POWER photo: Styl Beata Chojęta OF SOUTH BALTIC NATURE THE BALTIC SEA COAST The Baltic Sea coast is a unique part of the world’s natural map. The coasts of Europe’s youngest sea are a land of various natural resources, which can and should be used responsibly by tourism, perhaps in its “eco friendly” version. Numerous local forests are a picturesque home for rare species of animals and plants. Starting with mosses and lichens which like the local clean air, through impressive tree stands, to wild birds flying through the sky - we are witnessing miracles at every level. While considering their tourist values, the four regions are particularly worth visiting. ZEMAITIJA Zemaitija is the north-western part of Lithuania, whose numerous natural resources are protected by the National Park established in 1991. It gives a home to the natural beauty of mixed and spruce forests and taiga areas, as well as majestic lakes, creating unique landscapes. It is a perfect environment for educational tourism and allows you to be involved in unique hobbies such as birdwatching. Zemaitija National Park Directorate Didžioji str. 10, Plateliai, LT-90420 Plungės dstr., Lithuania photo: Snowing12 - stock.adobe.com www/zemaitijosnp.lt/en/ photo: Wojciech Zdunek 2 BLEKINGE Blekinge is a region in the south of Sweden, located along the coast of the Baltic Sea, with its capital city Karlskrona. Tourists will find this region interesting not only due to cultural heritage but also its virgin places. The local landscape is a charming combination of arable fields with dense forests, with an abundance of lakes and rivers. It is not a coincidence that Blekinge is called the “garden of Sweden”. Skåne, the southernmost edge of Sweden is another natural treasure of Scandinavia. Here the local nature is protected by three national parks with the largest of them, Söderåsen, protecting the fault block of Kopparhatten as well as its extraordinary natural surroundings of dense deciduous forests and unusual rock formations. You will find here a well-developed network of tourist routes and paths. photo: Наталья Лысенко - stock.adobe.com Swedish Forest Agency Ställverksvägen 5, 372 21 Ronneby, Sweden www.skogsstyrelsen.se/en/ POMORSKIE Pomorskie is a Polish region, distinguished by its diverse and well-preserved ecosystems. The nature of the region is region is protected by two national parks - Słowiński and Bory Tucholskie. About 36 percent of the region is covered by forests bordering on lake districts hosting various species of wild, often rare animals. Each of the four regions has its own unique natural treasures, ready to be explored all year round. You can breathe fresh air, enjoy quite a mild climate and admire the natural monuments remembering hundreds of thousands years of natural history. Whether on a bike or in a boat, with a pair of binoculars or a camera - decide for yourself how you want to spend your time with nature! Pomorskie Tourist Board Wały Jagiellońskie 2a, 80-887 Gdańsk photo: Rafał Skowronek www.prot.gda.pl photo: Park Krajobrazowy, Mierzeja Wiślana 3 BIRDWATCHING POMORSKIE You can draw from nature’s benefits in many ways. Beka reserve, which protects unique terrain on which fauna, out of a total number of more than 270 species, While unobtrusively watching its beauty, we do not you can find rare halophytes, has been marked out. about half of whom nest here, for example the coot, interfere with the life of nature and do not disturb It creates perfect breeding conditions for valuable teal, mallard, common pochard or the greylag goose, its peace, but we commune with it through the act species of wild birds like the dunlin or the citrine the only species of wild goose which nests in this of observation, which is fascinating in itself. The wagtail. Among the inhabitants of the bay you can country. most popular form of observation of wild nature also find sea eagles, lapwings, common redshanks, is birdwatching, and the Pomorskie Region is an common snipes, pheasants or mute swans. Specially created viewpoints can provide perfect exceptionally attractive area for bird-watchers, conditions for observation of sea birds . In Jastrzębia thanks to such places as the Zalew Wiślany [Vistula An important point on any ornithological map of Góra, from a viewpoint 3-5 metres above the seashore, Lagoon], the Ostoja Ujścia Wisły [Vistula Estuary Poland is also the Słowiński Park Narodowy [Słowiński you can comfortably watch bird migration and even sanctuary], Zatoka Pucka [Puck Bay] and Słowiński National Park] which, not by accident, has in its logo – with the help of binoculars – identify the most Park Narodowy [Słowiński National Park]. a European herring gull flying proudly over the coast. interesting species from a distance. In Kąty Rybackie These birds constitute the richest part of the Park’s you will find a very good viewpoint from which to watch wild birds – primarily cormorants but also other species, mainly of seabirds. A special place on the Mierzeja Wiślana [Vistula Spit] is the popular Góra Pirata [Pirate’s Mountain], on which there is a recently built observation tower that is beautifully situated halfway between Krynica Morska and Piaski – from here you can see from here both the Zalew Wiślany [Vistula Lagoon] and the Baltic Sea, and - with good weather conditions - even Frombork and the towers of the basilica in Braniewo. The birds of the Słowiński Park Narodowy [Słowiński National Park] can be observed perfectly from Rowokół hill, also called the Święta Góra Słowińców [Slovincians’ Sacred Mountain], due to its former connection with pagan beliefs. The tower on this hill, 115-metres above sea-level, ensures views of the moving dunes stretching into the distance, the Baltic Sea, lakes Łebsko and Gardno, fields and meadows located further inland, and the village of Smołdzino situated at the foot of the hill. It is not a secret that birdwatching is an option for patient people who love nature, understand its demands and are humble towards it. It is worth changing your pace of life for a slower one, at least for one day. photo: Ireneusz Florczyk The coast of the Zatoka Pucka [Puck Bay] is an especially valuable place for bird-watchers in the Pomorskie Region. The Zalew Wiślany [Vistula Lagoon] is a true El Dorado for observers of winged creatures, and here you can find one of the biggest nesting sites of the great cormorant in Europe, as well as around 150 other nesting species (such as the grey heron, red-crested pochard, greylag goose and sea eagle). Closer to Gdańsk, the Ostoja Ujścia Wisły [Vistula Estuary sanctuary] is rich in sites where you can find rare water and marsh bird species. Here, in the Mewia Łacha [Seagull Backwaters] reserve and Ptasi Raj [Birds’ Paradise] you can come across - during different seasons - various species of terns, seagulls, swans or oystercatchers. An area which combines special tourism assets with treasures is the Zatoka Pucka [Puck Bay] where the photo: Isavira - stock.adobe.com 4 BIRDWATCHING HUNTING WITH A CAMERA In the coniferous forests of Kwidzyn, you can spot The offer includes: Price: not only Deer, Boar, or Moose, but also predators – • three-day hunting with a camera (6-8 h) with a guide, 1 500 PLN per person (for a group of max. 3) wolves are increasingly seen, and recently even golden • 2 early morning departures (before the sunrise) 1 400 PLN per person (for a group of 4-5) jackals. The fields around the forests are full of hares and 1 afternoon departure, and pheasants, and more and more you can spot • a hot meal in the bosom of nature, Contact us: a partridge running from under your feet. In the nearby • stay and HB in Pensjonat Iskra, Stajnia ISKRA swamps common cranes have their nests raptors in • horse riding and a lesson about horse maintenance Łąkowa 19, 82-400 Sztumskie Pole their turn nest in the treetops. in a stable under the watchful eye of an instructor, phone: +48 512 666 120 • access to the property’s facilities (fishing, e-mail: [email protected] The variety of habitats – from coniferous pine forests trampolines, playground, hammock, game saloon, www.stajniaiskra.pl to fertile, thick deciduous forests, in-forest meadows or fireplace room), numerous lakes and streams – is a great background • 24 h coffee-tea service, for preserving and observing animals, and this in itself • accommodation and board (4 meals) in Pensjonat is equally perfect photograph material. Guides in this Iskra, world are foresters who know the local areas perfectly, • airport pick-up (+ 650 PLN), and are nature enthusiasts. • service in English. photo: W. Woch 5 HUNTING POMORSKIE There are not many areas in Europe so welcoming to rivers Brda, Czernica and Biała. Deer, fallow deer, roe and abroad to this corner of Pomorskie. Other species hunting as Pomorskie forests. Local forest districts deer and boar are examples of numerous big game living in the forests of Kociewie include moose and and breeding centres in various corners of the region animals present here, and they are supplemented by various small game species, including foxes, hares, offer professional help in preparing hunting outings small game species like fox, badger, marten, European pheasants, partridges, badgers and martens. with respect for laws and safety rules. polecat, hare, rabbit, woodcock, wood pigeon, partridge, coot and various wild ducks. Amateurs who are looking for an unusually located A highlight of the Nadleśnictwo Kwidzyn [Kwidzyn place for hunting should be interested in the terrain Forest District] is the “Otters” Ośrodek Hodowli In the north of Kashubia you can find a friendly area for of the Nadleśnictwo Elbląg [Elbląg Forest District], Zwierzyny Wydry [Animal Breeding Centre]. With hunting in the Nadleśnictwo Wejherowo [Wejherowo situated on a narrow strip of land - called the Mierzeja a total area of almost 14 thousand hectares, as well Forest District].