The day begins at dawn with a birdwatching competition, followed by the main attraction at 7 a.m., when huge flocks of geese rise into the air all at once. Expert ornithologists will be present to help identify the species on view.

Later in the morning, world-renowned Hungarian wildlife photographer Bence Máté will give a talk on creating wildlife-friendly gardens, and the 2025 Bird Photographer of the Year winners will be announced.

Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy guided walks, bird and animal shows, games, craft activities, and a chance to spot woodpeckers and other native species.

This year’s festival also has an international focus, as Tata hosts the 4th roundtable meeting of mayors from cities participating in the Ramsar Convention — the global treaty on wetland conservation. Representatives from Iran, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, and Belgium are expected to attend.

In the late afternoon, around 4 p.m., the returning geese create another memorable moment as they descend in large V-shaped formations over the lake. Visitors can follow their flight using binoculars and large-screen displays, accompanied by live expert commentary.

At the festival fair, local artisans, farmers, and folk artists will offer handmade goods, alongside books, paintings, and nature conservation items.

Old Lake, protected under the Ramsar Convention, is unique in Europe as it is a bird sanctuary almost entirely surrounded by a town. By late November, it usually hosts 40,000–50,000 birds, mainly greater white-fronted and greylag geese, with occasional sightings of globally endangered species. Many migrate from as far as 6,000 kilometres away, from northern Scandinavia and Siberia, as the weather turns cold there.

However, the organizers recently voiced concern on social media about falling water levels in the lake. They warned that the depth — currently below minus 80 centimetres, and expected to drop to minus 90 cm — may no longer meet the minimum optimal level for geese and other waterfowl.

“This depth already threatens the wild geese’s stay, and many species are being forced to leave,” they wrote. “We hope new flocks will arrive to replace them so visitors can still witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon.”

They added that they had hoped nature conservation would take precedence over economic considerations for a few weeks during this special anniversary year.

Despite these challenges, preparations for the festival continue, and organizers have installed a live webcam system that allows people to observe the lake’s wildlife remotely, 24 hours a day.

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