An ornithological sketch of the valley in By A. Mrugasiewic^ and J. WitkowsM Zoological Institute, University of Wroclaw (Plates 50-57) INTRODUCTION THE BARYCZ VALLEY, in western Poland, has long been famous for its birds. It is one of the few places in central Europe where such rare species as White-tailed Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Kite, Grey Lag Goose, Crane, Black Stork, Purple Heron* and others are con­ centrated in a relatively small area, and, equally important, it forms a reserve of major importance for nesting and passage duck of many kinds. The Barycz, a tributary of the in the northern part of Lower , is a small lowland river, some 100 miles (162 km.) long; its fall is insignificant, amounting to no more than 12.5 inches per mile (22 cm. per km.) in its middle and lower reaches. It has many tribu­ taries, rills and rivulets in a large fluvo-glacial valley. The valley itself is bounded by the on the south, while in the north it passes gradually into the Wielkopolsko-Kujawska plain. It is widest, up to 16 miles (25 km.), in the district. In the glacial period a great river flowed here in front of a thawing glacier. Since the beginning of the 14th century, the area has been noted as a centre for the large-scale production of Carp (Cyprinus carpio). The flat, gently sloping terrain enabled large areas to be covered with artificial ponds at small cost for the breeding of fish. In the Middle Ages, this was carried on by monks, mainly Cistercians, and by the middle of the 17th century the total area of the ponds had reached 20,863 acres (8,443 hectares), but later a number were drained and converted into agricultural land, the mud providing a fertile sediment some 16 inches (40 cm.) thick. The present area of the fish ponds is 16,113 acres (6,521 hectares) and the production of Carp in recent years has varied between 1,237 aQd *>386 tons (between 1,258 and 1,408 metric tons). Since the war, a valuable series of national parks and nature reserves has been built up in Poland, and a considerable area in the Barycz valley has been designated as a bird reserve (the "Wood- and-Pond" Reserve), with shooting under rigorous control. This has led to the nesting of a number of rare species, in some cases after an interval of many years, and increases in the breeding populations of 'Scientific names are all given in Appendices A and B on pages 268-272, as well as in the tables.

245 ZMIGROD DALE FIG. I . Map of the Barycz valley, Poland, the boundaries coinciding with those of the former administrative district of Milicz and the groups of ponds being indicated by numbers: i Radzia_dz, 2 Ruda Sulowska, 3 Milicz, 4 Krosnice and 5 Potasznia (see page 249) (drawn by Robert Gillmor from a sketch by the authors) 246 MILICZ DALE

boundary of area woods rivers, canals, etc. narrow-gauge railway main roads ponds other important roads

247 BRITISH BIRDS others, despite the fact that this fertile valley has a not inconsiderable human population. The area has long been of interest to ornithologists, both Polish and German. It was first "discovered" ornithologically and described by Floericke (1891). Among pre-war observers, three deserve particular mention, F. Pampel, F. Pax and A. Schlott. Pampel (1922) listed as many as 172 species of birds in the Barycz valley. After the war, Szarski (1950) was the first to publish a list of the region; it included 130 species, of which 118 were breeding. In our own observations during the years 1954-61 we have identified 215 species; of these, 161 have nested and five others probably do so.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TERRAIN The area covered by our investigations consists mainly of ponds, woods and meadows in the district of Milicz, situated in a region which was formerly inundated and traversed by numerous arms of the river. The present woods are remnants of a vast swampy forest which surrounded the Barycz some centuries ago. Trie river now flows in a single bed; the former river arms and inundated land have in the course of centuries been transformed into the ponds where the Carp breed, and the swamp}' areas have been drained and turned to woods and meadows. The common feature of the three types of habitat is that they are interconnected by the former river beds. Most of these are now dry, but they are still quite conspicuous. The area covered by our study is a strip of land varying in width from about six to sixteen miles (10-25 km.) situated on both sides of the Barycz between two towns, Zmigrod in the west and Bartniki in the east (Fig. 1). The reserve occupies 60% of the strip. This tract of land, however transformed by man, has always been a favourite nesting haunt of many birds, especially aquatic species, and during migration periods it serves as an inland oasis for migrants which can rest and feed there. In this section of the Barycz valley there are two smaller valleys where large groups of ponds are concentrated—the valley of Milicz, approximately 330-360 feet above sea level, in the east, and the valley of Zmigrod in the west. In the vicinity of SUIQW these two valleys are separated by a ridge 426 feet (130 m.) above sea level, the main valley narrowing here to a mile (about 1.6 km.). The largest group of ponds is found in the Milicz valley. The environments are of two kinds. In the Zmigrod valley, and also in the southern part of the Milicz valley, the ponds are enclosed by extensive swampy meadows and deciduous woods, while in the remaining part of the Milicz valley they are surrounded by dry meadows and fields. Accordingly, there are certain differences in the bird popu- 248 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY lation, the most outstanding being that on the ponds situated within woods. These have fewer geese and grebes, but some Passerines and bird of prey occur in large numbers. Moreover, a more marked species differentiation of the bird population can be seen there.

Ponds The ponds are concentrated in four big groups which correspond to the administrative divisions of the fishing farms: (a) Radziadz in the west and south-west of the Milicz district; (b) Ruda Sulowska in the central part; (c) Milicz and Potasznia in the north-east; and (d) Kros- nice in the south-east (Fig. i). Most of them are drained each autumn so that the Carp may be caught and they are filled again between February and April. In each of the four groups, however, there are some ponds stocked with fry; these are filled with water all the year round. The sizes of the ponds vary greatly from no more than a dozen acres to several hundred acres or even larger. The largest pond in the Radziadz group, "Stary" ("The Old One"), has an area of about 1,040 acres (420 hectares). However, they are not deep. The most shallow, those in which fry are kept, are only twenty inches (some 50 cm.); and, though parts of the so-called "productive" ponds may be as much as seventy inches (about 180 cm.), they also have many shallow places where the water is barely more than 15 inches (about 40 cm.). In such places there is luxuriant water vegetation. AH ponds have a net of bed ditches as well as fisheries, i.e. places where fish resort when the ponds are being drained; the fisheries reach a depth of 10-13 feet (about 3-4 m.). The ponds may be divided into two distinct categories. In the first - (Fig. 2a), the emergent hydrophytes are markedly differentiated. The section adjoining the water's edge consists of woods, deciduous or mixed; these pass into thickets of alder [Alnus) and osier (Salix), and then, as the water becomes deeper, there are sedges (Carex) and reeds (Phragmites communis). In addition, there are islets of reed scattered all over the water surface and along the bed trenches. In the second category (Fig. 2b) the emergent hydrophytes, chiefly reeds, make up about 50% of the whole area. These form an edge zone, which is mainly narrow though its tongues may reach far into the pond, and there are also reed islets of varying size. On some ponds of this type are found marshy meadows which extend from the banks into the water, gradually passing into sedges growing in tufts and then into the zone of reeds. Ponds of this kind make up two-thirds of the Milicz water area. Apart from these two types, one can distinguish sections of ponds which owe their origin to the building up of new, higher dykes and 249 BRITISH BIRDS

FIG. 2. Diagrammatic sketches of the two main types of ponds in the Barycz valley, Poland. In the first (a), there are deciduous and mixed woods adjoining the water's edge; these pass into thickets of alder and osier and thence into sedges and reeds. In the second (b), the water plants make up half the whole area, with tongues reaching into the pond and reed islets of varying size; there are often also marshy meadows extending from the banks into the water, gradually passing into sedges and then the edge zone of reeds. For a fuller explanation see page 249

250 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY the consequent rise in the water level. In this way some areas of wood­ land, chiefly alder, were flooded and the trees died out ,in places where the water was deep. Thus a new kind or, more precisely, a distinct section of the pond has resulted, in which flooded wood has been substituted for the edge zone of reeds. A typical example of flooded wood is the northern part of the pond "Jeleni III" in Radzia_dz. Sometimes islands raised above the water surface are found in the ponds. These are covered mainly by alders; birches (Betula), aspen (Populus tremula) and oaks (Ouenus) grow in drier places; sedges, rushes (Juncus) and, in higher places, brambles {Rubus) form the thicket. The edges of the ponds, as well as the dykes, abound in deciduous trees, and not infrequently in hazels (Cory/us avelland), brambles, and so on. Oaks, including some several hundred years old, prevail on the old dykes, while alders, birches, willows (Salix) and oaks grow on those which have been in existence less than a hundred years.

Meadows* The largest area of meadows is found in the Zmigrod valley, both along the river Barycz and by its numerous small tributaries, and also in the east along the right bank of the Barycz between Milicz and Bartniki. Considerable portions of the meadows are flooded in March by the rise of the water in the Barycz, which turns them for a short time into areas of shallow water. Woods* Marshy and damp woods are situated in the 2migr6d valley between the meadows and ponds in the vicinity of the Barycz, and also in the southern part of the Milicz valley. These are predominantly deciduous woods, often of a "moor-wood" type (see page 255). Their present high water level is due to the ruin of the drainage system during the war and the years immediately after. Though in recent years proper control of the water system has been resumed, such woods are hardly accessible in spring (especially from February to April). The total area of these marshy woods is about 5,000 acres (some 2,000 hectares). In the Milicz valley there are mainly dry forests situated predominantly on the right bank of the Barycz.

BIRD POPULATIONS OF PARTICULAR HABITATS Each habitat has its characteristic bird population and these are discussed separately below. Avifauna of the ponds The edge zones of reed and sedge, as well as the fringes of the reed * A more detailed discussion of meadows and woody habitats is found on pages 254-258.

251 BRITISH BIRDS islets which are scattered all over the open water, are breeding sites of Coots and Great Reed and Reed Warblers. These three species make up about 90% of the bird population of these parts of the ponds. The edges of reed islets are also frequently used for nesting by Grey Lag Geese (plate 54b), while the interiors are inhabited by Marsh Harriers and Bitterns and more rarely by Grey Lag Geese, Ferruginous Ducks and Pochards. If the reeds are sparse and there are tufts of sedge among them because the water is rather shallow (below ten inches), then such species as Pochard, Ferruginous Duck (plate 51a) and Water Rail are predominant. The narrow stretches of reeds along the bed trenches are favourite dwelling-places of Great Reed Warblers as well as of Reed Warblers. Where the bottom of the pond practically reaches the water surface, or even emerges from it, one finds all the three diving ducks that nest in the Barycz valley, i.e. Pochard, Ferruginous and Tufted. At times they breed so close together that eggs of different species are found in the same nest. We once found three nests, two of Tufted and one of Pochard, in an area not larger than five square yards. Nests of the Grey Lag Goose and Mallard may also occur in these places. Shallower areas covered with tufts of compact sedge also provide homes for the three diving ducks, and Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings are common there. The colonies of Black-headed Gulls and Black-necked Grebes are usually in this habitat. It is worth noting that in the Barycz valley the Black-necked Grebe always nests with Black-headed Gulls (plate 5 3a). The Great Crested Grebe breeds on small reed-enclosed stretches of water; the Red-necked Grebe (plate 51b), on the other hand, prefers places where sedges pass into reed thicket or give way to open water. In flooded woods the Mallard is predominant, breeding inside rotten tree trunks or in tufts of sedge growing under the trees. As many as 193 nests of this species were discovered in 130 acres (about 60 hec­ tares) of flooded woodland. Such areas are also nesting-sites of Grey Lag Geese (plate 53b), Pochards, Ferruginous Ducks, Little Grebes and Coots, the last building in dry osier bushes. Nests of the Penduline Tit (plate 54a) are found on the branches of dying alders. Dying trees also attract such hole-nesting and cavity-nesting birds as Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and Spotted Flycatchers. Reeds growing in deeper water are cut down early in May. . The cut reeds drift to form floating rafts along the shores or the edges of islets, and these are favourite nesting-sites for Black-headed Gulls, Black-necked Grebes and Common Terns. A distribution of the various nesting species found on the ponds is shown in Table 1. 252 CO Table i—Ecological distribution of nesting £ ten So Ja u 8 species on ponds in the Barycz valley, Poland 8 „ 1 1.9 a E 8 c-Sc c S, 8 G -o * _, •« o S •- B breeding in very large numbers or in colonies b breeding in large numbers b breeding regularly but sparsely mS ^sS.s co « E £ > ^ & Q 0 Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - b _ _ b b - - - - Red-necked Grebe {Podiceps griseigena) - - - b b b - - - - Black-necked Grebe {Podiceps nigricollis) - - - B B - - - - B Little Grebe (Podiceps ruficollis) b - - b - b - - - b Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) - * - - - b - - - - Mallard {Anas platyrbynchos) - - b b - B * b b - Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) - b - b - - b - - - Pochard (Aythya ferina) - b - b - b b - - - Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) b b - b - b b - - - Grey Lag Goose (Anser anser) - b - - - b b b - - Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosas) b

iiz ------Water Rail (Kallus aquaticus) b b * - - b - - - - Spotted Crake (Por^ana por^ana) b ------Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) b ------Coot (Fu/ica atra) b b - - b b b - - - Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) - - - B B - - - - B Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) ------b Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) b - - - - -• - b b - Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) - - - - - b - - b - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) - - - - - b - - - - Hooded. Crow (Corvus cor one cornix) - - - - - b - b b - Penduline Tit (Remits pendulinus) - - - - - b - b b - Savi's Warbler (hocustella luscinioides) b * ------Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) B b - - - - b - - - Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) b b - - - - b - - - Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) b - * - - - - - '- - Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) - - - - - b - - b - Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) - - - - - b - b b - Yellowhammer (Emberi%a citrinella) ------b b - Reed Bunting (Emberisp schoenklus) b - b b - - - - * - BRITISH BIRDS Avifauna of meadows The meadows of the Barycz valley may be divided into dry, damp and marshy, according to the water-level. We can also distinguish meadows enclosed in woods from those situated in the open, i.e. among fields and ponds. The bird population of any meadow largely depends on its water- supply: the damper the meadow, the richer its avifauna, as is shown in Table 2.

Table 2—Distribution of nesting species in meadows in the Barycz valley, Poland, grouped according to degree of wetness b breeding regularly in large numbers b breeding regularly but sparsely {b) breeding in only a few places Meadows out in Meadows enclosed the open by woods dry damp marshy dry damp marshy

Garganey {Anas querqueduld) _ b b Lapwing {Vanellus vanellus) b b b Snipe {Gallinago gallinago) - - b Curlew (Numenius arquata) (*) (b) - Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) - b b Redshank {Tringa totanus) - - b Skylark (Alauda arvensis) b - - Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) b b - Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia) - b b Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) -— -— bb - - b Meadow Pipit {Anthus pratensis) b b b b b b Blue-headed Wagtail {Motacilla /lava) b b - Corn Bunting {Emberi^a calandra) b b - Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) - - b

Avifauna of woods The woods of the Barycz valley differ from the typical woods of the Polish plains only in that they are situated in the vicinity of water and marshland, but for this reason they attract such rare birds as Black Kites, White-tailed Eagles, Black Storks (plate 50b) and Cranes (plate 5 oa). The relative water-supply of these woods is the most important factor in the constitution of their avifauna and we may divide them into the dry and the damp. The age and species of the trees are a second important factor. The following are reckoned as dry woods and occur in the higher, sandy areas: (1) Pine (Pinus sihestris) woods; these are of uniform age and con­ sist of trees some 30 years old. Undergrowth is lacking; the forest floor is covered with bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and heather (Calluna), less frequently by small shrubs.

254 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYC2 VALLEY (z) Coniferous coppices, i.e. young woods of a single species of conifer from six to 30 years old. (3) Gearings, glades and wood-edges; these areas are dominated by a dense and high grass, patches of raspberry and bramble (Rtibus), young birches (Betida) and so on, or by young (less than five years old) copses planted in clearings and sandy wastes. Damp, marshy or swampy woods are found in the lower-lying areas where the soil is richer, i.e. in the ancient basin of the Barycz and its tributaries. It is rather difficult to isolate any clear-cut habitats in these woods, since one type gradually passes into another. So we shall limit our discussion to a general description of certain habitats and their most typical characteristics. In this way we hope to avoid intricate subdivision into smaller woody areas which do not distinctly differ from one another in so far as the birds are concerned. Among major habitats one should include: (1) Large areas of beech (Fagns silmtkd) woods covering the Hills; south of Milicz and in the Zmigrod valley they reach as far as the Barycz valley. Ancient beeches over a hundred years old, with pines interspersed in places, dominate these woods. As a rule there is no undergrowth, and sparse grass and some herbaceous vegetation form the forest floor. (2) Multi-species deciduous and mixed woods in marshy places dotted with small ponds which rarely dry up even by the end of the summer. In this type of wood there is great variety in the age and species of trees. Besides oaks and pines some eighty years old there are birch, alder, beech, ash (Fraxinus excelsior), fir (Picea excelsa) and others. The same species also form the undergrowth and so the tier of tree-crowns ranges from the highest tops down to about seven feet (two metres) above the ground. The vegetation of the forest floor is generally very poor: there are few herbaceous plants and the grass is abundant only in places which are fairly well lighted. Such woods have a very diversified avifauna. (3) Alder (Alms) woods grow in patches in the lowest and therefore wettest parts. Usually these are the ancient river basins lying near the present bed of the Barycz. If the wood borders on trie meadows, then a typical "moor-wood" often results. This is a wood of alders with an undergrowth of sedge, and the trees may occur singly or in groups on islets emerging out of the water. The very existence of the undergrowth and the constitution of the forest floor vegetation depend on the height of the water level and the extent to which it falls during the spring and summer. The extreme cases involve two kinds of the alder wood. In the first, the water stays practically all

255

BRITISH BIRDS

s s area p dam n i , woods

f f o s edge , glades , clearings

- b b b b b b - - b b - -

b b b - - - - b (b) (*) , , coppices s Deciduou

s s wood

b r r alde d floode y Seasonall b b - - b - b b _ b - - - b - - - b - - - b

s s wood r alde

d d floode y Permanentl - b - - - - - b - - - - b b - — ------

s s wood d mixe d an

s s deciduou s Multi-specie b b - b b b

b b - b - - b b b b - - b (*) (*) (*)

s s wood h Beec

b - * - b -

- - * * - - b b ------(*)

s s area y dr n i , woods f o

s s edge , glades ,

Clearings b - - - - b b b b b b - - - b _ ------

s s coppice s Coniferou

- - - - -' - - b - - b - - - - b - — - - - - -

s s wood e Pin b b - b b - b b - b ------b - - - - - (*) in only a few places (b) breeding nisus) Sparrowhawk (Accipiter s y in large number b breeding regularl n of l distributio 3—Ecologica Table Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) Stock Dove (Columba oenas) Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) y but sparsely b breeding regularl s in woods in the nesting specie , Poland Barycz valley Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) Woodlark (LuIIula arborea) Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) Roller (Coracias garrulus) turtur) Turtle Dove (Streptopelia apivorus) Honey Buzzard (Pernis Woodcock (Scolopax rusticold) palumbus) Woodpigeon (Columba Buzzard {Buteo buteo) Black Kite (Milvus migrans) Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) Mallard {Anas platyrhynchos) Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius)

256 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY b b b _ b _ b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b ™ b _ _ b b b b b b — — _ „. b b - b b b b - b b b b _ - b - _ _ b b - _ - — b b b _ _ - — - b - - - b - - - b b b ------b - - b - - b - - - - b - b _ b b b - - b b - b b b b b b _ b _ * b b b b b - _ - - b b - - _ - b - - b - - _ - b b - b b - * b b _ - b - b - _ _ b b * - b - - b b _ (*) b - b - - - b b - - - b b b b b b b b b b - b - - - - b b b - b b b • - b b - - _ - b b - _ - b b b b b b b ------b - - - b _ - - b - - - b b b - b — - b - * b - - - - b - - - - - b - - b - - b - * b - - - glandarius) glandarius) Jay (Garrulus cristatus) Crested Tit {Parus major) Great Tit {Parus Song Thrush {Turdus pbilomelos) {Certhia brachydactyld) Short-toed Treecreeper ater) Coal Tit {Parus caeruleus) Blue Tit {Parus collybita) Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus Whinchat {Saxicola rubetra) Treecreeper {Certhia familiaris) Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) palustris) Marsh Tit {Parus Tit {Aegithalos caudatus) Long-tailed Nuthatch {Sit/a europaea) comix) comix) coram d Crow {Corvus Hoode Pied Flycatcher {Muscicapa hypoleuca) trochilus) Willow Warbler {Phylloscopus Spotted Flycatcher {Muscicapa striata) fluviatilis) River Warbler {Locustella hterina) Icterine Warbler {Hippolais Blackcap {Sylvia atricapilla) Whitethroat {Sylvia communis) Blackbird (Turdus meruld) Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Mistle Thrush {Turdus viscivorus) Starling {Sturnus vulgaris) Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Red-breasted Flycatcher {Muscicapa parva) Tree Pipit {Anthus trivialis) Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Hawfinch {Coccothraustes coccothraustes) Red-backed Shrike (Lanius cristatus collurio) Yellowhammer {Emberiza citrinella)

257 BRITISH BIRDS year round, the maximum depth in spring being about two feet (60 cm.); there is no undergrowth and clusters of sedges form the forest floor. In the second, the water stays less than six months (spring and early summer) and is under a foot (30 cm.) in depth; the undergrowth consists of thick bird cherry (Padus avium) and shrubs, and in places which are better lighted there are whole fields of sedges, nettles (Urtica), grass, iris (Iris) and so on.

boundaries of Poland Barycz valley major rivers district of Zawiercie basin Oswiecim and river Biala

FIG. 3. Map of Poland, showing the Barycz valley, the lake districts of Pomerania and Mazury, the Vistula basin, the district of Zawiercie, and Oswiecim and the river Biala (see page 259) {drawn by Robert Gillmor from a sketch by the authors) 258 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY (4) Deciduous coppices, clearings, glades and wood-edges. These are all well lighted areas dotted with trees of various species and less than thirty years old, as well as shrubs and high grass. Table 3 shows the distribution of various nesting species in different woodland environments.

Avifauna of fields, fallows and pastures To complete the picture of the bird population of the Barycz valley, a word or two must be said on such habitats as cultivated land (i.e. fields, pastures and fallow) and wastes even though the avifauna differs little from that of the corresponding types of environment elsewnere. The breeding birds of these habitats are shown in Table 4.

Table 4—Breeding birds of cultivated and waste land in the Barycz valley, Poland b breeding regularly in large numbers b breeding regularly but sparsely (b) breeding locally in considerable numbers, in holes in trees by roads and fields

Fallows and Fields Pastures wastes Partridge (Perdix perdix) b - b Quail {Coturnix coturnix) b Roller (Coracias garrulus) (*) (*) Hoopoe {Vpupa epops) (b) (b) Crested Lark (Galerida cristatd) b Skylark (Alauda arvmsis) b b b Magpie (Pica pica) b Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris) b b b Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor) b Red-backed Shrike {Lanius cristatus collurio) b b b Yellowhammer (Emberi^a citrinella) b b b Corn Bunting (Emberi^a calandrd) b - - Ortolan Bunting (Emberi^a hortuland) b

BREEDING BIRDS OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY, I954-61 Appendix A shows the nesting birds of the Barycz valley in compari­ son with those of the Polish lowland excluding the lake districts of Pomerania and Mazury (Sokolowski 1958), the Vistula basin (Domaniewski 1918), the district of Zawiercie (Maslowski 1958), and Oswiecim and the river Biala (Godyn 1935). The breeding avifauna of the Barycz valley compares favourably with that of the Polish lowland and the Vistula basin, considering the respective sizes of each (Fig. 3). The areas of the Polish lowland and Vistula basin are respectively more than 15 o times and 90 times larger than that of the Barycz valley. Clearly they represent a greater variety 259 BRITISH BIRDS of habitats; yet the differences in numbers of nesting species are not so considerable as might have been expected. The Polish lowland exceeds the Barycz valley by 44, and the Vistula basin by only 36. The other two regions, the district of Zawiercie and the area of Oswiecim and the river Biala, are much poorer in breeding species even though they are almost as large as the Barycz valley and abound in rivers, fishing ponds, woods and marshy meadows, Zawiercie has 45 fewer breeding species and Oswiecim-Biata 30 fewer. This appears to be largely due to these areas having (1) smaller ponds, with com­ pletely different emergent hydrophytes, (2) fewer damp woods and (3) a higher density of human population. Tne comparison is still more favourable to the Barycz valley when only those species which are closely connected with a water environment are considered. In the Barycz valley 60 aquatic species nest, while the corresponding figures for other regions are Polish lowland 78, Vistula 69, Zawiercie 30, and Oswiecim-Biala 37. The Barycz valley is rich not only in species but also in numbers. Some water birds breed there more numerously than anywhere else in Poland. Table 5 gives the total of nests, for each of the species most typical of the , found during a census of the pond "Jeleni III" in Radziadz, between March and the end of July. This pond has an area of about 420 acres (169 hectares); 160 acres (about 65 hectares) are made up of an extremely varied vegetation of emergent hydrophytes.

NOTES ON SPECIES OF PARTICULAR INTEREST Purple Heron. This species did not breed in Silesia from the mid- nineteenth century until 1956, when two nests with young birds were discovered near Radziadz (tukasizewicz 1957). Since then both adults and young have been seen every year. This is the only known breeding place in Poland. White Stork. The Barycz valley has the highest concentration of this species in Silesia. The White Stork is known to have been able to adapt itself to man's management of natural resources since earliest times, but there have been some fluctuations in numbers this century. Thus, in 1907, when a reduction had become apparent, a census revealed 15 3 pairs in the Milicz district. After this, the species became scarcer and scarcer every year, the same phenomenon being observed in Silesia and central Europe in general. A census in 1922 showed that the total in the Barycz valley had fallen to 49 pairs. Numbers then remained more or less stable until a slow but steady increase began to be noted after 1945. By 1959 some 130 pairs were nesting in the Milicz district, though the number fell to 80 in i960. In the Barycz valley over 90% of nests are built on houses.

260 Table 5—Numbers of nests found during a census of a typical pond area of 420 acres in the Barycz valley, Poland, during March-July Vegetatio n i ditche s Tota l Edg e zone s o f ree d an sedg e Islet s o f ree d rus h an d sedg e an d Juncus Floode d alde r wood s Islet s o f reed , Marsh y island s wit h alder , sedg e

Great Crested Grebe {Podiceps cristatus) 0 7 4 0 1 0 21 Red-necked Grebe {Podiceps griseigena) 0 0 4 2 2 0 8 Black-necked Grebe podiceps nigrkottis) 0 0 152 0 0 0 152 Little Grebe {Podiceps ruficollis) 2 0 0 0 5 1 8 Bittern {Botaurus stellaris) 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Mallard {Anas platyrhynchos) 0 0 0 19 193 2 214. Teal {Anas crecca) 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 Garganey {Anas querquedula) 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Tufted Duck {Aythya fuligula) 0 3 4 0 0 0 7 Pochard {Aythya ferina) 0 6 6 10 34 0 56 Ferruginous Duck {Aythya nyroca) 0 0 2 0 4 0 6. Mixed clutches of ducks 0 2 4 2 9 1 18 Grey Lag Goose {Anser anser) 0 16 0 0 11 4 3i Marsh Harrier {Circus aeruginosas) 0 2 0 0 1 0 3 Water Rail {Rallus aquaticus) 0 2 0 6 3 0 11 Coot {Fulica afro) 27 34 9 0 12 11 93 Black-headed Gull {Larus ridibtmdus) 0 0 87 c. 100 0 0 c. 187 Common Tern {Sterna hirundo) 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 Hoopoe {Upupa epops) 0 0 0 0 1 0 I Great Spotted Woodpecker {Vendrocopos major) 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker {Dendrocopos minor) 0 0 0 0 1 0 I Middle Spotted Woodpecker {Dendrocopos medius) 0 0 0 0 1 0 I Golden Oriole {Oriolus oriolus) 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 Hooded Crow {Cort/us corone cornix) 0 0 0 1 J 0 4 Magpie {Pica pica) 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 Great Tit {Partis major) 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 Blue Tit {Parus caeruleus) 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 Penduline Tit {Remi% pendulinus) 0 0 0 2 1 O J Blackbird {Tardus merula) 0 0 0 1 2 0 i Great Reed Warbler {Acrocephalus arundinaceus) 23 39 0 0 0 12 74 Reed Warbler {Acrocephalus scirpaceus) 29 18 0 0 0 12 59 Sedge Warbler {Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)7 0 0 6 4 O 17 Chaffinch {Fringilla coelebs) 0 0 0 0 8 O 8 Reed Bunting {Emberi^a schoenklus) 1 0 0 S 0 O 9

PLATE 57 {opposite). Top, part of the largest pond of the Ruda Sulowska group in the Barycz valley; this illustrates both an edge zone of reeds {Pbragmites communis) and the dry islands with pines {Pinus) and a luxuriant growth of grass. Centre, a typical Barycz pond in which the aquatic vegetation covers over 60% of the whole; in the foreground are tufts of sedge {Carex) mingled with reedmace (Typha) and water dropwort {penanthe crocata)—a breeding ground for Pochards and Ferruginous Ducks. Bottom, part of a marshy island thickly covered with rushes {Juncus eonglomeraius), sedges and sparse alders {Alnus)—a mass nest site for Mallards and Water Rails {photos: J. Witkowski) BRITISH BIRDS Black Stork (plate 50b). This shy bird once nested only in large marshy woods far from human habitation, but it is more common now. Twenty-five years ago there were only six nests in all Silesia, whereas in recent years 15 nests have been found in the Barycz valley alone (and five more pairs probably nest there, though the exact sites have not been discovered). Old widely branched oaks in marshy areas seldom frequented by man are the traditional breeding places, but some have now taken to building in dry pine woods with no under­ growth, even ones which are two miles (about 3 km.) or more from the marshes. This species may thus be adapting itself, at least in part, to man's economy. It is more and more difficult for the Black Stork to find its proper environment and, were it not adaptating to man- made conditions, it would disappear completely. The Barycz valley is by no means the only instance of this species' return to places long abandoned. Neither is this phenomenon peculiar to Black Stork alone; many large birds whose numbers were once shrinking have now increased and recolonised (e.g. Heron, Purple Heron, Mute Swan, Kite, Black Kite, White-tailed Eagle and Crane). Grey Lag Goose (plate 54b). The Barycz valley has probably the highest concentration of nests of this species in Poland, if not in the whole of central and western Europe. This relatively small area is the home of some 300 pairs. Up to the 1930's the population was even larger; between 300 and 400 pairs then nested in a flooded alder wood near Niezgoda and some 25-30 pairs in the ponds near Milicz. Now the water-level in the alder wood is over three feet (about one metre) lower than it used to be and vegetation has grown up to cover practi­ cally all the water surface. At present the geese make their nests on the large ponds which are the earliest flooded. These are distributed uniformly over the whole group of lakes. It is worth adding that the autumn passage of geese seems to be different now from what it used to be. All observers up to a decade ago, including Szarski (1950), reported large flocks of Grey Lag Goose in the autumn, but in recent years, especially in 1959, only a few small flocks numbering 12-30 individuals of this species have been seen. All the large flocks of geese on autumn migration have consisted of Bean Geese alone. We cannot account for this and it is hard to believe that observers of such high standing as Pax and Szarski could have been mistaken in identify­ ing these two species. Mute Swan. In the 1880's the Barycz valley was the last breeding place of this bird in Silesia and for the next sixty years there was no nesting at all. The first record of its reappearance on the ponds near Milicz dates back to 1948 (Szarski 1950). From that time a pair has bred there each year, and another pair nested on the Sulow pond in 1958 and i960. In April and May every year the ponds of the Barycz 262 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY valley also attract several pairs on passage. The Mute Swan nests in considerable numbers in North Poland and it has continued to in­ crease in recent years. Lesser Spotted Eagle (plate 5 5 a). Large areas of marshy meadows and primeval forests are essential for this species. Few such places remain in Silesia, and hardly any in the Barycz valley. As a result, the western border of its range is gradually shifting eastwards. Since 1956 there has been only one nesting pair in the area, in the Zmigrod valley. As the bird is easily scared and the woods are intensely ex­ ploited, the nest-site changes every year. It is not unlikely, therefore, that the Lesser Spotted Eagle will abandon the Barycz valley as a breed­ ing area in the near future. Kite. This species ceased to nest in Silesia at the turn of the century, and in the Barycz valley even earlier. For the next fifty years only individuals on passage were seen, and in the five years from 1955 there was only one record, but in i960 we found a nest in a large wood in the Zmigrod valley. Black Kite. This is one of the commonest birds of prey on the ponds, second only to the Marsh Harrier. There are some 15 pairs nesting all over the Barycz valley in the vicinity of ponds. The species is common in Poland in general, especially by the inland waters of the lake district. White-tailed Eagle. This species nested in Silesia before 1851. Later observations, by no means infrequent, referred to young vagrants or odd adults and there was no evidence of breeding for the next hundred years. Recently, however, it has begun to nest again in the Barycz valley. From numerous observations of adults and young in the breeding season we may infer that its return dates from about 1950, but no nest was actually found until 1955 when one was located in an alder wood, flooded practically all the year round, in the Zmigrod valley. Two other nests of the same pair have been found, one in a tall beech and the other in an old pine, both in dry areas. In the eastern section of this region some adults were watched in the summer of 19 5 9; a newly-made nest was found, but breeding did not take place. From October till April, when the ponds are mostly drained, the White- tailed Eagle is a common bird of prey. Chiefly young birds are noted, though adults are not rare. The largest number (up to eleven) was recorded in Radziadz on 6th December 1959. This species nests in northern districts of Poland; it is most numerous in the gulf. Honey Buzzard. This bird is quite difficult to detect and so deemed rarer than it really is. At any rate, it is not scarce in the Barycz valley and at least 10-15 pairs nest there. They usually keep to dry areas, close to meadows, fields, wastes, clearings, glades and so on; such places abound in the bees (Apidae) which constitute their 263 BRITISH BIRDS main food. The nests are built in damper parts, though always near to open areas. Osprey. The last definite record of breeding in the Barycz valley was in the late nineteenth century. In recent times, however, Szarski (1949, 1950) watched adults with young at the ponds near Sulow and in 1959 a pair built a nest in the same region but did not breed (plate 56). During migration periods (April, August-October) the Osprey is quite common on passage. It nests regularly in Poland in the lake districts of Pomerania and Mazury. Peregrine. Only one pair of this species is known to breed in the Barycz valley, though the area abounds in water birds which Peregrines like to hunt; the nest is in a large wood south of Milicz, some distance from the lakes. Two or three other Peregrines have been seen in the breeding season, hunting in the valley, but they probably nest in the woods adjoining the area. In autumn and early spring individuals on passage are seen not infrequently, usually preying on ducks or Starlings. There does not appear to have been any major change in the numbers in the Barycz valley, and in Silesia as a whole, for some scores of years. Penduline Tit (plate 54a). There was no evidence of nesting in the Milicz district up to 1950; all the old records refer to occasional occurrences. It was not until 1951 that W. Puchalski found a nest in Radziadz, but since then this species has been noted in ever increasing numbers. In 1959 as many as 49 nests were discovered by the ponds (25 in Radziadz, four in Ruda Sulowska, 14 in Milicz and six in Potasz- nia). This confirms the recent extension of the Penduline Tit's range northwards and eastwards, which has been combined with a gradual increase in the areas recently colonised. Redwing. This species breeds mainly in northern Europe and Asia. In Poland there have been occasional records of nesting in the Carpathian and Tatry mountains. There were no reports of breeding in the lowlands until our discovery of a nest with eggs near Milicz in May 1954. Stonechat. Until recently this species had been observed only by Floericke (1890), but Ferens (1948) mentioned its occurrence and we have found it twice during the breeding season in the fields in the vicinity of Gatkowice, so it may possibly be nesting. Bluethroat. Formerly this beautiful bird was" not uncommon, not only in the Barycz valley but throughout Silesia, but recent obser­ vations point to an alarming reduction. It is still a nesting bird of the Barycz valley, but we have seen it only a few times during our six years of observation in this region. Savi's Warbler (plate 55 b). Apart from one reference (Floericke 1890) to a male being killed, there were no reports of this species until 1949. Recently, however, it has been found at several places on the 264 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY ponds of Radzi^dz, Milicz and Potasznia; in 1961 a nest was found and 17 singing males were counted at the first two groups of ponds. Savi's Warbler is not uncommon in eastern and central Poland; only in the west is it held to be rare and recently it has been observed in several places in Germany, which, with our- observations, suggests that it is now extending its range westwards. Aquatic Warbler. Floericke (1890) gave this species as a breeding bird of the Barycz, but Pax (1925) rejected the evidence. Otherwise there is no other past information. We have seen it four times in recent years, in July, August and October, but there has been no evidence of breeding. Red-breasted Flycatcher. Formerly deemed very rare, this attractive little bird was not reported in the area after 1945 until a single breeding area was recently found in old deciduous forest, mixed with pines, near Radziadz. As the species lives in the crowns of large and shady deciduous trees, it is easily overlooked, but in 1961 no less than 18 separate parties of newly fledged young were dis­ covered. Grey Wagtail. This species is usually considered typical of moun­ tain regions. Recently, however, it has been increasing its range more and more and extending into the plains. Pax (1925) mentioned it as a breeding bird of the Barycz valley. Our observations have established its presence in April and May, but we have no proof of nesting. SPECIES FORMERLY NESTING IN THE BARYCZ VALLEY Cormorant. There was a colony near 2migr6d in the 1870's, but not after that time. In 1919 a single pair nested on the ponds near Milicz. Since then there has been no evidence of breeding in the Barycz valley and the species occurs only on passage. On the other hand, it still nests in North Poland in large numbers, particularly in the lake district of Mazury and West Pomerania; indeed, the popula­ tion in those parts has considerably expanded in recent years. Short-toed Eagle. The last reliable evidence of breeding was in 1918, in the neighbourhood of Sulow. Since that time there has been no record, even of accidental occurrence. The species rarely nests in Poland and then only in the east. Black Grouse. This species was completely exterminated in the Barycz valley thirty years ago, though it is still common in eastern parts of Poland. CONCLUSION When the results of our observations are compared with the data given by Szarski (1950), one cannot miss the changes, and very favourable ones, too, that have taken place in the last ten years. These changes 265 BRITISH BIRDS have largely resulted from the restriction of shooting in the breeding season and from the considerable extension of marshy and flooded areas caused by the destruction of the drainage system during the war. These two factors are responsible for the reappearance in the Barycz valley of such species as the White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, Mute Swan and Purple Heron, which are now nesting there after a prolonged absence, in some cases of as much as a hundred years. White-tailed Eagles are, indeed, becoming more and more numerous every year. Any resumption of an efficient water economy might be dangerous to the Black Stork, but it seems to be beginning to adapt itself to man's management of nature and we may hope its numbers will be kept steady. A similar situation exists for such waders as the Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit; like the Black Stork, they have again found suitable habitats since 1950. The Redwing and the Penduline Tit, on the other hand, are newcomers to the Barycz valley. Both species have found their way there as a result of recent extensions of range, the Redwing southwards and the Penduline Tit northwards and westwards. The latter is becoming more and more common although it reached the Barycz valley only in 1950. During this time of gain, only three species seem to have been lost from the area. It is worth remembering that the Barycz valley is by no means primi­ tive, even though it has been sheltering many species which are ex­ tremely shy and very easily scared. Large areas of water and old woods, so attractive for the bird population, are the outcome of an age old economy which transformed the primitive scenery and yet maintained its peculiar character. Without constant control by man, the ponds would soon turn into swamps and quagmires. The creation of the reserve in the Barycz valley has offered brighter pros­ pects for this area: if the regulations aiming at the preservation of nature are properly observed, we may reasonably expect that the Barycz valley will retain, if not enlarge, its present bird population.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This paper owes its very existence to our unforgettable teacher, the late Professor K. W. Szarski. It was he who encouraged us to take up the subject, he who patronised our work and he. who secured the essential funds; in spite of the double burden of countless tasks and illness, he was never sparing with his time and advice, and he was constantly directing our observations. Death carried off our Professor before the work was completed and we can only acknowledge our indebtedness by cherishing him in our grateful memories. Our sincere thanks are also due to Professor J. Orska for her valuable suggestions while this paper was being prepared and for checking through the manuscript. We are likewise greatly indebted to the 266 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY managers of fishing farms and fishermen who did everything to facilitate our field observations. Finally, our special thanks must go to Mr. Stanley Cramp for his encouragement and kindness in various ways, and to Mrs. M. Gottwald for translating the paper into English. The work was partly financed by the Second Department of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY DOMANIEWSKI, J. (1918): "Fauna omitologiczna dorzecza Wisly i jej stosunek do fauny dorzeczy wi^kszych rzek s^siednich" (Avifauna of the Vistula basin and its relation to the fauna of the basins of larger neighbouring rivers). Monografia Wisly, 5: 1-8. FLOERICKE, K. (1890): "Em Ausflug in die Bartschniederung". Orn. Monatsschr.r !5= 435-445- (1891): "Ein zweiter Ausflug in die Bartschniederung". Orn. Monatsscbr., 16: 96-99. FERENS, B. {1948): "Nad Barycza.; reportaz ornitologiczny z Milicza na Dolnym Sl^sku" (The Barycz riverside; report on Milicz in ). Ws^echswiat, 1 (i775): i-4- -(1949): "Spotkanie z labedziem niemym" (A meeting with the Mute Swan). Chronmy Przyrodg Ojc%jstq, 4(9: 10): 32-39. GODYN, 2. (1935): "Spis ptakow Bialej i Oswiecimia w wojewodztwie krakowskim" (A list of birds of the Biala river and Oswiecim in the district of Krakow). Acta Orn. Mus. Zool. Polon., 1 (13): 371-401. KOLLIBAV, P. (1906): Die Vogel der Preussischm Proving Schksien. . LUKASIZEWICZ, K. (1957): "Czaplapurpurowa—ArdeapurpureaL.ptakieml^gowym w Polsce" (Purple Heron—Ardea purpurea L. as a breeding bird in Poland). Pr^eglqd Zoologically, 1: 60. MASLOWSKI, M. (1938): "Przyczynek do poznania fauny ornitologicznej powiatu Zawiercie" (A contribution to the knowledge of the avifauna of the district of Zawiercie). Acta Orn. Mus. Zool. Polon,, 2 (11): 161-228. PAMPEL, F. (1922): "Die Bartschniederung und ihte Vogelwelt", Bsr. Ver. ScbuL Orn., 8: 19-31. PAX, F. (1925): Wirbeltierfauna von Schlesien. Berlin. SEMBRAT, K. (1948): "Lesno-stawowy obszar ochrony w dolinie Baryczy" (The wood-and-pond reserve in the Barycz valley). Chronmy Przyrodg Ojc^ystq, 4 (9-10): 17-25. SOKOLOWSKI, J. (1958): Piaki Ziem Polskich (Birds of Polish lands). Warsaw. Vols. 1 and 2, SZARSKI, K. W. (1949): "Obserwacje ornitologiczne w powiecie milickim" (Orni­ thological observations in the district of Milicz). C^as. Geogrqf., 13: 203-208. (1950): "Obserwacje ornitologiczne w pradolinie Baryczy w latach 1946- 49" (Ornithological observations in the fluvo-glacial valley of the River Barycz during 1946-49). Ochrona Pr^yrody, 19: 163-178. WOLK, K. (i960): "First nesting places of Tardus iliacus L. on Polish lowland". Przegl. Zool, 4: 218-222. 267 BRITISH BIRDS Appendix A—Breeding birds of the Barycz valley during 1945-61, compared with those of certain other areas of Poland b breeding p present in summer but breeding not proved ? formerly bred but probably does so no longer

>> JJ lan d .3 distric t an d J2 _o '0 § > 1 &'C J3 .a S3 atr 3 B 0 '5 '$• N 0 m Black-throated Diver {Gavia arctica) _ b b _ _ Great Crested Grebe {Podiceps cristatus) b b b b b Red-necked Grebe (podiceps griseigena) b b b - - Black-necked Grebe {Podiceps nigricollis) b b b b b Little Grebe {Podiceps ruficollis) b b b b b Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carbo) - b - - - Heron (Ardea cinerea) b b b - - Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) b p - - - Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) - b P - - Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) b b b b b Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) b b b P b White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) b b b h b Black Stork {Ciconia nigra) b b b P - Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) b b b b b Teal (Anas crecca) b b b b b Garganey (Anas querquedula) b b b b b Gadwall (Anas strepera) b b b - - Wigeon (Anas penelope) - b - - - Pintail (Anas acuta) b b b - - Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) b b b - - Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) - b _ - - Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) b b - - - Pochard (Aythya ferina) b b b - b Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) b b b - - Goldeneye (Bucepbala clangula) - b b - - Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) - b b - - Goosander (Mergus merganser) - b b - - Grey Lag Goose (Anser anser) b b - - - Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) b b b - - Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) - b b - - Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) b b b - - Booted Eagle (Hieraetus pennatus) - p' ? - - Buzzard (Buteo buteo) b b b b b Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) b b b b b Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) b b b b b Kite (Milvus milvus) b b b - b Black Kite (Milvus migrans) b b b b b White-tailed Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) b b b - - Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) b b b b - Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) b b b - - Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) P b b - - 268 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) - b b - - Short-toed Eagle (Circsitus gallicus) - b b - - Osprey (Pandion halialtus) b b b - - Hobby (Fako subbuteo) b b b b b Peregrine (Fako peregrinus) b b b - - Saker (Fako eherrug) - P ? - _ Red-footed Falcon (Fako vespertinus) - b - - - Lesser Kestrel (Fako naumanni) - b b - - Kestrel (Fako tinnunculus) b b b b b Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) - b b b b Capercaillie (Teirao urogallus) - b b - b Hazel Hen (Tetrastes bonasia) - b b - b Partridge (Perdix perdix) b b b b b- Quail (Coturnix coturnix) b b b b b Pheasant (Pbasianm colchicus) b b - - _ Crane (Megalornis grui) b b b - _ Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) b b b b b Spotted Crake (Por^ana peruana) b b b b b Little Crake (Porzana parva) b b b - P Corncrake (Crex crex) b b b b b Moorhen {Gallmula chhropus) b b b b b Coot (Fulica atrd) b b b b b Great Bustard (Otis tarda) - b b - _ Lapwing (Vamllus vanelhs) b b b b b Ringed Plover (Cbaradrius biatkula) - b b - - Little Ringed Plover (Cbaradrius dubius) b b b b b Golden Plover (Cbaradrius aprkarius) - P ? - - Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) b b b b b Great Snipe (Gallinago media) - b b - - Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) b b b b P Curlew (Numenius arquata) b b b - _ Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosd) b b b - - Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) b b b b - Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareold) P b b - - Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos) b b b P b Redshank (^Tringa totanus) b b b b - Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) b b b b b Stone Curlew (hurhinus oedicnemus) - b b b - Common Gull (Lams canus) - b - ~ - Little Gull (Larus m'mutus) - b - ~ - Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) b b b - b Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) b. b b - b White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) - b b - - Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) b b b - - Little Tern (Sterna albijrons) ,_ b b - r> Stock Dove (Columba oenas) b b b b b Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) b b b b b Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) b b b b b Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) b b b b b Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) b b b b b Barn Owl (Tyto alba) b b b P - Scops Owl (Qius scops) - b b- - - Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) - b b - - Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) - b b - - 269 BRITISH BIRDS Little Owl {Athene noctua) b b b b b Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) b b b b b Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) - b b - - Long-eared Owl (Ash otus) b b b b b Short-eared Owl (Asia flammeus) P b b - b Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius fmereus) - b b - - Nightjar (Caprimulgus ettropaeus) b b b b b Swift (Apus apus) b b b b b Kingfisher (Alcedo aiihis) b b b b b Roller (Coracias garrulus) b b b - - Hoopoe (Upupa epops) b b b b b Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) b b b b b Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) b b b - b Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) b b b b b White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos kucotos) - b b - - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) b b b b - Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) b b b - b Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) b b b b b Wryneck (Jynx torquilld) b b b b b Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) b b b b b Woodlark {Lullula arbored) b b b b b Skylark (Alauda arvensis) b b b b b Swallow (Hirundo rustica) b b b b b House Martin (Delkhon urbica) b b b b b Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) b b b - b Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) b b b b b Raven (Corvus corax) _ b b - - Hooded Crow (Corvus corone comix) b b b b b Rook (Corvus frugilegus) b b b b b Jackdaw (Corvus moneduld) b b b b b Magpie (Pica pica) b b b b b Jay (Garrulus glandarius) b b b b b Great Tit (Parus major) b b b b b Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) b b b b b Coal Tit (Parus ater) b b b b b Crested Tit {Parus cristatus) b b b b b Marsh Tit {Parus palustris) b b b b b Willow Tit {Parus atricapillus) b b b b b Long-tailed Tit (Aegithahs caudatus) b b b - b Penduline Tit (Kemi\ pendulinus) b b b - b Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmkus) - b - - - Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) b b b b b Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) b b b b b Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyld) b b b - - Wren {Troglodytes troglodytes) b b b b b Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) b b' b b b Fieldfare {Turdus pilaris) b b b b b Song Thrush {Turdus philomeloi) b b b b b Redwing {Turdus iliacus) b _-* - - P Blackbird {Turdus merula) b b b b b Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) b b b b b Stonechat (Saxicola torquatd) b b' b - - Whinchat (Saxicola rubetrd) b b b - P *Some breeding records in recent years (Wolk i960). 270 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BARYCZ VALLEY

Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) b b b b b Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) b b b b b Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) b b b b b Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinid) - b b - b Bluethroat (Luscinia sveckd) b b b - b Robin (Erithacus rubecula) b b b b b Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevid) b b b - b River Warbler (Locustella flmiiatilis) b b b - _ Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides) b b b - - Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus artmdinaceus) b b b b b Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) b b b - b Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) b b b b b Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) b b b b b Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) P b b b - Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina) b b b b b Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) b b b b b Barred Warbler {Sylvia nisoria) b b b b b Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) b b b b b Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) b b b b b Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia currucd) b b b b b Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) b b b b b Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides) - b - - - Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) b b b b b Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) b b b b b Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) b b b b b Firecrest (Regulus ignkapillus) b b b - b Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) b b b b b Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa hypoleuca) b b b - P Collared Flycatcher (Muscicapa albkollis) - b b - b Red-breasted Flycatcher (Muscicapa parva) b b b - - Dunnock {Prunella /nodularis) b b b b - Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratmsis) b b b b b Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris) b b b b b Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) b b b b b White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) b b b b b Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) b b b - b Blue-headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava) b b b b b Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor) b b b b b Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) - b b - - Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator) b b b - - Red-backed Shrike (Lanius cristatus collurio) b b b b b Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) b b b b b Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) b b b b b Greenfinch (Chloris chhris) b b b b b Goldfinch (Cardmlis carduelis) b b b - b Siskin (Carduelis spinas) b b b' b b Linnet (Carduelis camiabina) b b b b b Redpoll (Carduelis flammed) - - ? > - Serin (Serinus canarius) b b b b b Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) b b b - b Scarlet Grosbeak (Carpodacus erythrimis) - b b - - Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) P b b - b Parrot Crossbill {Loxia pytyopsittacus) - b b - _ Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) b b b b b 271 BRITISH BIRDS Yellowhammer (Emberi^a citrinelld) b b b b b Corn Bunting (Emberi^a calandra) b b b b b Ortolan Bunting (Emberi^a hortulana) b b b b - Reed Bunting (Emberi%a schoeniclus) b b b b b House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) b b b b b Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) b b b b b

Appendix B—Non-breeding birds recorded in the Barycz valley during 1945-61 Regular passage-migrants Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica) Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)* Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) Scaup (Aythya marila) Wigeon (Anas penehpe) Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fused) Goldeneye (Bucepbala clangula) Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) Goosander (Mergus merganser) Shelduck (Tadorna tadornd) Smew (Mergus albellus) Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) erytbropus) Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) Merlin (Falco columbarius) Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticuld) Golden Plover (Charadrius apricarius) Grey Plover (Charadrius squatarola) Great Snipe (Gallinago media) Spotted Redshank (Tringa erytbropus) Jack Snipe (Eymnocryptes minimus) Greenshank (Tringa nebularid) Temminck's Stint (Calidris iemminckii) Little Stint (Calidris minuta) Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris testaced) Dunlin (Calidris alpind) Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) Common Gull (Earns canus) Herring Gull (Earns argentatus) Little Gull (Earns minutus) Kittiwake (RJssa tridactyla) Waxwing (Bomhycilla garrulus) Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) Redpoll (Carduelis flammed) Raven (Corpus corax) Brambling (Fringilla montifringilld) Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) Azure Tit (Parus cyanus) Irregular vagrants and accidentals Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus) (less than ten records) Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellatd) Twite (Carduelis flavirostris) Great White Heron (Egretta alba) Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) * According to Szarski (1950).

272 PLATE" 50A. Crane (Megalornis grits) at nest, Poland. The Barycz valley is one of the few places in central Europe where this and such other local birds as the White-tailed Eagle, Kite, Grey LagGoose and Black Stork (see below) still nest. The Crane breeds in the marshes near to the woods (page 254)

PLATE 50B. Black Stork {Ciconia nigra) and young, Poland. Being near water and marsh, the Barycz woods attract this rare species and it is actually increas­ ing there. Old oaks are the traditional breeding places, but it now nests in pine woods miles from any marsh (page 262) {photos: W. Puchalski) PLATE 51. Above, male Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) {photo: Pbilippa Scott); below, Red-necked Grebe [Podiceps griseigena) {photo: M. D. England). Both species arc typical of the sedge and reed zones of the Barycz ponds; the Ferruginous Ducks also breed in the flooded deciduous forest and in vegetation in ditches (page 252) PLATE 52. Fragment of alder (A/nus) wood in the Barycz valley, flooded to a depth of up to a metre. Sedge {Carex) is growing round the bases of the trees and in other more shallow places. This is a convenient breeding area for Ferruginous Ducks, Pochards, Coots, Little Grebes and Greylags (page 252) {photo: J. Witkowski) PLATE 5 3 A . One nest of Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps ni.gri- collis) and two of Black-headed Gull (Lams ridibundits)— which often breed together (page 252)

PLATE 53B. Grey Lag Goose (slnser ansef) on nest in flooded alder wood —one of the typical sites for this common bird of the Barycz {photos: J. Witkowski) PLATE 5 4 A. Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus) and partly built nest, Poland. In the Barycz valley this bird nests in young copses of alder and birch or in old flooded alder woods. It is a spreading species which has colonised the area since 1950 (page 264)

PLATE 54B. Grey Lag Goose (Atiser anser) on nest among reeds, Poland. The Barycz valley has one of the highest con­ centrations of breed­ ing Greylags in west­ ern and central Europe—some 300 pairs in all (page 262) —and reed beds are another regular nest site (cf. opposite) {photos: W. Puchalski) PLATE 55. Above, Lesser Spotted Eagle{Aquilapomarina); below, Savi's Warbler (IsOcustella luscinioides) (p/jo/os: Eric Hosking). The former needs large areas of marshy meadow and primeval forest, and is decreasing in Poland (page 263), while the latter, a bird of sedge, has colonised the Barycz valley since 1949 (page 264) PLATE 56. Nest of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) at the top of a pine in a mixed wood in the Ruda Sutowska group of ponds in 195 9. It was not laid in and the last definite breeding in the Barycz valley was in the late nineteenth century, though young were observed with adults in 1949 and 1950 (page 264) {photo: J. Witkowski)