Follow the storks in Tokai

In the Tokaj Wine Region, Bodrogkeresztúr is known for its vines and for its storks. Nearly 40 stork pairs nest here each year. For locals, the birds are not just wildlife. They are part of the village identity.

One stork became a true symbol: Fülöp (Philippe). For 11 years, he stayed in the village instead of migrating south. People watched him season after season, as if he belonged to the streets and rooftops. When he died after hitting an electric cable, the village felt it deeply. His story became a turning point, and the start of a project that changed the village streets and protected the storks.

Between 2020 and 2022, the municipality and regional partners carried out an EU-funded upgrade. Dangerous overhead power lines were replaced with underground cables. Bird-friendly nesting poles were added to keep storks safer, especially young birds. At the same time, the historic main street was improved with accessible walkways, greener public spaces, rest areas, a wine promenade and viewpoints.

The project also created reasons to stop and stay. An interactive exhibition introduces stork life to visitors and school groups. A summer youth camp and the annual “Philippe Stork” running race bring families together, mixing nature, culture and local pride. 

Tourism drives this change. The village’s new spaces stay active because visitors come: people who walk the promenade, join events, and use local services help keep the story going, supporting a place where storks and village life can share the same rooftops.