Our desire is to place such panels, to inform the population, to bring a little play, because it is an interactive panel,' Milvus Group communication officer Zsuzsanna Fekete told the press.

The panel highlights how essential old hollow trees are and explains not only which birds find refuge here, but also how we can support them in the absence of these trees by creating friendly alternatives.

'The panel was born from our desire to inform the public, the local community, visitors to the fortress about the importance of nature protection in the urban environment as well, because many people live with the impression that nature should be protected only in the woods. But we also have nature in the city that we must protect and take care of, such as hollow and old trees, which do not necessarily have to be cut down as soon as they become old. Because hollow and old trees are also of great importance. The older it is, the more hollow it is, the more species depend on it. Displayed on the panel are the most common species that we can see in the city, not all species. Many creatures depend extraordinarily on a tree, from insects to birds, mammals very, very many species, from a squirrel, to a pigeon, a woodpecker, even species of owls. Our sparrows, which already have serious problems, because the sparrow population is already in decline in Europe. There are species that we can see every day in the urban environment and they are in decline. The first are swallows, because due to the use of pesticides in intensive agriculture they no longer have food and their population is in decline,' according to Milvus Group representative Judith Papp.

The interactive part of the panel surprises with a detailed look into the hollows and offers the chance to experience the ingenuity of woodpeckers in creating their own living spaces, which is an open invitation to explore and protect nature right in the heart of the city.

'There are already major problems at European level, and our panel wants to draw attention to those common species that are in the city. We can see them and help them, either with a nest or artificial hollow, or in winter with a feeder. There is also a QR code on this panel that leads to our page, from where you can read a much larger article about methods of help that we, humans, can give. For example, being winter, we can help them with a feeder,' said Judith Papp.

The interactive panel is located near the Archaeology and History Section of the Mures County Museum, and by scanning the QR code, the visitor can find out how the presence of a rich flora and fauna in the city brings multiple benefits, not just aesthetic.

'Green spaces contribute to cleaner air and climate regulation, thus improving the quality of life in the urban environment and having a positive impact on the mental health of the inhabitants. This is largely influenced by the quantity and quality of green spaces and the number of animal species we observe,' said Milvus Group specialists.

Targu Mures City Hall responsible for the Citadel Barabasi Attila Csaba, showed that this information panel about the natural treasures in the city is a real exhibition for the thousands of children and parents who come here.

'Let me congratulate my colleagues from Milvus for their initiative and say that they have chosen the perfect location. Thousands of children and parents come to the Citadel and we hope to continue the project. And I was surprised when I saw how attractive the city is, not only to children, but also to adults. The fortress is also visited by schools in the county and in other counties and I think we are the first to start with this beneficial thing. I'm a photographer and I like to photograph nature. To me, it was really a joy when I received this panel. It is worth coming here to visit and try this unique way in which they exhibited this panel, because this is also an exhibition about the birds that we have in the fortress as well,' said the official.

At the same time, by accessing the QR code on the panel one can learn about the importance of old and hollow trees in inhabited areas, about how hollows are formed, what birds nest in it and how people can contribute to their well-being.

'Old and hollow trees, both in the forest and in inhabited areas, should be kept for as long as possible and should not be underestimated and removed immediately, as they provide shelter, nesting places and food for many species. The more rotten a tree is, the more species we find that depend on it for survival. Hollows, i.e. gaps in tree trunks, are important for many species of animals: they provide nesting places for animals that raise their young there and shelter for species that rest or spend the winter here with their accumulated supplies. Hollows can be the result of natural decomposition processes or can be created by animal species, such as woodpeckers. Woodpecker species contribute to the creation of hollows, thus providing shelter for other species that cannot build their own homes. This is crucial for the survival and diversity of wildlife,' says the Milvus Group.

The empty hollows, even in the cities, can house many species of birds, just as they are exhibited on the panel in the Citadel, such as the tit, the sparrow, the flycatcher, the redstart, the nuthatch, the starling, the jackdaw, and the tawny owl.

Among the mammals found in the old trees of Târgu Mures there are various species of bats, dormice and squirrels.

'Let us cherish and protect the old, partially rotten and hollow trees, because they provide a place to live for many species. Instead of being removed quickly, these trees should be kept as long as they do not pose a danger to passers-by. If we have such a tree in our garden, it is recommended not to cut it, but to appreciate it. In cities and in many forests, there are not enough old and hollow trees, and to help the animals that depend on these trees, artificial hollows can be built and placed. In spring, birds use the hollows for nesting - for laying eggs, hatching and raising chicks - and in winter they can use them as shelter for the night. For this reason, we suggest installing artificial nests in autumn, thus offering them a refuge during cold nights. Many of the sedentary birds in our area, which do not migrate, look for their nesting hollows, and in spring they will prefer the already familiar places. Also, you have a good chance of attracting a new 'neighbour' in the garden if you place the house at the beginning of spring,' the ornithologists from Milvus also urge.

Established 35 years ago, the Milvus Group Association has dedicated itself to the study and protection of birds and nature. Five years ago, the association developed an application for mobile devices that help identify birds encountered during walks in nature just by entering a few search elements, such as appearance, habitat and plumage. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Dorina Matis; EN - writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)