Poland in Autumn

Naturetrek Tour Report 8 - 16 September 2018

European Bison Red Fox

Black Redstart at ringing station Wild Boar- a Beatles fan!

Report compiled by Rob Murray Photographs by Peter Seddon

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Poland in Autumn

Tour participants: Rob Murray (leader), Oliwier Myka (Local guide), Wacek (Bus driver) With 16 Naturetrek clients

Summary

This tour aimed to explore the natural history of three ecologically different regions of Poland. We started in the primeval forests of Białoweiza where perseverance ensured that six species of woodpecker, a Pygmy Owl and the elusive European Bison were enjoyed by all. The extensive wetlands and meadows of the Biebrza National Park were drier than usual after a protracted period with no rain. However, small flocks of trumpeting Common Cranes and over-flying raptors were conspicuous here. Greater Spotted, Lesser Spotted and White-tailed Eagles graced the skies. On the way to the third region, the sandy Baltic shores of the north coast of Poland, a lakeside stop at last yielded an Elk. Shorebirds, migrating finches, raptors and Wild Boar were the main attractions here. We visited an active bird ringing station where we watched the processing of Bearded Tit, Black Redstart and Reed Warblers.

Visits to the ‘wooden’ village of Ploski and the delightful city of Gdańsk, famed for its architecture, added an element of culture to the mix and we were served prodigious feasts of typical Polish food and drink in all three hotels.

Day 1 Saturday 8th September

Our flight from Heathrow to Warsaw touched down ten minutes early and as there were no delays with baggage we were soon out onto the concourse ready to greet those members of the group who had arrived independently. Oliwier arrived on time so we made a smooth getaway for eastern Poland. The opening of a new ring road cut 30 minutes off our travelling time and there was no traffic congestion. Taking a set lunch at the Kamiza hotel gave us a welcome break as did a garage stop a little later.

We arrived at the Unikat Hotel in Białowieża at 4.45pm and had a freshen up before having our meal early so that we could take advantage of a beautiful evening to go Pygmy Owl hunting. There wasn’t a breath of wind to disturb the silence of the forest as dusk intensified and we strained our ears for the piping call of our quarry. Suddenly blood curdling, horrifying, deep and resonant bellows roared from the Wild Wood sounding like we imagine a rapacious dinosaur would. It was loud! Then replies of equal ferocity emanated from other quarters of the forest - Red Deer were rutting. We saw a splendid stag and a wary hind on the old railway track. It is always exciting to see evidence that large beasts have passed the very spot upon which you are standing, and seeing the huge prints of an Elk on the trail alongside Red Deer tracks provided that tingle. Knowing that something exciting could be round the next bend is one of the features that makes this trip so attractive. Peering intently forwards, scrutinising the illuminated road ahead, produced only moths and a couple of frogs but who knows what might have crossed the road seconds before or after our passage!

Day 2 Sunday 9th September

The day began with the sighting of two Black Redstarts and a Chiffchaff in the hotel grounds, while Red Admirals were attracted to rotting apples in the adjacent orchard. We spent this morning dipping into various regions of the forest in the vicinity of Białoweiza. The first of these was close to the village of Budy on the

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Narewka road where we parked by a monument to the villagers who were sent to Siberia during the last war. After a short walk we entered a broad clearing of swamp and dead trees which is home to beavers, and although we found their lodge, unsurprisingly we didn’t see the occupants. We encountered Lesser and Great Spotted Woodpeckers here with little difficulty, Nuthatches were very active too and two Sparrowhawks flew across the clearing. We returned to the bus then relocated to Czerlonka via a disused rail track. The most difficult woodpecker to see on this trip is the Green Woodpecker so we were delighted when one flew across the road in front of the bus. Deeper into the forest we enjoyed excellent views of a Three-toed Woodpecker and heard the high pitched calls of some Hazel Grouse, but we couldn’t see them. A splendid Wasp Spider held our attention for a while and it caught a Long-winged Conehead in its vertical web. By 12.30pm we were back at the hotel enjoying lunch. The afternoon was spent mainly walking along the Zebra Zubra trail of board walk and raised shingle embankment running for 2.7km where we secured excellent views of a Nutcracker calling out in the open from the top of a dead tree.

White-backed Woodpeckers were also easily located amongst the dense trees. Siskin could be heard calling but remained stubbornly out of sight and five Hawfinches perched aloft in a dead, exposed tree. After dipping in to explore part of another trail we returned to base in plenty of time to freshen up before an early evening meal. Having failed to connect with Pygmy Owl last night we resolved to have another session tonight. As we drove out of Białoweiza, Oliwier noticed the unmistakable silhouette of a perched Lesser Spotted Eagle. We bundled out of the coach and had good views of it in a tree, in flight and on the ground. The spot selected for our owl quest is known as The Royal Oaks, where a circular boardwalk from the car park winds through a forest. A Pygmy Owl began calling and was soon located, and although it flew around quite a lot, changing perches frequently, everyone saw it which was most pleasing. We paused at the edge of the wood to listen to emerging nocturnal creatures. A Tawny Owl hooted and Red Deer stags bellowed and roared in the distance. Pausing again further along the road produced the same outcome. However, an evil, thick mist was developing over the marshy meadow and swirling in like a menacing tide. Once mentioned by one person it appeared that thoughts of the horror movie ‘The Fog’ permeated several minds simultaneously and we departed hastily for the sanctuary of the awaiting coach before evil sprites and apparitions materialised from the gloaming.

Day 3 Monday 10th September

There had been overnight rain the remnants of which were fading away as we assembled for a 6am wander to the meadows situated behind the hotel. As we surmounted the slope and peered ahead across the meadows towards the woods it was clear that our luck was in. There ahead stood 18 Bison grazing contentedly at the interface of field and forest. We were only just in time as they were edging closer and closer to the all-enveloping woodland. Within minutes they had been absorbed and disappeared from view. However, everyone had good but distant views of these beasts of the forest. A few Tree Pipits flew over calling and Ravens were on view too. As there was still an hour before breakfast we opted to walk a circuit of the Palace Park, but it was very quiet and nothing noteworthy appeared.

The tower hide just at the edge of the village overlooks a marsh through which the Narewka River flows. A Tree Sparrow called persistently as we scaled the wooden staircase. Looking out we noticed a juvenile Red-backed Shrike perched on a dead tree, while a Snipe was alarmed by something unseen and towered away over the trees.

2 © Naturetrek October 18

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

We then sauntered back for breakfast. At 9am we were ready to enter the Strict Reserve accompanied by Arek, the most experienced and characterful of the forest rangers, who explained the ecological complexities of this wonderful woodland ecosystem in a delivery overflowing with facts and figures as we ambled along the permitted trails. A plethora of fungi attracted our attention. Huge growths of Tinder Fungus, Red-rimmed Polyphore, Chicken of the Woods and the exquisite Coral fungus were the most dramatic ones. The more familiar Parasols, Stinkhorn and Honey fungus added to the wonderful array of growth forms of these harbingers of rot and decay. As we gathered to hear Arek recounting the history of the reserve, Bank Voles scurried back and forth through the under growth momentarily distracting us from his enthralling discourse. We all enjoyed the aesthetically pleasing physical structures of the forest, with towering, ancient oak trees dwarfing the fine specimens of Lime and Hornbeam. Sunlight danced between the boughs creating dappled patches on the rich herb layer and although none showed itself, evidence of mammals lay all around us. The eyes of our experienced tracker noted the following: a urinary latrine of a wolf; a Badger sett shared with Red Fox and Raccoon Dog; a wasp’s nest excavated by to the fervent digging of a determined badger and tracks of Red Deer. We saw a store of Hornbeam seeds wedged into crevices of the trunk for later attention from a Nuthatch, while split seeds lying on the ground were the work of Hawfinches. We were so engrossed in all of this that none of us realised that three fascinating hours had passed by since we passed through the Jurassic Park gates into this bewitching wilderness.

After lunch our destination was the vast open lake and marsh of Siemianówka. As we entered the smallest of villages with the longest name in Poland, Siemieniakowszczyzna, a White Stork flew round and perched on a chimney pot. No sooner had we scrambled up onto the embankment than exciting birds lifted into the thermals. A splendid Greater Spotted Eagle soared overhead then returned to hunt over the marshes where it was buzzed by an immature Pallid Harrier and a Marsh Harrier. Two White-tailed Eagles circled in the clouds in the distance. Then, to cap a manic 10 minutes a Black Kite sailed over with tail twisting and wings out straight. There were several Great Egrets out on the marshes and an assortment of waders and wildfowl too distant to identify. Suddenly, a Great Grey Shrike appeared on a bare shrub and whilst ‘scoping it we noticed an immature Red- backed Shrike close to it.

Babia Góra is a small hamlet bordering open meadows and woodland where there are some Bison residing. We drove around for a while scrutinising every hay stack in the hope of finding the herd but without success. However, whilst driving down a road flanked by dense forest our driver suddenly shouted words to the effect of “goodness me! Look at that!” and slammed on the brakes. A huge bull Bison was striding unhurriedly across the road and it sauntered into the edge of the thicket giving us magnificent views from the now stationary bus. Someone remarked what a good spot that was by the driver. I was thinking more along the lines of the predicament we would have been in had he not seen it! What an exciting conclusion to a fascinating day!

Day 4 Tuesday 11th September

After breakfast we packed our bags and began the long drive towards our next base at Goniądz. Such was our determination to find Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers that we revisited the Budy clearing which has been 100% reliable on all previous trips. However, our diligence was not rewarded and failed to yield the missing two species of woodpecker. We found a Grass Snake and two dead shrews but only Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpeckers visited the clearing.

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

We called in at Ploski which is a linear settlement with wooden houses sporting highly decorative shutters and there is an interesting wooden Russian Orthodox Church here too. The well-tended and planted gardens attracted a range of butterflies including Brown Argus, Peacock, Wall Brown and Large White.

Lunch was taken at a restaurant in Kuriani just outside Białystok which is close to our next birding haunt at the fishponds of Dojlidy. It wasn’t long before Penduline Tits were on the list. Two White-tailed Eagles sailed over but remained distant, but fortunately, an Osprey was more obliging and it approached us as it peered down ready to plunge on a hapless carp. It failed to select a suitable victim and sailed away. Two Goldeneye were the pick of the wildfowl.

The final interlude before arriving at Goniądz was a visit to Jezioro Zygmunta Augusto Lake close to the village of Czechowizna. It was fairly quiet, with only a Hobby and two Marsh Harriers being active, and although we heard a Black Woodpecker it didn’t reveal itself. A Queen of Spain Fritillary and more Clouded Yellow butterflies were also seen here.

Before checking in at our hotel in Goniądz we visited the viewing platform on the edge of the village. A vast open marshy area confronted us as we scanned left and right. and back again repeatedly. Two Hawfinches perched nearby as did a Spotted Flycatcher and a Marsh Harrier hunted low along the river side.

Day 5 Wednesday 12th September

Today we concentrated on the Biebrza Marshes starting with a visit to the tower hide on the Wólka road. At first there didn’t appear to be anything to observe, but as we scanned the vast bush-strewn marshes shapes resolved into interesting wildlife. Two Roe Deer were nibbling in tall reeds, with their heads coming up and down quickly making them difficult to see well. A Great Grey Shrike sat in a prominent position so it was easy for everyone to see and a second individual did likewise but at a greater distance. Two Red-backed Shrikes were also in the vicinity. The huge, unmistakable form of a White-tailed Eagle dwarfed a Common Buzzard sharing the same airspace. A meadow full of large Marsh Gentians has just been mowed down and destroyed by the local farmer and although there were a few on the opposite side of the road they were not accessible, which was a disappointment.

At this point we turned round and drove back through Goniądz to the Tsar Road. A rough track just after the turn off for Budy led us to a car park at Barwick. As we prepared to leave the bus a Lesser Spotted Eagle and our first sightings of Common Cranes were recorded. As we walked along the narrow, sandy path towards an observation platform two Camberwell Beauties were flying around the sallows and tantalising tracks of Elk teased us and raised our hopes of finding one. We failed! Further down the trail it forks and the right-hand track took us to a tower hide overlooking an expanse of marsh and scrub where scattered bomb craters were a grim testament to hostilities of the Second World War. Here we saw two Crested Tits and many shrivelled spikes of a tall species of Helleborine. Fly Agaric mushrooms were just emerging. The Wood Ants nests here are huge and we tormented one of them a little to encourage the ants to squirt formic acid onto a tissue for the vapour to be experienced by all. On the return walk back to the car park a White-tailed Eagle flew close by giving wonderful views.

4 © Naturetrek October 18

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Lunch was taken here and then, suitably refreshed, we continued south to another tower hide called Bagno Ławki which stands just north of Długa Luka., but unfortunately, the open marshes were dry and lifeless. Our fourth stop was at Burzyn which has a lookout hide on a hill giving the most fantastic views across the river and expansive marshes and woods. Two White-tailed Eagles were picked out immediately, one being on the ground, conspicuous and well away from any cover, while the other had selected a low perch on a dead tree as its lookout. Two Common Cranes flew by but yet again we failed to find an Elk for the group. As Oliwier and I boarded the bus, heads drooped in shame, we heard strains of Neil Young’s song “leave us Elk-less, Elk-less, Elk-less.”

Some pride was salvaged when the regular and reliable Tawny Owl was seen squatting in the entrance to its hole in a chimney wall just beneath a stork’s nest. Scanning fields as fervently as we could during the drive back to Goniądz also paid dividends as we amassed a total of 70 Common Cranes.

We passed through the village of Chyliny which has several fine barns and houses built with colourful erratic stones which local people have collected from the surrounding glacial outwash plain.

Day 6 Thursday 13th September

Early risers hoping to scan the marshes for a glimpse of an Elk were thwarted by a dense layer of mist hovering persistently and cloaking the reeds in heavy dew, although the eerie scene presented marvellous opportunities for creative photography. We departed at 9am for the long drive to the Baltic coast which would take us through the Masurian landscape peppered with glacial out-wash features. Drumlins are especially prominent and kettle hole lakes abound. A few Roe Deer, small congregations of Cranes and a Lesser Spotted Eagle were spotted from the bus.

After a couple of hours we stopped at a RAMSAR site known as Jezioro Łuknajno. It is a massive, reed-fringed lake which can be viewed from a tower hide of impressive proportions. Hundreds of Mute Swans and Gadwall were drifting about and White-tailed Eagles flew close to the tower giving us excellent views. An Osprey came over and plunged a couple of times but caught nothing. Suddenly, Oliwier, who had been scanning the reedy meadows, yelled “Elk”! It walked from cover behind a clump of trees then disappeared from view. Regrettably not everyone saw it. We left at 12.40pm having stayed a little longer than intended. Lunch was taken in a restaurant in Mragowo after which we pushed on to Krynica Morska, arriving at the hotel by 5.30pm.

After our evening meal (and a complimentary vodka, which tradition held had to be downed in one), those of us who were able went for a walk. The aim was to seek out some nocturnal mammals. A few times we heard rustling across the leaf litter in the wood and a strong smell of Wild Boar assaulted the nostrils. Eventually the torch beam illuminated a retreating Wild Boar and two Red Foxes which carried on hunting with no regard for our very close proximity. It was a satisfying session but we learned that the locals are having a Wild Boar day on Saturday and they have shot a significant number of boars to provide a free feast for all of the villagers. That explains why they were hard to find!

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Day 7 Friday 14th September

After another breakfast spread of prodigious diversity we made for the long established ringing station just west of Krynica. Although the standard of bird handling differed from what we are used to by BTO ringers, we nevertheless had good opportunities to see some birds in the hand, including Reed Warblers, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Reed Bunting, Bearded Tit, Black Redstart, Chaffinches and Blackbird. The camp is run by volunteers who have 80 nets out. They demonstrated the processing of a captured bird and took us along the lines of nets to check for fresh captures. There is a bus shelter close to the parking place where a number of Ant Lions have established their pits. Next we motored further eastwards along the spit to a raptor watching tower at Pirat, The upper platform gives a good view out across the Baltic to the north and over the lagoon to the south and is an excellent place to witness visible migration. At first it was very quiet with only a Hobby and a Sparrowhawk passing through, the weather being just too calm and pleasantly sunny for migrants to drop down. Then wave after wave of assorted finches and tits bounded overhead, with Chaffinches being especially abundant. Driving back westwards brought us to Mikoszewo from where we walked to the sea and west towards the Vistula river. A tidal lagoon behind a series of sand bars provided calm water for thousands of birds. The huge assemblage of Cormorants formed ranks of black smudges along the pale, sandy ridge.

From our vantage point on the beach we began sifting through the multitude of birds loafing in the bay and amongst the throng we picked out a Black-necked Grebe, a Peregrine and three Caspian Terns. Rafts of Goldeneye were diving to feed whilst lots of Goosander were loitering on the sand bar. The weather was superb and really showed the bay and beach at its best. The light was perfect for telescoping and between us we picked out a wide range of wildfowl and waders. The Sea Pea (Lathyrus japonicus) was quite widespread on the dunes and foreshore and it wasn’t long before people began hunting for chunks of amber, but tiny grains were the best we could muster. Time passed very quickly as there was so much to hold our attention and all too soon it was time to leave and rendezvous with two of the group who had opted to stay at the hotel. No wonder they were beaming from ear to ear when we returned. What good fortune they had as a Beech Marten had wandered into the hotel grounds giving them an excellent view as it scavenged round the bins.

Day 8 Saturday 15th September

We began the day’s birding with a sea watch at Piaski and a glance towards the Russian border with its fortified fence stretching across the beach and extending into the sea. Eleven Great Egrets migrating westwards offshore and three Arctic Skuas were the best birds seen. Beach-combing unearthed fragments of amber to those with a keen eye for its orange lustre. As we were about to leave Piaski our passage was blocked by a troop of seven Wild Boars foraging in the gutter for acorns. We piled off the coach to enjoy the closest encounter possible with such wild animals. Shutters clicked furiously! Amongst the entertaining photographs taken were ones showing a Wild Boar using a zebra crossing, Abbey Road style. Our next birding location was by the Krynica Yacht Club where a walk along the edge of the lagoon produced two Hobbies and a Sparrowhawk, while a late Cuckoo was a surprise.

That concluded the wildlife aspects of the trip and now it was time to dabble in a little culture. At midday we set off towards Gdańsk taking a break for lunch on the way. An hour of wandering around the main thoroughfares was sufficient as a taster to this architecturally fascinating city. Most of the group indulged in a little amber and

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

gift shopping and there was much consuming of ice-cream! On the journey back to Krynica Morska a White- tailed Eagle flew low across our path. Not a bad way to finish the day!

Day 9 Sunday 16th September

The bus was loaded ready for a 9am departure for the 340km drive to Warsaw, It was another glorious day of sunny, warm and uplifting weather, just as it had been every day of the tour. A mid-morning break at a service area was at a fortuitous time as 26 Common Cranes were passing overhead. We made good progress as traffic was light. Looking for Roe Deer was a way of passing the time up until the outskirts of Warsaw. After dropping most of the group off at the airport Wacek took the remainder of the group, who were staying for an extra night, into the city. The flight was on time and all too soon we were saying goodbyes as we dispersed to all parts of the country after a really productive and enjoyable trip

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Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (=recorded but not counted; H = heard only) September Common Name Scientific name 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 Hazel Grouse Tetrastes bonasia H 2 Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 2 3 Greylag Goose Anser anser    4 Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 2 5 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 2 5   6 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 5 7 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata 2 2 8 Gadwall Mareca strepera    9 Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope    10 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 4 3      11 Northern Pintail Anas acuta 5 12 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca   4 13 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 30  14 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 4  1 15 Greater Scaup Aythya marila 6 16 Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 2  17 Goosander Mergus merganser  18 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  19 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus    5 20 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis  21 White Stork Ciconia ciconia 1 22 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea H 2 1 1 1   2 23 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo   2 5    24 Great Egret Ardea alba 1 12 1 4 7 2 15 2 25 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1 2 26 White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla 2 2 5 5 1 1 1 27 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 2 4 3 2 2 1 28 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 1 29 Black Kite Milvus migrans 1 30 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 2 1 1 2 31 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 7 2 4 1 4 3 1 5 6 32 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina 1 1 1 33 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga 2 34 Peregrine Falco peregrinus 1 35 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 2 2 2 36 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra    37 Common Crane Grus grus  70 23 26 38 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 1 39 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 4     40 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 2 41 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2 1 1 1 42 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 3 43 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 1 44 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 8 45 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 1 46 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1 47 Red Knot Calidris canutus 1

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

September Common Name Scientific name 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 48 Dunlin Calidris alpina  49 Ruff Calidris pugnax 3 50 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus      51 Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus  52 Common Gull Larus canus   53 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus    54 European Herring Gull Larus argentatus    55 Yellow-legged Gull. Larus michahellis 1 56 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus    57 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 3 58 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis  6 59 Common Tern Sterna hirundo  10 60 Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 3 61 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia          62 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus         63 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto         64 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 65 Tawny Owl Strix aluco H H 1 H 66 Eurasian Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum 1 67 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 1 68 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dryobates minor 1 H H H 69 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocoptes medius H 2 70 White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos 2 71 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 3 2 3 1 3 3 H 72 Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus 1 73 Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius H H H 74 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 1 H 75 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 2 2 76 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor 1 2 77 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 1  2       78 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 5 2      79 Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes 1 80 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula        81 Rook Corvus frugilegus    82 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix       83 Northern Raven Corvus corax 1  2 1 84 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris 1 1 2 85 Willow Tit Poecile montanus H 2 86 Coal Tit Periparus ater 2 1 87 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus 2 2 88 Great Tit Parus major 1 2 1   89 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 2 3 1   90 Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus 2 91 Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus 1 92 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis H 93 Sand Martin Riparia riparia   94 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica         95 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum    96 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus H 97 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1 2 1 1 4 H 1 98 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 3

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

September Common Name Scientific name 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 99 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 2 1 H H 100 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 1 1 101 Goldcrest Regulus regulus  102 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H 2 103 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea 6    H 104 Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris 1 1 105 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 10        106 Common Blackbird Turdus merula H 1 1 1 2 107 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 5 2 108 Redwing Turdus iliacus 3 109 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 10 1 110 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1 2 1 1 111 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 2 2 2 4 2 112 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 2 113 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 1 114 House Sparrow Passer domesticus       115 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 1   116 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 3 5      117 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 3 2 118 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs         119 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris  120 Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus H   121 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 5  122 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 1 6 2 2 1 3 123 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 1 2   124 Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 1 4 2 1

Mammals (E = evidence of presence, D = dead) 1 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes 1 1D 2 1 1 2 Red Deer Cervus elaphus 2 H 3 Elk Alces alces E E 1 4 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus 1 1 3 10 1 2 5 Wild Boar Sus scrofa E 1 7 6 European Bison Bison bonasus 19 7 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris 1 8 Bank Vole Myodes glareolus 2 9 Wolf Canis lupus E 10 Shrew sp Sorex sp 2D 1D 1D 11 Mole Talpa europaeus E E 12 Fallow Deer Dama dama 1 13 Beech Marten Martes foina 1 14 Grey seal Halichoerus grypus 1

Reptiles & Amphibians 1 Marsh Frog Plectrophenax ridibundus 1 1   1 2 Agile frog Rana dalmatina   3 Common Frog Rana temporaria    1 4 Grass Snake Natrix natrix D 1 1 5 Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis 1D

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Other Taxa

Wasp spider, Argiope bruennichi Brown Argus, Aricia agestis Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Small White, Artogea rapae Peacock, Inachis io Pale Clouded Yellow, Colias hyalae Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus Comma, Polygonia c-album Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus Large White, Pieris brassicae Map Butterfly, Araschnia levana Large Copper, Lycaena dispar Wall Brown, Lassiomata megera Queen of Spain Fritillary, Issoria lathonia Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus Camberwell Beauty, Nymphalis antiopa