Poland in Autumn

Naturetrek Tour Report 5 – 13 September 2015

Penduline Tit by Peter Tonkin Wild Boar by Des Kington

Marsh Gentian by Rob Murray White-backed Woodpecker by Sally Voges

Report compiled by Rob Murray

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

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Tour Participants: Rob Murray (Naturetrek) & Andrezj Petryna (Local Guide) with 16 Naturetrek clients

Summary

The aim of this particular Naturetrek tour to Poland was to explore three diverse habitats in three culturally different regions of this wildlife-rich country. Dense and extensive primeval forests with towering trees cover much of the Białowieża area. Our patience and persistence teased out the specialities so successfully that we enjoyed captivating views of seven species of woodpecker, a Pygmy Owl, and the enigmatic European Bison. The extensive wetlands and meadows of the Briebrza National Park attracted flocks of trumpeting Common Cranes and eagles began to feature more prominently here with Lesser Spotted and White-tailed gracing the skies. It was a thrill to find lumbering, bizarrely shaped Elks visible one minute then melting into the reeds the next. Driving to the north coast and the sandy Baltic shores took us over glacial outwash plains carpeted with drumlins, eskers and glacial outwash deposits. Shorebirds and wildfowl now entered our daily log as we trudged along the tide-line with one eye on the lookout for migrating birds and the other focussed on the strand hoping to stumble upon a sizeable chunk of amber valuable enough to fund retirement. An after-dark foray along the streets and woodland fringes rewarded us with unbelievably close encounters with Wild Boars and Red Foxes.

Although we were constantly mindful of our target birds, we also enjoyed discovering a full range of wildlife from beautiful butterflies, exquisite flowers, ubiquitous frogs and an impressive list of mammals, not to mention the gigantic bracket fungi and dancing dragonflies. We were served prodigious feasts of typical Polish cuisine and had no choice but to abandon dietary caution. Cultural aspects were not ignored and a brief visit to the delightful city of Gdańsk was a pleasant way to end our Polish experience and to stimulate the desire to return.

Day 1 Saturday 5th September

Finding each other at Heathrow was a surprisingly easy task thanks to the distinctive Naturetrek luggage labels. Group members were able to chat before boarding our flight to Warsaw. Andrezj met us at the airport and soon we were off to explore eastern Poland. We stopped for a set lunch at a roadside hotel then continued along back roads to a reserve at Mołożew on the banks of the River Bug. There were fewer birds than expected because there has been no rain for six weeks. The river was low and the marshes were dry. A Green Sandpiper and a flock of Blue-headed Wagtails were the highlights. However, it was a most welcome break from the long journey. We arrived at the Unikat Hotel in time for dinner at 7pm.

Day 2 Sunday 6th September

The day began with a magnificent White-backed Woodpecker feeding at the base of the apple tree by the hotel's garden. It was joined by a Great Spotted Woodpecker enabling a clear comparison to be made between the two species. Two Black Redstarts were also in the yard and a few Tree Sparrows too. This morning we walked along a forest trail loop at Wysokie Bagno. It is only 3.6 kilometres but packed with interest. The highlight was indisputably the discovery of two adults and one juvenile Black Woodpecker preening and loitering in a decaying tree. We heard the evocative calls and exceedingly loud drumming of the male. It is both a visual and auditory delight to spend time in the territory of these impressive birds which are just as active in autumn as they are in spring.

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

A Hawfinch sat obligingly in the open for a considerable period of time enabling all of us to view it through a telescope before it flew off. Red Squirrels were also a feature of our walks today as they fattened up on the autumn nut and seed crops. There was much evidence of the presence of larger but more secretive animals. We identified tracks of Wild Boars, Red Deer and Roe Deer. There were scats of Hedgehog and Pine Marten but absolutely no signs of the beasts themselves. A huge pile of pine needle was the nest of a Wood Ant colony. It was protected by a fence to keep Wild Boars at their distance. The next venue for our scrutiny was The Palace Park on the edge of the village. It is a picturesque location steeped in history and very attractive to wildlife. Today it was rather quiet and yielded only a Kingfisher or two.

We returned to the hotel for lunch to fortify us for the walk to the bridges at Kosy Most. Unfortunately, some of the paths were closed due to it being the mating season for rumbustious Bison. However, we had an enjoyable stroll to a stream frequented by Beavers. Evidence of their lumber-jacking skills was clear to see. Woodpeckers were tantalisingly elusive. We heard Lesser Spotted and Middle Spotted but saw neither. A Hazel Hen flew across the track and up into a tree as we were driving out, but it was only seen by a lucky few. It was now time to relocate to our first Pygmy Owl site so that we were in position as dusk approached. Despite a sustained and patient effort, we elicited no response from the owl so we called it a day and returned to the hotel for a late dinner. We will try again at a different location tomorrow night.

Day 3 Monday 7th September

There had been overnight rain but although it was cloudy around dawn, the rain held off. As we passed a garden full of seeding sunflowers, we were enthralled by the aggregation of passerines feeding on the ripe seeds. We walked around the fields in search of Bison but found none initially. We enjoyed superb views of a range of raptors including an imposing Lesser Spotted Eagle which perched on a bushy tree. A Montagu's Harrier was an unexpected treat, as were two Great Grey Shrikes.

It was now time for breakfast, and then we departed for the Strict Reserve where we were to be escorted by Arek through a truly spectacular ancient woodland. However, progress was interrupted as a bull Bison was spotted standing in a meadow by the forest. He was of impressive proportions! We assembled before the imposing wooden gates that delineated the reserve's boundary and appeared like the entrance to Jurassic Park. Jays scalded us with witch-like cackles imploring us not to enter this forbidden world of wolves and the mighty bison. It was like entering the dank, dark domain of ‘The Wild Wood’ that Ratty implored Mole and Badger not to enter. Trees of familiar species such as Lime, Alder, Oak, Hornbeam and Maple have stretched up to immense heights, reaching lofty positions unrealised in Britain. The forest is not managed, but left to its own devices and consequently its biodiversity is astounding. We were grovelling around decaying tree trunks in search of exotic fungi, then straining our necks skywards to appreciate various species of woodpeckers. Black Woodpeckers and a very obliging White-backed Woodpecker allowed prolonged views. It proved to be a most successful visit for mammals. Two Red Deer stared at us from a safe distance. A Red Fox loitered on the path and a Pine Marten gave brief views, but intense satisfaction to the fortunate few who saw it. Those of us engaged in the distracting pursuit of sniffing the leaves of Water Mint missed it!

The afternoon was spent in the vicinity of Siemianówka Lake but most birds were too distant to identify accurately. Great White Egrets were certainly common with a count in excess of 50 individuals. One more scheduled stop in the forest met with immediate success. A very obliging Three-toed Woodpecker hammered at

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Poland in Autumn Tour Report

a dead spruce tree for long enough to display all of its features (except for the toes!) Just ten of the group opted for another shot at unearthing a Pygmy Owl this evening. We descended upon an unsuspecting owl at Wysokie Bagno and enjoyed a wonderful experience in its company as it squatted on a dead branch in gloomy light but in full view.

Day 4 Tuesday 8th September

The early risers had dwindled to three this morning, but the pre-breakfast walk into The Palace Park yielded some very good birds. A White-backed Woodpecker was hacking at an exposed dead tree and a Middle Spotted Woodpecker allowed a very close approach. In both cases the diagnostic features were fully appreciated. A Crested Tit began calling and was soon located in a pine tree. There was an impressive passage of Swallows. After breakfast, we packed our bags and began the long drive to our next base at Kiermusy. It was raining quite heavily when we arrived at Dojlidy Fishponds. The downpours had encouraged many Marsh Frogs and Roman Snails to break from cover. There were over 50 Great White Egrets here. A Goshawk was perched in a nearby tree and took flight as we approached. Two Hobbies darted across the sky as scores of Swallows skimmed the water surface in an attempt to continue feeding despite the poor weather. A family party of Whooper Swans was an attractive find. One of the juveniles bore a yellow neck ring. Penduline and Bearded Tits stayed low in the Phragmites beds. The group waited very patiently for them to clamber to the top of the stems amongst the seed heads. Interesting plants growing here included Squirting Cucumbers and Touch-Me-Not Balsam.

Driving on towards out next hotel led us past open expanses of harvested grain where 11 Common Cranes had interrupted their southward migration to feed. The village of Tykocin has a fascinating history. We saw the old Synagogue and heard about the traumas the town's population had to endure during successive invasions. Nearby lies a series of active fish ponds which we explored fully. It was a wise choice as here we enjoyed spectacular birding. There were thousands of Lapwings and, mingling with them, we identified Ruff, Snipe, Spotted Redshanks and Dunlin. One of the Ruffs was virtually white and stood out conspicuously. Suddenly, an Osprey flew in carrying a fish in torpedo fashion. A second bird was seen later. Other raptors included Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Marsh Harrier and a Black Kite. For most the best sighting of the day was of an unexpected Hoopoe which flew past us and was later relocated on the rough ground at the bottom of a dried-out pool. A live Mole Cricket was an interesting find. Its front legs are remarkably well adapted for excavating underground tunnels which it did with considerable speed after it tired of being repositioned for photographs. It was only a thirty minute drive to Keirmusy and the sanctity of our next guest house. The evening meal was indeed a prodigious feast. There was so much food that we left a huge proportion of it untouched. After what turned out to be a riotously amusing log of the day's sightings we retired for much-needed sleep.

Day 5 Wednesday 9th September

Today we completed a full circuit of the Biebrza Marshes. As we always try to combine wildlife and culture, it was with pleasure that we accommodated the request of several group members for a sojourn in the historical town of Tykocin. There is a monument in the square to a Polish general who fought against the invading Swedish army, and there is a synagogue as a sad reminder of Jewish persecution in the Second World War. A large lake called Jezioro Zygmunta Augusto was the next stop. It lies close to the village of Czechowizna. Here we walked up onto a hillock in a field to gain improved views of the lake, reed beds and surrounding forests. It wasn't long before a White-tailed Eagle sailed into view, appearing like the mythical Roc in its enormity. Three of

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

these imposing raptors graced the sunny sky above the lake. An Osprey played a sound supporting role and Marsh Harriers were competent extras. It was an ideal day for birds of prey to be active as thermals were established and a breeze gave uplift to tired wings. A Black Stork was also taking advantage of the rising air as it soared like its congeners over the wood. Furrows of gentle blue Larkspur marked the field boundaries and larvae of the Colorado beetle adhered to potato plant leaves. The most attractive insects of the day were a pair of Queen of Spain Fritillaries mating.

From the viewing platform at Goniądz we noted a Lesser Spotted Eagle soaring over the patchwork of cultivated fields and marshes. We walked from the bridge on the River Narew for three kilometres to Wolka. A session of viewing from the tower hide yielded a Red-backed Shrike and two distant Elk. One of the marshy fields supports a thriving population of Marsh Gentians which were in flower and looking resplendent in the morning sunshine. A Red Fox was observed hunting in the tussocks of grass. It pounced on an unsuspecting item of prey which was probably a vole. The marsh at Osowiec was dry so we paused only for lunch. Common Cranes appeared in small groups on the fields as we cruised along the by-roads. A coffee break taken by the river at Brzostowo was timely as it was raining and there was shelter available. We watched tractors and cattle fording the river as a variety of raptors passed overhead.

A drive a little further southwards brought us to the hamlet of Burzyn where a large hide overlooks the meandering River Biebrza and its extensive marshes. It is a spectacular view. Almost immediately the black, lumbering form of a male Elk was discernible in the distance. Two more were found by patient scanning. Remarkably, several Red Foxes were out in the open hunting rodents in the grass. We witnessed one perform the classic leap and pounce upon a hapless rodent which was dispatched within seconds. Then an Osprey flew along the river peering down into the silver thread of clear water. It plunged and seized a sizeable fish which it carried as a torpedo back to its favoured perch nearby. It hacked at the struggling fish gulping down chunks of succulent flesh without spilling a myotome. The attendant Magpies had hoped for at least a morsel of its prize. It felt as if we were guests in the circle of a theatre watching the enactment of the best wildlife clips. None of us wanted to leave this spectacular show. As we were driving back to the hotel, a tight flock of about 130 Common Cranes flew across the road calling wildly. What a dramatic end to a superb day!

Day 6 Thursday 10th September

Early risers benefitted this eerie, misty morning, as there had been a fall of migrants. Pied Flycatchers, Common Redstarts, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Tree Pipits were much in evidence within a small coniferous shelter belt. Common Cranes were calling from deep within the swirling mist that hung over the marshes. Resident birds such as Great Spotted, Middle Spotted, Green and Black Woodpeckers were located in the vicinity of the hotel.

We left at 9am for the long drive to the Baltic coast which would take us through the Masurian landscape of glacial outwash features. Drumlins are especially prominent and lakes abound. 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. Fortunately, many birds were on this side of the lake. Two White- tailed Eagles, two Lesser Spotted Eagles and a Marsh Harrier put on a superb display. Sixty Great White Egrets and numerous Mute Swans were scattered over the shallow water. This was indeed a picturesque locality for lunch. It was now driving all the way with counting Roe Deer as the main form of entertainment.

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Poland in Autumn Tour Report

We arrived at Krynica Morksa at 6pm and the sun was still shining! Fortified by complimentary vodkas we sauntered along the pavements of the village after dinner in search of nocturnal wildlife. Wild Boars forage in the immediate vicinity of our hotel. Dense woodland flanks the road and after dusk, as the witching hour approaches, dark demons slip nonchalantly out of their forested domain to intrude upon the human thoroughfares. Wind blown acorns and toppled waste bins lure the boars on to the verges where they forage in earnest. At the edge of a wooded stretch of road, something rustled. A beam of street light caught its movement and illuminated a foraging Red Fox. Further on up the road, our attention was focused on a well lit, cobbled side street. Wild Boars were scratching about for scraps. Although we initially employed our most disciplined of field craft techniques, the Wild Boars disregarded us and continued snuffling the ground oblivious to our very close proximity. It was indeed a privilege to be able to observe them behaving and interacting quite naturally. There were five adults and six quite independent piglets. It was a captivating sight enjoyed by all.

Day 7 Friday 11th September

The pre-breakfast walk was well attended this morning. The chosen route wound through the pine woods and along the open sandy shore of the Baltic coast. At the start we stopped abruptly and stood silently watching Roe Deer and Fallow Deer crossing the path. The Fallow Deer buck sported most impressive, spatulate antlers. The weather was glorious but that accounted for the lack of migratory birds which would have continued southwards without pausing.

After breakfast we walked from Mikoszewo up the new Vistula river to the mouth and along the amber beach to the inland track through woodland to complete the circuit. This really was natural history at its best. We encountered a rich biodiversity from Grass Snakes, Slow Worm and Common Lizard to White-tailed Eagles, Grey Seals and bizarre caterpillars. One Grey Seal ensnared an unwary fish and crunched it up in its formidable jaws. There was evidence of very recent Beaver activity. Gnawed off trees and flattened vegetation provided the clues. We all became ethologists for a while as we studied the behaviour of a juvenile, female Great Spotted Woodpecker. She plucked a green cone with a deft flick of her dagger-like bill and flew to a deeply incised crevice where she wedged the cone ready for hammering. The cone was hacked to reveal and remove the seeds. It was then dislodged and flung to the ground only to be replaced by a fresh one. This behaviour entertained us for a long time. The lagoon held a fascinating number and diversity of birds but the least expected was a flock of 10 Red-necked Phalaropes bobbing and twirling as they picked plankton from the surface. Many local people were digging and scratching at the sand; some made deep excavations in the hope of unearthing that huge chunk of Amber that would secure their future. We collected only minute fragments of this intriguing fossilised pine resin.

We called in at the hotel at 3pm for a comfort stop before continuing eastwards along the spit to a viewpoint on a hill. Here we were again able to observe the techniques used by a woodpecker in extracting pine seeds. A Hobby flashed past. Then a Black Woodpecker revealed itself. Finally for today we visited Piaski, the last Polish town on the spit before the Russian border. It was a little disconcerting when text messages came through welcoming us to Russia. Piaski is well known for its bold and confiding Wild Boars which often scavenge around the town in broad daylight. Six came out to surprise us at very close quarters!

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Day 8 Saturday 12th September

This morning it was windy and very dull as the stalwarts of the group ventured out at 6.30am to search for migrants. There was a good passage of Siskins and strangely enough Blue Tits and Coal Tits too. A few Fieldfares and two Pied Flycatchers were also newly arrived. A Penduline Tit was heard in the reeds by the lagoon at the back of the hotel. The wind made it very awkward to find birds so we turned back.

After breakfast we made for the old Vistula river area and the Ptasi Raj reserve. We had to cross the new channel by ferry. There were hundreds of Sand Martins, Swallows and a few House Martins skimming the surface of the river and a Grey Seal swam downstream. As we walked along the river bank, the wind dropped and the rain ceased. This gave ideal conditions for finding Penduline Tits and Bearded Tits. We secured excellent views of four Pendulines but only brief views of Beardeds. A White-tailed Eagle headed out towards the sea and, yet again, this species eluded all attempts by our photographers to shoot a decent picture. Walking through the woods to a couple of hides overlooking the lagoons produced much less than expected. A Red Squirrel brightened things up and a couple of Crested Tits were welcome but otherwise it was very quiet. A brief sojourn in Gdańsk gave us time to appreciate the distinctive architecture of the main thoroughfare and to peer into the countless Amber shops and street cafés.

Day 9 Sunday 13th September

A couple of keen birders went down to the beach at first light and explored the vicinity of the hotel, hoping to find some migrants. Song Thrushes and Siskins were on the move and Penduline Tits had gathered in the reed bed. A confiding Red Fox approached one observer very closely and seemed completely unperturbed. We began the 340km journey back to Warsaw at 9.20am and made two stops for a comfort break and for lunch. We arrived at the airport at 3.30pm giving us plenty of time to check in and say goodbye to Andrzej who now faced a three hour train journey back to his home area in southern Poland. He had been a superb guide and friend to us all. Andrzej quietly gets things done. He surreptitiously consulted his network of naturalist spies to glean the latest information concerning the whereabouts of our target species. Without his knowledge, we would not have found Bison and several of the sought-after woodpeckers. Andrzej knows his country’s history and wildlife intimately and readily answered all of our questions with tremendous patience. Our flight touched down on time and all that remained was to say farewell to each other after a splendid trip full of wildlife encounters.

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Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (H = heard only)

September Bird Species Scientific name 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1 Greylag Goose Anser anser 23 35 2 2 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1 11 9 100+ 50 55 3 Whooper Swan Cygnus Cygnus 45 4 Gadwall Anas strepera 10 5 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 6 9 5 6 2 6 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 24 14 12 100s 100s 100s 100s 20 7 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata 15 1 8 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 10 25 9 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 1 3 10 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 6 20 40 11 Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 5 2 12 Goosander (Common Merganser) Mergus merganser 30 4 13 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 8 6 14 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 4 20 25 2 6 15 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 1 16 White Stork Ciconia ciconia 1 17 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 5 1 20 20 2 3 1 2 18 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 40 10 15 50 6 19 Great Egret Ardea alba 56 50 60 1 20 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 2 3 21 European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus 1 22 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 5 4 8 9 3 1 1 1 23 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 1 24 Black Kite Milvus migrans 1 1

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

September Bird Species Scientific name 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 25 White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla 2 3 4 6 1 26 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 2 4 5 1 3 27 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 1 28 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 4 1 3 33 6 2 3 5 29 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina 4 2 2 30 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 3 1 2 1 31 Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus 1 32 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 2 2 1 2 33 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus H 34 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 4 3 35 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 200+ 2 15 36 Common Crane Grus grus 11 145 5 37 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 12 100+ 100s 100s 100+ 38 European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 1 50 39 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 2 40 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 6 41 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 20 42 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 2 43 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 7 44 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 1 45 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 2 1 46 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1 47 Red Knot Calidris cantus 15 48 Sanderling Calidris alba 4 49 Dunlin Calidris alpina 3 1 12 50 Ruff Philomachus pugnax 20 51 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus 10

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Poland in Autumn Tour Report

September Bird Species Scientific name 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 52 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 50 4 6 30 25 53 Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus 3 54 Common Gull Larus canus 1 1 2 55 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2 70 5 56 European Herring Gull Larus argentatus 10 57 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 2 2 4 1 58 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 20 3 59 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2 20 1 60 Black Tern Chlidonias niger 4 61 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia 50 1 30 40 100+ 50 10 100+ 70 62 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 8 6 4 4 20 9 30 20 63 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 10 1 20 24 10 30 2 64 Eurasian Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum 1 65 Common Swift Apus apus 1 4 66 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 2 1 1 67 Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 68 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor H 69 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius H H 1 1 70 White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos 1 2 1 71 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 15 4 1 1 7 4 7 72 Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus 1 73 Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius 3 3 1 2 H 74 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 1 1 75 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 3 4 76 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor 1 3 1 1 77 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 2 10 8 5 20 20 5 2 7 78 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 5 1 6 35 12 20 5

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

September Bird Species Scientific name 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 79 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula 50 20 100+ 100+ 25 100+ 80 Rook Corvus frugilegus 60 30 3 55 81 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix 6 1 40 2 20 10 20 82 Northern Raven Corvus corax 23 5 2 2 8 2 8 3 2 83 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris 7 5 4 6 1 2 84 Willow Tit Poecile montanus 1 1 1 6 85 Coal Tit Periparus ater H 15 30 15 86 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus H 1 1 1 2 2 87 Great Tit Parus major 2 8 2 2 15 12 12 88 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 6 12 2 6 2 20 40 4 89 Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus 4 8 4 90 Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus 2 H 2 91 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 1 8 4 1 92 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 2 1 1 100 93 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 150 40 35 100s 100s 100s 100+ 100+ 30 94 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum 11 5 2 20 95 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 6 0 96 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 1 2 97 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 6 2 6 2 6 2 98 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 1 99 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 2 2 100 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 3 1 1 H 101 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 1 102 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 103 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 1 104 Goldcrest Regulus regulus 1 2 H 105 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H 1 1

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Poland in Autumn Tour Report

September Bird Species Scientific name 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 106 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea 5 7 2 2 2 4 107 Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris 1 2 108 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 100 4 50 100s 100+ 30 50 109 Common Blackbird Turdus merula 4 8 3 2 1 1 110 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 7 6 111 Redwing Turdus iliacus 6 112 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1 1 2 17 113 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 2 1 3 1 2 1 114 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 2 2 2 3 6 1 115 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 2 116 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 117 European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 2 2 3 118 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 6 25 20 20 20 25 119 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 5 1 2 2 120 Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava flava 8 121 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 5 4 10 30 9 10 25 12 6 122 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 1 2 2 123 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs H 10 12 1 4 2 1 124 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris 8 125 Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 12 30 40 40 126 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 15 10 8 127 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina 5 2 40 10 128 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula H 129 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 2 130 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 4 4 12 131 Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 2

Poland in Autumn Tour Report

September Bird Species Scientific name 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Mammals

1 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes 1 7 1 1 2 Fallow Deer Dama dama 1 1 3 Red Deer Cervus elaphus 2 2 4 Elk Alces alces 3 5 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus 2 2 8 3 2 4 6 Wild Boar Sus scrofa 1 8 11 6 7 European Bison Bison bonasus 1 8 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris 5 3 1 1 9 Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus 3 1 10 Brown Hare Lepus europaeus 2 11 Pine Marten Martes martes 1

Butterflies

Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus Small White, Pieris rapae Large White, Pieris brassicae Green-veined White, Pieris napi Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas Common Blue, Polyommatus Icarus Large Copper, Lycaena dispar Comma, Polygonia c-album Small Tortoisehell, Aglais urticae Queen of Spain Fritillary, Issoria lathonia Marbled White, Melanargia galathea Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina Speckled Wood, Parage aegeria

Dragonflies

Vagrant Darter, Sympetrum vulgatum Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum Ruddy Darter, Sympetrum sanguinea Migrant Hawker, Aeshna mixta

Other Insects

Hornet, Vespa crabro Mole Cricket, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa

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Poland in Autumn Tour Report

Reptiles & Amphibians

Fire bellied toad, Bombina bombina Common Lizard, Zootoca vivipara Slow worm, Anguilis fragilis Grass snake, Natrix natrix Common Frog, Rana temporaria Common toad, Bufo bufo Marsh frog, Pelophylax ridibundus