Important Bird Areas in –

■ POLAND

MACIEJ GROMADZKI AND MARIA WIELOCH

Bia³owie¿a forest (IBA 031). (PHOTO: PAWE£ OLAF SID£O)

GENERAL INTRODUCTION from 1989 that still meet current IBA criteria are largely unchanged in extent, although the numbering system and many of the site Poland covers about 312,700 km2 within the temperate forest zone names have been altered. of Europe. It is a low-lying country, with only 9% of its land surface above 300 m, although mountain ranges in the south (dominated by the Western Carpathians) rise up to a maximum of 2,499 m. ORNITHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE Poland has a population of 38,612,000 (1996 estimate), with a moderate overall population density of 124 people per km2, the A total of 128 species of European conservation concern (SPEC) highest densities being in the southern upland areas and the lowest breed regularly in Poland (Tucker and Heath 1994). In addition, in the north-west and north-east. 24 SPECs do not breed but are regular visitors to the country on A total of 77 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are currently passage or in winter. recognised in Poland, covering 19,867 km2 or equivalent to about Six species of global conservation concern breed in Poland 6.4% of the land surface (Table 1). The IBAs are distributed more (Table 2)—Aythya nyroca, Haliaeetus albicilla, Aquila clanga, Crex or less evenly over the whole country, but with a preponderance in crex, Gallinago media and Acrocephalus paludicola. The most the east and north. The previous pan-European IBA inventory important site for Aythya nyroca is the Barycz river valley (site 054), (Grimmett and Jones 1989) listed 126 sites for Poland—thus, a where 20–30% of the national population breed. All of the breeding relatively large number of these have since lost their IBA status Aquila clanga in Poland nest in the river valley (site 025), (see Table 1), especially since 19 of the current 77 sites are as do most of the national population of Acrocephalus paludicola completely new IBAs. This is mainly because the IBA criteria have (Table 2). The number of breeding Crex crex in Poland, currently been revised since 1989—only a few of the 1989 sites have lost their estimated at about 30,000 calling males (1997 survey), represents a IBA status because of actual changes in bird numbers at the site. major proportion of the European total, and this species played a Apart from amalgamations of previous IBAs (thirteen now form very important role in identifying IBAs during previous inventories part of current sites 025, 054, 061 and 073), most of the other 54 sites (Grimmett and Jones 1989; Gromadzki et al. 1994).

Table 1. Summary of Important Bird Areas in Poland 77 IBAs covering 19,867 km2 IBA National 1989 code code 1 code International name National name Administrative region Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11) 001 001 PL001 Delta of the Œwina river Delta Œwiny zachodnio-pomorskie 4,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 002 002 PL005 lagoon Zalew Szczecinski zachodnio-pomorskie 48,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 003 004 PL007 Rozwarowo marshes Bagna Rozwarowskie zachodnio-pomorskie 1,600 A1 004 008 PL009 Œwidwie lake Jezioro Œwidwie zachodnio-pomorskie 900 A4i, B1i 005 010 PL011 We³tyñ lakes Jeziora We³tyñskie zachodnio-pomorskie 4,600 B3 006 009 PL010 Lower Odra river valley Dolina Dolnej Odry zachodnio-pomorskie, lubuskie 75,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1iv, B2, B3 007 011 PL012 Miedwie lake Jezioro Miedwie zachodnio-pomorskie 3,200 A4i, B1i

543 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Table 1 ... continued. Summary of Important Bird Areas in Poland 77 IBAs covering 19,867 km2 IBA National 1989 code code 1 code International name National name Administrative region Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11) 008 021 PL013 Iñsk Landscape Park Iñski Park Krajobrazowy zachodnio-pomorskie 17,763 A1, B3 009 013 PL019 S³owiñski National Park S³owiñski Park Narodowy pomorskie 18,247 A4i, B1i 010 023 PL018 S³upia Valley Landscape Park Park Krajobrazowy Dolina S³upi pomorskie 37,040 A1 011 025 — Middle part of Wielki Sandr Brdy pomorskie 38,815 B1i, B2, B3 012 015, 016 PL022 Puck Bay Zatoka Pucka pomorskie 56,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i 013 017 PL023 Wis³a river mouth Ujscie Wis³y pomorskie 485 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 014 018 PL024 Wis³a lagoon Zalew Wiœlany pomorskie, warmiñsko-mazurskie 33,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i 015 019 PL025 Dru¿no lake Jezioro Dru¿no warmiñsko-mazurskie 3,021 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 016 027 PL026 I³awa forests Lasy I³awskie warmiñsko-mazurskie 25,279 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 017 047 PL109 Dymerskie meadows £¹ki Dymerskie warmiñsko-mazurskie 300 A4i, B1i 018 045 PL111 Napiwodzko-Ramucka forest Puszcza Napiwodzko-Ramucka warmiñsko-mazurskie 65,000 A1, B1i, B2, B3 019 020 PL104 Oœwin lake Jezioro Oœwin warmiñsko-mazurskie 2,500 B3 020 050 PL103 Borecka forest Puszcza Borecka warmiñsko-mazurskie 22,000 B2, B3 021 048 PL108 £uknajno lake Jezioro £uknajno warmiñsko-mazurskie 710 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 022 051 PL106 Nietlickie marshes Bagna Nietlickie warmiñsko-mazurskie 1,200 A1, A4i, B1i, B1iv, B2, B3 023 — — forest Puszcza Piska warmiñsko-mazurskie, podlaskie 163,000 A1, B2 024 053 — Augustów forest Puszcza Augustowska podlaskie 102,000 B2, B3 025 083 PL100– Biebrza river valley Dolina Biebrzy podlaskie 126,047 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 PL102 026 084 — river gaps Prze³omowa Dolina Narwi podlaskie 4,200 A1, B2 027 085 PL098 Marshy valley of the Narew river Bagienna Dolina Narwi podlaskie 9,332 A1, B2, B3 028 086 PL099 Knyszyñ forest Puszcza Knyszyñska podlaskie 110,000 B2, B3 029 087 — Gródek—Micha³owo basin Niecka Gródecko—Micha³owska podlaskie 4,700 A1, B2 030 088 — Upper Narew river valley Dolina Górnej Narwi podlaskie 8,400 A1, B2, B3 031 089 PL097 Bia³owie¿a forest Puszcza Bia³owieska podlaskie 62,500 A1, B2, B3 032 030 PL039 flood-plain—S³oñsk Rozlewiska Warty—S³oñsk lubuskie 4,244 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 033 031 PL035 Noteæ river flood-plain Nadnoteckie £êgi wielkopolskie 10,000 A1 034 040 PL033 river flood-plain Wielki £êg Obrzañski wielkopolskie 16,000 B2 035 041 PL045 Wonieœæ reservoir Zbiornik Wonieœæ wielkopolskie 900 B2 036 066 PL031 Middle Warta river valley Dolina Warty Œrodkowej wielkopolskie 32,000 A1, A4iii, B2, B3 037 032 — Ostrówek and Smogulec ponds Stawy Ostrówek i Smogulec kujawsko-pomorskie, 1,000 B1i wielkopolskie 038 033 — Œlesin and Wystêp ponds Stawy Œlesin i Wystêp kujawsko-pomorskie 3,200 A4i, B1i 039 — — Lower Wis³a river Dolina Dolnej Wis³y pomorskie, kujawsko-pomorskie 32,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 040 029 — Marshy valley of the Drwêca river Bagienna Dolina Drwêcy kujawsko-pomorskie 3,400 B1i 041 042 PL034 Gop³o Millennium Park Nadgoplañski Park Tysi¹clecia kujawsko-pomorskie, 12,700 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 wielkopolskie 042 044 PL028 Rakutowskie swamps Blota Rakutowskie kujawsko-pomorskie 800 A4iii, B1i 043 — PL029 Ner river valley Dolina Neru wielkopolskie, ³ódzkie 4,800 A1 044 067 — Jeziorsko reservoir Zbiornik Jeziorsko wielkopolskie, ³ódzkie 4,300 A4i, B1i 045 060 PL122 Kampinos forest Puszcza Kampinoska mazowieckie 35,700 A1, B2, B3 046 061 PL086 Middle Wis³a river valley Dolina Œrodkowej Wis³y lubelskie, mazowieckie 19,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 047 058 PL120 Zegrzyñski reservoir Zalew Zegrzyñski mazowieckie 12,000 A4iii, B1i 048 — PL114 Omulew river valley Dolina Omulwi mazowieckie 6,000 A1, B2 049 059 PL121 Bia³a forest Puszcza Bia³a mazowieckie 120,000 A1, B2 050 063 PL094 Liwiec river valley Dolina Liwca mazowieckie 11,800 A1, B2 051 065 PL095 Lower river valley Dolina Dolnego Bugu lubelskie, mazowieckie, podlaskie 55,000 A1, B2 052 055 PL044 Przemków ponds Stawy Przemkowskie dolnoœl¹skie 1,046 A4iii, B2 053 078 PL046 Odra riverine forests £êgi Odrzañskie dolnoœl¹skie 18,000 A1, B2, B3 054 072–077 PL047– Barycz river valley Dolina Baryczy wielkopolskie, dolnoœl¹skie 25,700 A1, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 PL052 055 ——S³up reservoir Zbiornik S³up dolnoœl¹skie 500 A4i, B1i 056 — — Mietków reservoir Zbiornik Mietkowski dolnoœl¹skie 920 A4i, B1i 057 079 PL053 -hornbeam forests Gr¹dy Odrzanskie opolskie, dolnoœl¹skie 31,000 B2, B3 in the Odra valley 058 080 PL057 Turawa reservoir Jezioro Turawskie opolskie 2,200 A4iii 059 101 PL054 Otmuchów reservoir Jezioro Otmuchowskie opolskie 2,300 A4i, A4iii, B1i 060 102 PL055 Nysa reservoir Jezioro Nyskie (Glêbinowskie) opolskie 3,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i 061 108, 109 PL060, Upper Wis³a river valley Dolina Górnej Wis³y œlaskie, malopolskie 130,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 PL061 062 — — Middle flood-plain Rozlewiska Œrodkowej Nidy œwiêtokrzyskie 2,000 A1 063 105 PL085 Ma³opolska Wis³a river gap Ma³opolski Prze³om Wis³y lubelskie, mazowieckie, 1,300 B2 œwiêtokrzyskie 064 092 PL090 Tyœmienica river valley Dolina Tyœmienicy lubelskie 14,500 A1, B2, B3 065 093 PL084 Parczew forests Lasy Parczewskie lubelskie 8,000 A1, B2

544 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Table 1 ... continued. Summary of Important Bird Areas in Poland 77 IBAs covering 19,867 km2 IBA National 1989 code code 1 code International name National name Administrative region Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11) 066 097 PL082 Bubnów marshes Bagno Bubnów lubelskie 2,104 A1, B2 067 100 — Middle Bug river valley Dolina Œrodkowego Bugu lubelskie 5,100 A1, B2, B3 068 098 PL081 Che³m calcareous marshes Che³mskie Torfowiska Wêglanowe lubelskie 1,700 A1, B2, B3 069 099 — Strzeleckie forests Lasy Strzeleckie lubelskie 8,500 B2, B3 070 110 — Niepo³omice forest Puszcza Niepo³omicka ma³opolskie 11,000 B3 071 116 PL067 Gorce ma³opolskie 7,030 B2, B3 072 115 PL065 Tatry ma³opolskie 21,164 A3, B2, B3 073 111 PL073, Janów forests Lasy Janowskie podkarpackie, lubelskie 50,000 B2 PL074 074 — — Solska Forest Landscape Park Park Krajobrazowy Puszczy Solskiej podkarpackie, lubelskie 28,980 B2 075 — — Przemyœl Plateau Landscape Park Park Krajobrazowy Pogórza podkarpackie 62,000 A1, B2, B3 Przemyskiego 076 112 PL080 Starzawa ponds Stawy Starzawskie podkarpackie 950 A4iii, B2 077 118 PL077 Bieszczady mountains Bieszczady podkarpackie 114,000 A1, B2, B3 1. Gromadzki et al. (1994) Sites identified in the previous inventory of IBAs in Europe (Grimmett and Jones 1989) but no longer considered to be IBAs PL002 Zalew Kamieñski (Kamieñ Bay); PL003 Jezioro Liwia £u¿a (Lake Liwia £u¿a); PL004 Bagna doliny rzek Œwiniec i Niemicy (Marshes in the valley Œwiniec and Niemica); PL006 £¹ki Skoszewskie (Skoszewo Meadows); PL008 Jezioro Karpino (Lake Karpino); PL014 Drawski Park Krajobrazowy (Drawski Landscape Park); PL015 Jeziora Szczecineckie (Lakes Szczecineckie); PL016 Okolice ¯ydowa—Bia³ego Boru (¯ydowo—Bialy Bór region); PL017 Koszaliñski i s³upski pas nadmorski (coastal areas of and S³upsk); PL020 Jeziora Krêpsko– Szczytnieñskie (Lakes Krêpsko and Szczytno and surrounding region); PL021 Bielawskie B³ota (Bielawskie ); PL027 Jezioro Karaœ (Lake Karaœ); PL030 Kramskie B³ota (Kramskie Marshes); PL032 Dolina Warty ko³o Krajkowa (River Warta valley near Krajkowa); PL036 Jezioro Wielkie (Lake Wielkie); PL037 Dolina Warty ko³o Santoka (River Warta valley near Santok); PL038 Ujœcie Noteci (Mouth of the River Noteæ); PL040 Dolina Leniwej Obry (Leniwa Obra valley); PL041 Jeziora Chobienickie (Chobienickie Lakes); PL042 Pojezierze S³awskie (S³awskie Lakes); PL043 Stawy rybne Darowa (Darowa fish-ponds); PL056 Stawy rybne w Niemodlinie: zespó³ D¹browa (Niemodlin fish-ponds: D¹browa complex); PL058 Stawy rybne £ê¿czak (£ê¿czak fish-ponds); PL059 Zbiornik Œwierklaniec (Œwierklaniec Reservoir); PL062 Zespó³ stawów rybnych w Przerêbie i Spytkowicach (Przerêb and Spytkowice fish-pond complex); PL063 Ojcowski Park Narodowy (Ojców National Park); PL064 Babiogórski Park Narodowy (Babia Góra National Park); PL066 Pieniñski Park Narodowy (Pieniñy National Park); PL068 Zespó³ stawów w Górkach (Górki fish-pond complex); PL069 Zespó³ stawów rybnych w M³odzowie (M³odzowy fish-pond complex); PL070 Zespó³ stawów rybnych kolo Grobli (Fish-pond complex near Grobla); PL071 Stawy rybne w Osieczyskach (Osieczyska fish-ponds); PL072 Zespó³ stawów rybnych w Budzie Stalowskiej (Buda Stalowska fish-pond complex); PL075 Stawy rybne w Porêbach Kupieñskich (Porêby Kupieñskie fish-pond); PL076 Zbiornik Rzeszowski (Rzeszów Reservoir); PL078 Zbiornik Przemyski (Przemyœl brick-pits); PL079 Starorzecze Sanu ko³o Hurka (Former bed of River , near Hurko); PL083 Jezioro Uœciwierz i przyleg³e torfowiska (Lake Uœciwierz and adjacent marshes); PL087 Dolina Pilicy (River valley); PL088 Zbiornik Sulejowski (Sulejów Reservoir); PL089 Uroczysko Mosty-Zahajki: zbiornik i lasy (Mosty-Zahajki: reservoirs and forest); PL091 Bagno Ca³ownie/Ub Biel (Ca³owanie or Biel Fen); PL092 Kompleks leœny Kryñszczak (Kryñszczak forest complex); PL093 Zespó³ stawów rybnych ko³o Kotunia (fish-pond complex near Kotuñ); PL096 Lasy £ochowskie (£ochów forests); PL105 Jezioro Dobskie (Lake Dobskie); PL107 Pó³wysep Czarny Róg (Czarny Róg Peninsula); PL110 Barto³ty Wielkie; PL112 Lasy £añskie (£añskie forests); PL113 Dolina Czarnej (River Czarna valley); PL115 Galwica; PL116 Dolina rzeki Orzyc: czêœæ górna (River Orzyc valley: upper part); PL117 Dolina M³awki (River M³awka valley); PL118 £¹ki Raczyny (Raczyny Meadows); PL119 Lasy Oœcis³owo (Oœcis³owo forest complex); PL123 Stawy rybne ko³o £owicza/Stawy Mys³aków (£owicz and Mys³aków fish-ponds); PL124 Stawy rybne Okrêt i Rydwan (Okrêt and Rydwan fish-ponds); PL125 Stawy rybne Walewice (Walewice fish-ponds); PL126 Stawy rybne Psary (Psary fish-ponds).

Map 1. Location, area and BALTIC criteria category of Important SEA 9 Bird Areas in Poland. 12 RUSSIA 10 LITHUANIA 1 13 14 3 19 15 20 2 11 24 4 21 8 16 17 22 5 7 39 23 25 40 18 28 6 33 37 38 48 26 32 29 27 30 41 49 42 47 31 34 36 45 50 51 35 43 BELARUS 46 52 44 53 54 64 65 55 56 63 66 67 57 68 58 69 59 73 60 62 Highest category of 74 criteria met by IBA A (60 IBAs) 61 70 B (17 IBAs) CZECH 76 Area of IBA (ha) REPUBLIC 75 33,000 to 163,000 71 10,000 to 32,999 72 3,000 to 9,999 77 0 75 150 300 to 2,999 km

1

545 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Table 2. Important Bird Areas in Poland that are important for Table 4. Species of European conservation concern with species of global conservation concern (meeting criterion A1). significant breeding populations at Important Bird Areas in Poland (meeting any IBA criteria). Species IBA code Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck 054 Minimum Proportion (%) of national breeding national population Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle 002, 006, 008, 013, 016, 018, 023, 032, population breeding at all IBAs 039, 046, 053, 054, 064 Species 1 (pairs) 2 in Poland 4 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle 025 Botaurus stellaris Bittern 1,100 42 Crex crex Corncrake 006, 010, 016, 018, 022, 023, 027, 030, Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern 400 28 031, 032, 033, 036, 039, 043, 045, 048, Ciconia nigra Black Stork 950 26 049, 050, 051, 062, 064, 065, 067, 075, Ciconia ciconia White Stork 30,500 7 077 Anas strepera Gadwall 1,200 55 Gallinago media Great Snipe 025, 026, 029, 030, 051 Anas querquedula Garganey 2,500 29 Acrocephalus paludicola Aquatic Warbler 001, 002, 003, 006, 022, 025, 026, 030, Aythya ferina Pochard 40,000 2 066, 068 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck 250 64 Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard 1,000 31 Milvus migrans Black Kite 500 17 Table 3. Important Bird Areas in Poland that support important Milvus milvus Red Kite 400 17 numbers of one or more congregatory species (i.e. meeting Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle 440 25 criteria A4 and/or B1). IBAs meeting both criteria A4 and B1 Circus pygargus Montagu’s Harrier 550 56 for the species are shown in bold. IBAs meeting only criterion Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle 1,660 29 B1 for the species concerned, and not A4, are shown in normal type. For key to ‘Season’, see p. 7. Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle 15 67 Falco tinnunculus Kestrel 1,500 7 Species Season IBA code Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse 3,000 14 Podiceps cristatus W 012 Coturnix coturnix Quail 5,000 1 Great Crested Grebe P 012 Porzana porzana Spotted Crake 2,500 13 Podiceps auritus Slavonian Grebe P 012 Porzana parva Little Crake 700 37 Podiceps nigricollis B 061 Crex crex Corncrake 6,600 31 Black-necked Grebe Grus grus Crane 2,300 25 Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant P 012 Gallinago media Great Snipe 400 1003 Cygnus olor Mute Swan W 012 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit 6,000 57 P 021 Tringa totanus Redshank 2,000 56 Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 037, 038 Larus canus Common Gull 3,500 86 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan W 006, 011 Sterna albifrons Little Tern 1,000 88 P 032 Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern 30 1003 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 004, 006, 007, 009, 015, 032, 041, 044, Chlidonias niger Black Tern 5,000 46 054, 055, 056, 059, 060 Bubo bubo Eagle Owl 130 64 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 004, 006, 007, 009, 013, 014, 015, 032, Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl 30 57 040, 041 Alcedo atthis Kingfisher 4,000 13 Anser anser Greylag Goose B 032, 054 Coracias garrulus Roller 200 15 W 001 Picus canus Grey-headed Woodpecker 1,000 10 P 015, 042 Dendrocopos medius Middle Spotted Woodpecker 8,000 6 Anas strepera Gadwall B 006 Riparia riparia Sand Martin 150,000 11 P 006, 015 Luscinia luscinia Thrush Nightingale 45,000 2 Anas crecca Teal P 014 Turdus torquatus Ring Ouzel 3,000 35 rufina Red-crested Pochard P 021 Locustella naevia Grasshopper Warbler 7,000 6 Aythya ferina Pochard W 006 Locustella luscinioides Savi’s Warbler 8,000 11 P 006, 014 Acrocephalus paludicola Aquatic Warbler 2,900 98 Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck W 006, 012, 013 Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher 3,000 53 P 002, 006 Lanius excubitor Great Grey Shrike 2,000 6 Aythya marila Scaup W 002, 013 1. Only those species of European conservation concern (see Box 1, p. 12) that meet IBA criteria in Poland are listed. P 002 2. Data are taken from the BirdLife/EBCC European Bird Database 1998 (Heath and Borggreve 2000). Bucephala clangula Goldeneye W 002, 006, 012, 013, 039, 047 3. The percentage of the national population in IBAs exceeds 100%. Usually this is because P 002, 014 the national population estimate has not been updated recently whilst the IBA population estimate has been recently updated with new data as a result of comprehensive surveys of Mergus albellus Smew W 001, 002, 006, 012, 014 IBAs themselves. Also, the individual site count for a species may be the maximum or Mergus merganser Goosander B 039 average over recent years, and summing these may record more birds than are present nationally in any single year. W 001, 002, 006, 012, 039 4. Figures in this column are not up-to-date for some species, mainly passerines but also, e.g., P 002, 009 Aythya nyroca (the national population of which is now much smaller). In general, the data Grus grus Crane P 006, 015, 016, 017, 018, 022, 032, 041, 054 are most up-to-date for waterbirds and raptors. N 004 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 025 The vast extent of wetlands in Poland is reflected in the country’s Larus minutus Little Gull P 013, 014 importance for congregatory waterbirds (Table 3), particularly Larus canus Common Gull W 013 during the breeding and migration seasons. These IBAs are P 013 concentrated along the large rivers and their flood-plains (e.g. Wisła, N 013 Odra) and their mouths, and also at the bays, lagoons and coastal Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 046 lakes along the Baltic coast. These broad corridors form more-or- Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern B 061 less clearly defined migratory routes for some waterbirds (east– Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 025 west along the coast and north–south along the rivers). Chlidonias niger Black Tern P 002, 013 Similarly, because there are still relatively large and Chlidonias leucopterus B 025 unfragmented tracts of forest (e.g. Białowieża forest, Borecka forest, White-winged Black Tern Augustów forest), the country supports important populations of some forest species, e.g. raptors, woodpeckers and Ciconia nigra

546 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

(c.1,000 pairs). Poland holds the largest national breeding Figure 1. Habitats at Important Bird Areas in Poland population of Ciconia ciconia in the world, estimated at more than (see Appendix 3 for definitions of habitats). 40,000 pairs, and other species of non-intensive agricultural landscapes, e.g. Hirundo rustica, are also very common. The large Wetland rivers in Poland have a semi-natural character and hold important numbers of breeding Larus canus and Sterna albifrons, nesting in Grassland their natural habitat (sandy river islands). Forest and woodland Other SPECs that have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe (Tucker and Heath 1994) and that have important breeding Artificial landscape populations in Poland include Botaurus stellaris (1,100–1,400 pairs), Scrub Aquila pomarina (1,600–1,800 pairs), Perdix perdix (250,000– ³ 50% cover¹ 1,500,000 pairs), Chlidonias niger (5,000–7,000 pairs), Alcedo atthis Rocky areas 5%–49% cover¹ (4,000–8,000 pairs), Alauda arvensis and Riparia riparia. In addition, < 5% or unknown¹ Unknown the following SPECs (which have a favourable status in Europe but are concentrated there on a global scale) also breed in Poland 0 10 2030 4050 60 70 80 90 100 in important numbers: Aythya ferina, Columba palumbus, Strix Percentage of IBAs (100% = 77 sites) aluco, Dendrocopos medius, Luscinia luscinia, Saxicola rubetra, 1. percentage of area of individual IBA covered by habitat Locustella fluviatilis, Locustella luscinioides, Acrocephalus palustris, Sylvia nisoria, Sylvia communis and Emberiza citrinella. Fourteen out of the 77 IBAs qualify solely under the B2 or B3 Figure 2. Land-uses at Important Bird Areas Poland criteria (Table 1). Although the national breeding populations of (see Appendix 3 for definitions of land-uses). some SPECs are well covered by the IBA network in Poland, those of other SPECs are not (Table 4). The latter group of species (e.g. Agriculture Ciconia ciconia) tend to be well dispersed over the countryside when breeding and, at least during this season, cannot be adequately Hunting conserved in Poland by a system of IBAs or protected areas. For Forestry these species, habitat conservation measures for the wider countryside are needed (Tucker and Evans 1997). Fisheries/aquaculture

Tourism/recreation HABITATS Nature conservation/research

Before the advent of man, most of Poland was forested and open Water management habitats were limited. Today Poland is an agrarian country, with Not utilized open agricultural landscapes covering 60% of its area. Small farms Urban/industrial/transport of 5–10 ha are the most numerous type of land-holding in many ³ 50% cover¹ regions, and arable fields are often very small, creating a very diverse Other 5%–49% cover¹ mosaic together with other landscape features. In the last decade < 5% or unknown¹ the amount of abandoned farmland has increased, involving both Unknown small farms all over the country as well as large ones (previously 01020 304050 60 70 80 90 state farms) mostly in the north. Part of the abandoned farmland Percentage of IBAs (100% = 77 sites) has been afforested, but much has been left fallow and is now in 1. percentage of area of individual IBA covered by land-use the process of reverting naturally to scrub and woodland. Agricultural habitats are mainly represented in the IBA network by ‘Grassland’ and ‘Artificial landscape’ (Figure 1), although not ease of definition as discrete sites and their great importance for in as high a proportion as the national total. congregatory waterbirds. Forest and woodland currently cover 29% of the country, although only 19% of this growth is older than 80 years. More than 75% of forest is coniferous at present but the deciduous proportion IMPACTS ON IBAs – LAND-USE AND THREATS has been increasing in recent decades. In the north-east there are still tracts of natural forest (some large in comparison with other Agriculture is the most widespread land-use in Poland, covering European countries) dominated by broadleaved deciduous species about 55% of the country, with about five times more land devoted (especially oak Quercus, lime Tilia and hornbeam Carpinus), while to arable cultivation as to livestock-grazing. Forestry is the second in the south there are fragments of more montane forest-types. largest sector in terms of national area covered. These two main Forest habitats are well represented within the IBA network land-uses also dominate within the Polish IBA network (Figure 2). (Figure 1). However, the relatively high preponderance of water-related uses Mires are still extensive, and cover 1.5 million ha (4.2% of the at IBAs does not reflect national land-cover statistics, since wetlands country). The most widespread are fens, comprising 89% of the cover a mere c.3% of the country. Thus, the importance of wetlands total by area, although many have already been drained and are as IBAs is underlined. Figure 2 shows how widespread hunting is used as hay-meadows and pastures; raised comprise 6.5% and in the IBAs; the only types of land exempted from hunting in Poland transitional mires 4.5%. Small mires (less than 10 ha) are the norm. are human settlements, Nature Reserves and National Parks. The largest intact mires (undrained or incompletely drained) are in The threats to birds and habitats at IBAs in Poland are presented the north-east, in the Narew and Biebrza river basins. in Figure 3. Generally speaking, there are three main threats to Standing water covers about 1.5% of the national surface area. riverine sites. First, the current law aimed at the reduction of The country is relatively rich in lakes—there are 5,600 over 1 ha in flooding, which results in the engineering of river channels, dam size—which are clustered into a number of ‘lakelands’, mainly in construction, and clear-felling of riverine forests. Second, the the north. There are also some large lagoons along the Baltic coast. current plans to construct series of large dams on the Wisła and Several large rivers run through Poland into the , e.g. the Odra rivers (cascadization). For example, the ‘Lower Odra (), the Wisła (Vistula) and its tributaries the Narew and Cascade’ involves the creation of 8–10 dams along the lower Wisła, Bug. These rivers are relatively unregulated, being in many areas raising water-levels by the construction of side embankments. Third, not isolated from their flood-plains by embankments, and they thus the current plan to construct an ‘East–West Waterway’, for barges have a diverse physical structure. In a few areas, e.g. along the of up to 1,500 tonnes, to join Germany with the Dniepr river system Odra river, some good-quality tracts of natural flood-plain forest via the Noteć, middle Wisła, Narew and Bug rivers. This would have also been preserved. Wetlands are disproportionately well completely destroy the natural character of these major Polish rivers represented in the IBA network in Poland (Figure 1), due to their or, in the case of the Narew, at least seriously affect it.

547 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Figure 3. Threats at Important Bird Areas in Poland (see Appendix 3 for definitions of threat types and impact categories).

Recreation/tourism Agricultural intensification/expansion Drainage Aquaculture/fisheries Abandonment/reduction of land management Dredging/canalization Selective logging/cutting Industrialization/urbanization Infrastructure Deforestation (commercial) Intensified forest management Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage Unsustainable exploitation Afforestation Groundwater abstraction Other High impact Disturbance to birds Natural events Medium to low impact Burning of vegetation Unknown impact Extraction industry Filling-in of wetlands 0 5 1015 2025 3035 40 45 50 Percentage of IBAs (100% = 77 sites)

The main threat to birds at fish-pond IBAs is the likelihood management allowed) or partially (management allowed). Nature that fisheries will be abandoned as a result of economic changes, Reserves have buffer zones, and are designated by decision of the leading to the disappearance of these man-maintained wetlands. Minister for Environment Protection, Natural Resources and At agricultural IBAs, the main threat is posed by an anticipated Forestry (up to 1998) or by a voivode (since 1999). They are change in the Polish farming system, away from the predominance administered by the owner (if estate is private) or by a manager (if of small, more or less sustainable farms towards a landscape land is state-owned) and supervised by a voivode. Only in some dominated by large, intensive farms. The main threat at forest IBAs Nature Reserves are wardens employed by a voivode. is the possible privatization and commercialization of forests in Poland, which continues to be proposed by some lobbies, and which 3. Landscape Park (Park Krajobrazowy) would lead to intensified management including clear-felling, An area protected for its natural, cultural and historical values, selective felling and afforestation with non-native species. The under conditions of sustainable development and under prohibition proposed network of new highways in Poland may also damage of mineral exploitation, industrial development and urbanisation. some IBAs, of various habitat-types, across the country. Landscape Parks have buffer zones, and are designated by decision In Figure 3, recreation is the most frequently cited threat to birds of a voivode. Each park is supervised by a board, which organizes at IBAs, although this may be an overestimate since the impact is and employs park guards. considered to be high at only three sites. On the other hand, the consequences of introduced animal species to IBAs may have been 4. Protected Landscape Area (Obszar Chronionego Krajobrazu) underestimated—mammalian predators such as American mink This is an area valuable for its landscape, designated by a voivode. Mustela vison and racoon-dog Nyctereutes procyonoides, introduced to Poland after the Second World War, may be important in 5. Site for Geological Documentation (Stanowisko Dokumentacyjne determining the breeding numbers of many waterbird species in Przyrody Nieożywionej) Poland in the long term. A place of interest and importance for science or education, designated by a voivode.

PROTECTION STATUS 6. Ecological Area (Użytek Ekologiczny) An area worthy of protection because of its high natural values, ■ National protection e.g. a small water-body, mire, clump of trees, area of dunes, oxbow The main piece of national legislation relevant to the protection of lake, etc.; designated by a voivode. sites for nature conservation is the 1991 Law on Nature Conservation which governs the general organization of nature 7. Natural Landscape Complex conservation in Poland and which defines eight categories of An area protected because of its valuable natural or cultural protected area, listed below. landscape; designated by a voivode.

1. National Park (Park Narodowy) 8. Nature Monument (Pomnik Przyrody) An area over 1,000 ha in size, with special values for science, nature, A valuable and interesting object or feature, such as a tree, cliff, social life, culture and education, where the whole of nature and rock, etc.; designated by a voivode. specific characteristics of landscape are protected. National Parks can have strictly protected and/or partially protected zones (Nature ‘Private reserves’, owned by private persons or non-governmental Reserves) within them, and have huge buffer zones. National Parks conservation bodies, are not recognised by Polish law unless they are designated by decision of the Council of Ministries, and each is are officially designated as Nature Reserves. Sites classed as IBAs, managed by a board which reports to the Board of National Parks or as other types of site under European conventions, do not have at the Ministry for Environment Protection, Natural Resources any legal status. and Forestry. Park guards are organized and employed by each The protection status of IBAs in Poland is shown in Table 5 park’s board. and in Figures 4 and 5. Those IBAs which are protected as National Parks or Nature Reserves are protected adequately, so long as the 2. (Rezerwat Przyrody) legal status of the designation is respected. The same is true for An area preserved for its valuable ecosystem, flora, fauna, IBAs protected as Landscape Parks, although the application of vegetation, abiotic elements or landscape, either strictly (no this designation has only recently commenced in Poland.

548 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Table 5. Protection status of Important Bird Areas in Poland. A tick (✔) indicates that an IBA overlaps with a protected area (to any extent). National International National International

IBA International IBA International National Park Nature Reserve Landscape Park Area Protected Landscape Ecological Area Nature Monument Ramsar Site Heritage Site World Biosphere Reserve code name National Park Nature Reserve Landscape Park Area Protected Landscape Ecological Area Nature Monument Ramsar Site Heritage Site World Biosphere Reserve code name 001 Delta of the Œwina river ✔ 040 Marshy valley of the Drwêca river ✔✔ 002 Szczecin lagoon 041 Gop³o Millennium Park ✔✔ 003 Rozwarowo marshes 042 Rakutowskie swamps ✔ 004 Œwidwie lake ✔✔043 Ner river valley ✔ 005 We ³tyñ lakes 044 Jeziorsko reservoir 006 Lower Odra river valley ✔✔ 045 Kampinos forest ✔✔ 007 Miedwie lake 046 Middle Wis³a river valley ✔✔ 008 Iñsk Landscape Park ✔✔ 047 Zegrzyñski reservoir ✔✔ 009 Slowiñski National Park ✔✔ ✔ ✔ 048 Omulew river valley 010 S³upia Valley Landscape Park ✔ 049 Bia³a forest ✔ 011 Middle part of Tuchola forest ✔✔✔ 050 Liwiec river valley ✔✔ 012 Puck Bay ✔✔ 051 Lower Bug river valley ✔✔✔ 013 Wis³a river mouth ✔ 052 Przemków ponds ✔✔ 014 Wis³a lagoon ✔ 053 Odra riverine forests ✔✔✔ 015 Dru¿no lake ✔ 054 Barycz river valley ✔✔✔ ✔✔ 016 I³awa forests ✔✔ 055 S³up reservoir ✔ 017 Dymerskie meadows ✔ 056 Mietków reservoir 018 Napiwodzko-Ramucka forest ✔✔ 057 Oak-hornbeam forests 019 Oœwin lake ✔✔ in the Odra valley ✔ 020 Borecka forest ✔ 058 Turawa reservoir 021 £uknajno lake ✔✔059 Otmuchów reservoir 022 Nietlickie marshes ✔ 060 Nysa reservoir 023 Pisz forest ✔✔ 061 Upper Wis³a river valley ✔ 024 Augustów forest ✔✔ 062 Middle Nida flood-plain ✔✔ 025 Biebrza river valley ✔✔063 Ma³opolska Wis³a river gap ✔✔ 026 Narew river gaps 064 Ty œmienica river valley 027 Marshy valley of the Narew river ✔ 065 Parczew forests ✔ 028 Knyszyñ forest ✔✔ 066 Bubnów marshes ✔✔ 029 Gródek—Micha³owo basin ✔ 067 Middle Bug river valley 030 Upper Narew river valley 068 Che³m calcareous marshes ✔✔✔ 031 Bia³owie¿a forest ✔✔ ✔✔ 069 Strzeleckie forests ✔ 032 Warta flood-plain—S³oñsk ✔✔ ✔ 070 Niepo³omice forest ✔ 033 Noteæ river flood-plain ✔✔ 071 Gorce mountains ✔ 034 Obra river flood-plain 072 Tatra mountains ✔✔ ✔ 035 Wonieœæ reservoir ✔ 073 Janów forests ✔✔✔ 036 Middle Warta river valley ✔✔ 074 Solska Forest Landscape Park ✔ 037 Ostrówek and Smogulec ponds 075 Przemyœl Plateau Landscape Park ✔✔ 038 Œlesin and Wystêp ponds ✔ 076 Starzawa ponds 039 Lower Wis³a river ✔✔ 077 Bieszczady mountains ✔✔✔ ✔ Subtotal of IBAs 7 23 11 3 30614 Total number of IBAs 12 45 25 13 5 1 7 1 4

Figure 4. The national protection status of Important Bird Areas Figure 5. The international protection status of Important Bird in Poland. Areas in Poland.

High % of area of None None 6 IBAs (8%) 67 IBAs (87%) individual 17 IBAs (22%) High Partial IBA overlaps 30 IBAs (39%) 4 IBAs (5%) with national protected areas: High >90% Partial 10–90% % of area of Low <10% individual None IBA overlaps with international Low protected areas: 11 IBAs (14%) High >90% Partial 10–90% Low <10% Partial None 19 IBAs (25%) Total area of overlap between IBA network in Poland and national protected-area system Total area of overlap between IBA network in Poland and international protected-area (see Table 5 for categories) = 8,514–9,943 km2 (43–50% of total IBA area). system (see Table 5 for categories) = 2,302 km2 (12% of total IBA area).

549 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

OTOP carries out habitat management at Karsiborska Kępa (part Box 1. International legislation Global • and initiatives that are Biodiversity Convention ✔ of site 001) for breeding waders and Acrocephalus paludicola, and relevant to site conservation in Ramsar Convention ✔ at Beka Nature Reserve (part of site 012) for breeding waders, Poland (see Appendix 1 for a Bonn Convention ✔ amongst other sites. A national action plan is being prepared by general description of these World Heritage Convention ✔ OTOP for the management of habitat for Acrocephalus paludicola. agreements). MAB Programme ✔ • OTOP is involved in campaigns, in cooperation with other Polish Pan-European NGOs, for the designation of the entire Polish part of the Bern Convention ✔ Białowieża forest as a National Park; against the construction Regional of a long series of dams along the middle and lower Wisła river Helsinki Convention ✔ (the ‘Lower Vistula Cascade’); against a similar series of dams ✔ Convention ratified/initiative supported along the Odra river; and against the siting of the Winter (✔) Convention signed Olympic Games 2006 in the Tatra mountains. • The most urgent tasks in the near future are to prepare and Of the other designations, only Ecological Areas have real implement management plans for all Nature Reserves and meaning and value in protecting IBAs. This designation has been Landscape Parks of importance for birds, to increase the amount used in two main ways. In the past (although no longer), it was of the national IBA network which is covered by officially used as a preliminary protection measure, to quickly achieve designated protected areas, to create and implement IBA protection for an area definitely proposed as a Nature Reserve. monitoring and care-taking schemes, and to implement This was because the bureaucracy at the voivodeship level was less ornithological monitoring over the whole country. complex than at the ministerial level, and the application could therefore be concluded in a short period. The second, and very important, way in which the designation has been used is to avoid ANALYTICAL METHODS an obligatory duty to economically manage any area of land in the country. For instance, according to regulations any forested • The numbers quoted for breeding pairs are yearly maxima (given peatbog was classed as wasteland, and the forestry authorities were as a range when there are data for a series of years), those for therefore obliged to drain it and then attempt afforestation. By passage and wintering birds are daily maxima. declaring the site as an Ecological Area, the authorities were able • The administrative regions listed are voivodeships (provinces) to avoid this management obligation and leave the area undamaged. and refer to the situation as from 1 January 1999; before this date, a different system of regions was in place. ■ International protection • For some IBAs, the only available information was in Poland has ratified all of the international conventions relevant to Gromadzki et al. (1994). In such cases, data are less complete— site protection for nature conservation (Box 1). Such global fewer bird species are listed, and information on the number of designations, e.g. Ramsar Sites, World Heritage Sites and Biosphere pairs or individuals is lacking. Reserves, have legal status, although this does not mean that better • Most of the original data used in this inventory were gathered protection follows such designation (Figure 5, Table 5). during the period 1994–1997. In a few cases only (e.g. sites 021, 025, 047, 049), the data used are mainly from the late 1980s. • Information on threats is given as provided by contributors, and CONSERVATION may therefore depend on subjective judgements in some instances. • As a rule, the information on threats relates to recent years. For • The data in this chapter originate from a variety of mostly local all National Parks, this information is up-to-date. or regional projects, and were not collected specifically for the • In the period during which data were being collected for this IBA inventory. An IBA-oriented data-gathering project started inventory, new parks, reserves and other protected areas have in 1998 (run by OTOP) but is limited to the Baltic coast and the been established and the protection status of IBAs has been adjacent Pomeranian lakeland. In the last decade country-wide changing accordingly. This process has not been completed yet, censuses were carried out for only a few bird species: for Ciconia and so the protection status of some IBAs, as stated in this ciconia by ProNatura (a non-governmental organisation based inventory, is likely to change in the next few years. in Wroclaw) during 1994–1995, for Acrocephalus paludicola by OTOP during 1993 and 1997, for Crex crex by OTOP during 1997 and 1998, and for Cygnus olor by Gdansk Ornithological GLOSSARY Station in 1998. Annual censusing of the nests of large raptors and Ciconia nigra has been carried out by the Eagle Protection IUCN The World Conservation Union. Committee (a non-governmental organisation based in ) OTOP Ogólnopolskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptaków—the Polish Society for since the mid-1980s. This is the only country-wide ornithological the Protection of Birds—the Partner Designate of BirdLife International in monitoring project in Poland at the moment. There are many Poland (a registered charity with headquarters in Gdansk). local monitoring projects, oriented towards species or habitats, voivode the person in charge of a province (voivodeship). run by various institutions. voivodeship a province; the most recent regulation, in 1999, divides Poland • Management plans exist, or are in preparation, for all National into 16 voivodeships. Parks, and some have already been implemented. Such plans WCU Wetland Conservation Unit of IUCN. are also obligatory for Nature Reserves and Landscape Parks, and many have already been prepared (of which only a few are for Landscape Parks so far), but this process is still in full flow. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS If the management plan for a Landscape Park is prepared and signed by a voivode, its implementation is obligatory for We are grateful to the following people, who kindly submitted materials from communes (the administrative unit below the voivode), which which the IBA site-accounts were compiled: Artur Adamski, Wiesław Bagiński, means that it may be a very powerful tool for real protection. Magdalena Bartoszewicz, Piotr Baszanowski, Jan Bednorz, Jacek Betleja, Paweł • The nest-sites of 11 species of raptor and Ciconia nigra are Bielecki, Wojciech Błoniarz, Grzegorz Bobrowicz, Tomasz Brauze, Alicja protected efficiently by the designation of protection zones Buczek, Tomasz Buczek, Dorota Bukacińska, Dariusz Bukaciński, Stanisław around their nests, and such zones are incorporated into the Burdziej, Zdzisław Cenian, Sławomir Chmielewski, Przemysław Chylarecki, management plans of forest superintendencies. However, the Włodzimierz Cichocki, Marian Cieślak, Andrzej Czapulak, Ryszard protection zones declared by law for Tetrao urogallus, Tetrao Czeraszkiewicz, Cezary Ćwikowski, Barbara Diehl, Kazimierz Dobrowolski, tetrix, Burhinus oedicnemus, Merops apiaster and Coracias Paweł T. Dolata, Andrzej Dombrowski, Andrzej Dyrcz, Jacek Engel, Andrzej garrulus are of no practical help in protecting these species. A Felger, Zbigniew Głowaciński, Blandyna Głuchowska, Andrzej Górski, Tomasz country-wide nest-protection scheme for Ciconia ciconia is run Górski, Wojciech Górski, Jadwiga Gromadzka, Andrzej Grygoruk, Jerzy by ProNatura and a similar scheme for Pandion haliaetus is run Grzybek, Sebastian Guentzel, Józef Hordowski, Piotr Indykiewicz, Tomasz by the Eagle Protection Committee. Janiszewski, Zbigniew Jaszcz, Stanisław Jażdzyk, Marek Kalisiński, Robert

550 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Kapowicz, Zbigniew Kasprzykowski, Czesław Kawecki, Marek Keller, Eugeniusz Pugacewicz, Ewald Ranoszek, Maciej Rodziewicz, Piotr Rydzkowski, Grzegorz Kiljan, Janusz Kloskowski, Jarosław Krogulec, Wiesław Król, Alfred Andrzej Ryś, Mirosław Rzępała, Arkadiusz Sikora, Tadeusz Smoleński, Marek Krzyśkowiak, Roman Kucharski, Tomasz Kułakowski, Przemysław Kunysz, Stajszczyk, Wojciech Stasieczek, Artur Staszewski, Tadeusz Stawarczyk, Mateusz Michał Kupczyk, Stanisław Kuźniak, Zenon Lewartowski, Jan Loch, Grzegorz Stopiński, Sławomir Studziński, Marian Szymkiewicz, Janusz Tomasiewicz, Lorek, Zbigniew Majcher, Izabela Majewska, Michał Maniakowski, Dominik Maciej Tracz, Magdalena Tracz, Tomasz Uchimiak, Jacek Wasilewski, Jarosław Marchowski, Mateusz Matysiak, Włodzimierz Meissner, Maria Mellin, Wawerski, Tomasz Wesołowski, Aleksander Winiecki, Witold Winkowski, Sławomir Mielczarek, Marcin Miller, Tomasz Mokwa, Wojciech Mrugowski, Radosław Włodarczyk, Zbigniew Wojciechowski, Cezary Wójcik, Janusz Grzegorz Neubauer, Sławomir Niedźwiecki, Czesław Nitecki, Wiesław Wójciak, Andrzej Wuczyński, Konrad Wypychowski, Katarzyna Zając, Tadeusz Nowicki, Czesław Okołów, Bogumiła Olech, Małgorzata Piotrowska, Wojciech Zając, Dorota Zawadzka, Jarosław Zawadzki, Jerzy Zawadzki, Jacek Zieliński, Plata, Emil Polubiec, Waldemar Półtorak, Piotr Profus, Mikołaj Pruszyński, Marek Zieliński, Piotr Zieliński.

■ SITE ACCOUNTS

Delta of the Œwina river A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 001 Szczecin lagoon A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 002 Admin region zachodnio-pomorskie Admin region zachodnio-pomorskie Coordinates 53°50’N 14°20’E Coordinates 53°46’N 14°28’E Altitude 0–10 m Area 4,000 ha Altitude 20–20 m Area 48,000 ha

■ Site description ■ Site description A delta (growing in the direction of Szczeciński lagoon) which contains The Polish part of Szczecin lagoon. The waters are shallow (mean natural and artificial channels of the Świna river, with numerous depth 2–3 m) and extremely productive in fish, with high density of islands. The site also covers the south-west coast of Wolin island and benthic organisms. Aquatic plants dominate in places, and shores are the south-east part of Uznam island adjoining the Piastowski channel. covered by reedbeds Phragmites and rushes Scirpus. The lagoon is The plant community is very rich. Most of the forest is old-growth used for shipping. (130–150 years), dominated by alder Alnus, mixed /oak Betula/ Habitats Grassland (humid grassland), Wetland (100%; standing fresh water; water- Quercus and beech/oak Fagus/Quercus. Open areas are dominated by fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) saltmarsh, rush Scirpus and reedbeds Phragmites. The latter completely Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (50%), Tourism/recreation (40%), Urban/industrial/ cover some islets and almost all shores of the other islands. A very transport (10%) small area is used as arable land.

Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), ■ Birds Grassland (10%; humid grassland), Wetland (70%; saltmarsh; standing fresh water; river/ stream; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (5%; ruderal land) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Land-use Agriculture (30%), Fisheries/aquaculture (30%), Forestry (5%), Nature Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck P 1993 10,000 — — B1i Aythya marila Scaup W — 40,000 — — A4i, B1i conservation/research (5%), Not utilized (10%), Other (10%), Tourism/recreation (10%) Aythya marila Scaup P 1993 40,000 70,000 — A4i, B1i Bucephala clangula Goldeneye W — 6,000 — — A4i, B1i ■ Birds Bucephala clangula Goldeneye P — 10,000 — — A4i, B1i Mergus albellus Smew W 1993 25,000 — — A4i, B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Mergus merganser Goosander W 1993 30,000 — — A4i, B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose W 1993 — 2,000 — B1i Mergus merganser Goosander P — 50,000 — — A4i, B1i Anas strepera Gadwall B 1995 49 57 A B2 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1993 8 — — A1, B2 Mergus albellus Smew W 1993 — 1,500 — A4i, B1i Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W — 40 50 — A1 Mergus merganser Goosander W 1995 — 6,000 A A4i, B1i Chlidonias niger Black Tern P 1993 5,000 — — A4i, B1i Locustella luscinioides Savi’s Warbler B 1995 80 80 B B3 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1993 10 — — A1 1 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1997 169 182 A A1 Aquatic Warbler Aquatic Warbler 1. Autumn. 1. Singing males. A very attractive area for breeding, migrating and wintering birds ■ Protection status with very rich food sources available. Breeding species of global National None International None conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (two pairs). A total of 140 bird species have been recorded breeding. ■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Aquaculture/fisheries (U), ■ Protection status Industrialization/urbanization (U), Recreation/tourism (U) National Partial International None 2,000 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Woliñski, 10,937 ha). The lagoon is heavily polluted by industry, domestic and agricultural sewage. ■ Conservation issues Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Agricultural intensification/ expansion (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Deforestation (commercial) (U), Disturbance to Rozwarowo marshes A1 003 birds (C), Industrialization/urbanization (A), Infrastructure (A), Recreation/tourism (B) Admin region zachodnio-pomorskie Coordinates 53°52’N 14°45’E Threats include the expansion of reedbeds onto saltmarsh following Altitude 20–20 m Area 1,600 ha reductions in grazing, and unsuitable forestry practices (clear-cutting). Birds are disturbed by fishermen, tourism and forestry. Eggs of Larus argentatus are sometimes stolen from the colonies (probably by fox ■ Site description farmers), causing disturbance to birds. A part of the IBA (Karsiborska The marshy valley of the Grzybnica and Wołczenica rivers, containing Kępa, 180 ha) is managed by OTOP (the concept of ‘private reserve’ numerous channels. There are considerable areas of fen with large does not exist in current Polish law). OTOP projects here are: (1) stretches covered with reedbeds Phragmites and wet, flooded meadows; Distribution, numbers and habitat selection of Acrocephalus paludicola bushes of alder Alnus are abundant. Land-uses include cattle-farming. (as part of a wider BirdLife International project); (2) action plan for Habitats Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (75%; standing plant community; (3) permanent study of bird numbers and fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring) distribution. Projects by the West Pomeranian Ornithological Society Land-use Agriculture (80%), Hunting (10%), Not utilized (10%) include inventory of breeding and migrating birds (June–August 1995).

551 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

■ Birds stands of beech Fagus. Some of the lakes have small islands with bushy Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria vegetation and small patches of reed Phragmites. 1 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1997 28 32 — A1 Habitats Forest and woodland (25%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Aquatic Warbler forest; mixed forest), Wetland (10%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; 1. Singing males. water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (65%; arable land; forestry plantation; urban parks/gardens; other urban/industrial areas; ruderal land) A total of 151 species have been recorded, 107 as breeders. Land-use Agriculture (50%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Forestry (20%), Hunting, Tourism/recreation (15%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Birds ■ Conservation issues Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Drainage (U), Dredging/ Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan W 1995 20 100 A B3 canalization (U), Infrastructure (U) Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Effluent from cattle-farming is a threat. In 1993 part of the marshes Aythya nyroca (one breeding pair), Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair feeds were altered by reedbed planting, damaging the habitat for breeding in the area, nesting nearby). Acrocephalus paludicola (immediately before the damage there were 40–60 singing males). New roads are making access to the marshes ■ Protection status easier for anglers and poachers. National None International None

■ Conservation issues Œwidwie lake A4i, B1i 004 Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Deforestation (commercial) (C), Admin region zachodnio-pomorskie Drainage (B), Infrastructure (B), Recreation/tourism (C), Selective logging/cutting (C), Coordinates 53°33’N 14°22’E Unsustainable exploitation (C) Altitude 20–100 m Area 900 ha Water pollution from agriculture is a threat, as are drainage and recreation. ■ Site description A nutrient-rich lake surrounded by extensive fens. A large part is occupied by reedbeds (Phragmites) and part by meadows and alder Alnus Lower Odra A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1iv, B2, B3 006 forest. Haymaking, grazing and hunting take place around the lake. river valley Habitats Scrub, Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (80%; standing fresh water; Admin region zachodnio-pomorskie, lubuskie water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) Coordinates 53°07’N 14°21’E Land-use Hunting, Nature conservation/research (100%) Altitude 0–50 m Area 75,000 ha

■ Birds ■ Site description The valley of the Odra river between Kostrzyn town, Szczeciński Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria lagoon (c.150 km long) and Dąbie lake. At its widest part the Odra 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1993 5,000 — — A4i, B1i has two main channels—the Eastern Odra and the Regalica. The area 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1993 8,000 — — B1i Grus grus Crane N — 110 250 — B1i between the main channels is a marshy plain with oxbow lakes and many smaller channels, and is covered by fens, seasonally 1. Autumn. flooded meadows, swamps and riparian forest. Dąbie lake is a Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: large, shallow delta-lake (5,600 ha, up to 4 m deep). Human activities Haliaeetus albicilla (1 pair feeds in the area, nesting nearby), Crex include boat traffic, cattle-grazing and haymaking, angling, and crex (1–3 pairs). hunting.

Habitats Forest and woodland (8%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (humid ■ Protection status grassland), Wetland (90%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe National High International High vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (other urban/industrial 900 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Świdwie, 900 ha). 900 ha areas; ruderal land) of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Świdwie, 900 ha). Land-use Agriculture (30%), Hunting (55%), Tourism/recreation (10%), Urban/ industrial/transport (5%) ■ Conservation issues Recent information (March 1998) indicates that all known threats to Swidwie lake have been removed. Previously these had been (1) ■ Birds drainage in the surrounding area in 1976 (40% of water supply lost), Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria (2) agricultural effluent, which had been causing strong nutrient 1 Botaurus stellaris Bittern R 1994 18 18 A B2 pollution of the lake, and (3) hunting in the surrounding area, which Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan W 1993 400 500 — B1i had been disturbing birds within the site. An EU-funded project being 1,2Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1995 5,000 15,000 A A4i, B1i implemented in the area involves replacing the water lost in 1976. The 1,2 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1995 7,000 20,000 A A4i, B1i new water supply will be stored at Zurawie reservoir, south of the Anas strepera Gadwall B 1993 100 130 A A4i, B1i, B2 lake, and cleaned there. According to the Nature Conservancy Officer Anas strepera Gadwall P 1993 — 2,000 — A4i, B1i hunting has also been stopped in the surrounding area. Aythya ferina Pochard W — 8,000 — — B1i Aythya ferina Pochard P 1993 10,000 — — B1i Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck W 1993 50,000 — — A4i, B1i 3 Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck P — 30,000 — — A4i, B1i We³tyñ lakes B3 005 Bucephala clangula Goldeneye W 1993 3,500 — — B1i Admin region zachodnio-pomorskie Mergus albellus Smew W — 650 — — B1i Mergus merganser Goosander W 1993 5,000 10,000 — A4i, B1i Coordinates 53°15’N 14°35’E Haliaeetus albicilla R 1995 19 20 — A1, B2 Altitude 24–45 m Area 4,600 ha White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla W— 50——A1 ■ Site description White-tailed Eagle A complex of small lakes (the largest, Wełtyń, covering 360 ha) which Crex crex Corncrake B 1994 20 25 — A1 4 Grus grus Crane B 1994 40 50 — B2 are surrounded by cultivated fields, meadows, pastures and small

552 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Iñsk Landscape Park A1, B3 008 Grus grus Crane P — 7,000 8,000 — A4i, B1i Admin region zachodnio-pomorskie Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1993 40 45 — B2 Coordinates 53°24’N 15°30’E 5 Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1994 230 250 A B2 Altitude 0–180 m Area 17,763 ha 1 Luscinia luscinia Thrush Nightingale B 1994 350 400 A B3 1 Locustella luscinioides Savi’s Warbler B 1994 430 550 A B3 6 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1994 60 80 A A1, B2 ■ Site description Aquatic Warbler Ińsk Landscape Park protects the moraine landscape of the Ińskie 7 Lanius excubitor Great Grey Shrike B 1994 15 20 — B2 lakeland. The site is drained by the river and its tributaries and 1. Number is for Landscape Park only. partly by the tributaries of the river. There are 63 lakes, most of 2. 40,000–50,000 Anser fabalis/Anser albifrons. them flow-lakes. The largest is Ińsko lake with a depth of 42 m and 3. Spring. 4. 10–15 pairs in Landscape Park. an extensive shoreline. Forest is widely distributed across the park 5. 90–100 pairs in Landscape Park. and is dominated by broadleaved forest of Quercus/Fagus. In stagnant 6. Singing males; 15 in Landscape Park. hollows there are many swamps and cave lakes. 7. 13–17 pairs in Landscape Park. Habitats Forest and woodland (53%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest), One of the most important places in Poland for roosting geese Anser Wetland (9%; standing fresh water; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial and Grus grus on autumn passage, with up to 40,000–45,000 Anser landscape (38%; arable land) fabalis and A. albifrons in the area. Land-use Agriculture (38%), Fisheries/aquaculture (9%), Forestry (53%), Hunting ■ Protection status National Partial International None ■ Birds 31 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Kurowskie Błota, 31 ha). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 30,850 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Cedyński, 30,850 ha). Milvus milvus Red Kite B 1996 5 8 — B3 6,009 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Dolina Dolnej Odry, 1 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1997 6 6 — A1 6,009 ha). 1. Daily max. 25 on autumn passage; c.50 winter west of the IBA. ■ Conservation issues Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (3–5 pairs). Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Agricultural intensification/ expansion (U), Burning of vegetation (U), Industrialization/urbanization (U), ■ Protection status Infrastructure (B), Recreation/tourism (B) National High International None Heavy water-pollution is a threat, originating from agriculture, 79 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Gołowacz, 79 ha). 11 ha of industry (chemical, harbour operations, ships and energy) and IBA covered by Nature Reserve ( Buczyna, 11 ha). 17,763 ha domestic sewage (from local and upstream sources). Disturbance of of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Iński, 17,763 ha). birds also occurs. ■ Conservation issues Threats Recreation/tourism (U) Miedwie lake A4i, B1i 007 There is some erosion of morainal areas by vehicle and foot traffic. Admin region zachodnio-pomorskie Coordinates 53°16’N 14°52’E Altitude — Area 3,200 ha S³owiñski National Park A4i, B1i 009 Admin region pomorskie ■ Site description Coordinates 54°41’N 17°16’E A large lake with a moderate level of nutrients, bordered to the south Altitude 0–115 m Area 18,247 ha and west by extensive chalk fens and meadows, and to the east by adjoining alder Alnus forest. The Płonia river goes through the lake and flows into Dąbie lake. The lake is a drinking water reservoir for ■ Site description the city of Szczecin and also supports a fishery. The site protects a coastal landscape containing one of the largest areas of mobile sand-dunes in Europe (up to 40 m high), and three Habitats Scrub, Grassland (10%; humid grassland), Wetland (90%; standing fresh water; brackish coastal lakes, the largest being Łebsko (7,140 ha, 5–6 m deep) river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring) and the second largest Gardno (2,468 ha, 2–6 m deep). The lakes are Land-use Agriculture (30%), Fisheries/aquaculture (20%), Hunting, Water surrounded by wet meadows, pastures, and forests of alder Alnus and management (50%) oak Quercus, and are bordered by extensive beds of reed Phragmites and reed-mace Typha. The Łupawa and Łeba rivers flow in to the ■ Birds lakes. Some hollows between dunes are covered by pioneer plant communities and by wet heathland in various stages of development. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1993 — — — A4i, B1i Habitats Forest and woodland (24%; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1993 — — — B1i Scrub (heathland), Grassland, Wetland (67%; saltmarsh; sand-dunes/sand beach; 1. See text. standing fresh water; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (9%) Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (25%), Forestry (10%), Nature conservation/research (48%), Up to 12,000–14,000 Anser fabalis and A. albifrons stage here in Tourism/recreation (17%) autumn, with up to 1,500 such birds in winter. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair feeds in the area, nesting nearby), Crex crex (one ■ Birds pair), Acrocephalus paludicola (nine singing males). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 ■ Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1995 — 4,500 — A4i, B1i Protection status 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1995 — 6,500 — B1i National None International None 1 Mergus merganser Goosander P 1995 2,500 3,000 — A4i, B1i 1. 1991–1995. ■ Conservation issues Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U) criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (4 pairs), Crex crex (10–15 pairs). Other Pollution from agricultural sources affects drinking water and poses notable breeding species are Bubo bubo (4 pairs) and Circus pygargus a threat to the site. (7–10 pairs).

553 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

■ Protection status hummocks, valleys and troughs, and is drained by the river National High International High and its many tributaries (the largest being the Zbrzyca). Some of the 18,247 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Słowiński, 18,247 ha). rivers have steep gradients and strong flows. Of 60 lakes in this area, 5,920 ha of IBA covered by 15 Nature Reserves (Bielice; Bory Torfowe; the largest is Charzykowskie lake (1,363 ha), and the deepest is Gackie Lęgi; Gardnieńskie Lęgi; Jezioro Dołgie Małe; Klukowe Buki; Ostrowite lake (43 m deep). Many are flow-lakes, being part of the Klukowe Lęgi; Mierzeja; Moroszka; Olszyna; Rowokół; Słowińskie Brda river system, and most have low to moderate levels of nutrients. Błota; Wyspa Kamienna na jeziorze Gardno; Żarnowisko; Żarnowskie Forests are dominated by Pinus. On richer soils there are Lęgi; combined area 5,920 ha). 18,247 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar dry-ground forests of hornbeam Carpinus, birch Betula, beech Fagus Site (Słowiński, 18,247 ha). 18,247 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere and oak Quercus, and near watercourses and reservoirs there is Reserve (Słowiński, 18,247 ha). riverside carr and forest of alder Alnus. There are fens, connected with rivers and lakes, as well as (in hollows) raised bogs and transitional ■ Conservation issues mires. Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Agricultural intensification/ Habitats Forest and woodland (66%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous expansion (U), Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Drainage (A), Industrialization/urbanization (U) forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (heathland), Grassland (7%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (12%; standing fresh water; river/stream; Heavy water-pollution poses a threat, stemming from agriculture, raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape industry, domestic sewage and fisheries. Reduced cattle-grazing has (15%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; ruderal land) caused a long-term reduction in the number of breeding waders. Land-use Agriculture (17%), Fisheries/aquaculture (8%), Forestry (57%), Hunting, Nature Drainage of a large area adjacent to the National Park has destroyed conservation/research (12%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) extensive areas of wet meadow and bog within the park.

■ Birds S³upia Valley Landscape Park A1 010 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region pomorskie 1 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan W 1995 50 400 A B1i, B3 Coordinates 54°18’N 17°19’E Milvus milvus Red Kite B 1991 — 15 A B3 Altitude 20–160 m Area 37,040 ha 2 Bubo bubo Eagle Owl R 1996 7 10 A B2 1. 1984–1995. 2. 1984–1996. ■ Site description The site comprises a Landscape Park which protects both the basin of An important wintering site for swans Cygnus (all three European the middle Słupia river (including tributaries: Bytowa, Jutrzenka, species), which also holds 10% of the national population of Pandion Kamienica, Skotawa) as well as many lakes (the largest being Jasień, haliaetus on passage. A total of 107 species have been recorded Głębokie, and Skotowskie). The lakes have low levels of nutrients. breeding; breeding species of global conservation concern that do not There are many ravines. Forest is 40–100 years old, mainly pine Pinus, meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (three pairs). beech Fagus and hornbeam Carpinus on dry ground, with some mixed Pinus and oak Quercus. In the swamps there is bog forest of alder ■ Protection status Alnus, and in the stream valleys there is alder Alnus scrub. National High International None 4,789 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Bory Tucholskie, 4,789 ha). Habitats Forest and woodland (72%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous 41 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Bagno Stawek, 41 ha). 70 ha forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (8%; steppe/dry calcareous of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Laska, 70 ha). 38 ha of grassland; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (6%; standing fresh water; IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Małe Łowne, 38 ha). 11 ha river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (14%; highly of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Nawionek, 11 ha). improved reseeded grassland; arable land; ruderal land) 31,279 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Zaborski, 31,279 ha). Land-use Agriculture (21%), Forestry (72%), Hunting, Water management (6%) ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Groundwater abstraction (B), Intensified forest management (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 15 20 A A1 Selective logging/cutting (B) A total of 138 species have been recorded breeding, including Forestry work close to, or in, buffer zones designated for nesting Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair; species is of global conservation concern Haliaeetus albicilla, Bubo bubo and Ciconia nigra disturbs these but does not meet IBA criteria) and Grus grus (34–45 pairs). particular species, as does tourism/recreation.

■ Protection status National High International None Puck Bay A4i, A4iii, B1i 012 31,279 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Zaborski, 31,279 ha). Admin region pomorskie Coordinates 54°34’N 18°37’E ■ Conservation issues Altitude 0–2 m Area 56,000 ha Threats Afforestation (U), Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (U), Drainage (U), Filling-in of wetlands (U), Recreation/tourism (B), Selective logging/cutting (U) ■ Site description There is accidental disturbance to birds by tourism. A project has been The north-westernmost part of the Gulf of Gdańsk, divided into a underway since 1986 to encourage the breeding of Mergus merganser shallow western part (also called Puck lagoon; 10,400 ha, average and Bucephala clangula on islands in Jasien lake (over 100 nest-boxes). depth 3 m) and a deeper eastern part. The eastern border of this site is the nominal line between the top of Hel peninsula and Gdańsk city. The total length of coastline is c.100 km. Also included in this site are various remnant coastal meadows (totalling 388 ha). Around Puck Middle part of Tuchola forest B1i, B2, B3 011 Bay there are some small fishing harbours and, further to the south- Admin region pomorskie west, there are large harbours at and Gdańsk. Coordinates 53°50’N 17°32’E Altitude 119–207 m Area 38,815 ha Habitats Grassland (humid grassland), Wetland (100%; saltmarsh; sand-dunes/ sand beach; coastal lagoon; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation) ■ Site description Land-use Agriculture (5%), Fisheries/aquaculture (45%), Nature conservation/ The area is part of the great Tuchola ‘sandr’ (outwash plain of glacial research (5%), Tourism/recreation (15%), Urban/industrial/transport (30%) origin). The terrain is varied, with elevated plains, extensive hills, many

554 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

■ Birds intense, with very high rates of turn-over; Calidris species dominate Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria (up to 8,000 waders ringed in a season). When flooded, the meadows 1 Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe W 1996 500 3,900 A B1i near the southern border of the IBA support thousands of ducks and 1 Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe P 1996 500 3,900 A B1i waders. Other waterbirds supported in high numbers include Clangula 1 Podiceps auritus Slavonian Grebe P 1996 50 300 A B1i hyemalis (30,000, winter) and non-breeding terns in summer/autumn 1 Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant P 1996 1,000 6,000 B B1i (max. 1,000 Sterna sandvicensis; max. 3,000 Sterna hirundo). Overall, 1 Cygnus olor Mute Swan W 1996 1,800 3,530 A B1i at least 22 waterbird species have been recorded breeding, with at least 1 Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck W 1996 5,000 31,600 A A4i, B1i 120 waterbird species recorded in the non-breeding season. 1 Bucephala clangula Goldeneye W 1996 1,500 4,000 A B1i 1 Mergus albellus Smew W 1996 10 260 A B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 2 Mergus merganser Goosander W 1997 500 4,500 A A4i, B1i 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1998 4,000 4,000 A B1i 2 1. 1991–1996. Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck W 1996 2,000 17,500 A A4i, B1i 2 2. 1991–1997. Aythya marila Scaup W 1996 300 12,500 A A4i, B1i, B2 2 Bucephala clangula Goldeneye W 1996 500 12,200 A A4i, B1i A very important site for wintering and migrating waterbirds, holding 3 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle P 1996 — 20 A A1 well over 20,000 waterbirds during winter, sometimes exceeding 4 Larus minutus Little Gull P 1993 — 40,000 — A4i, B1i 50,000 birds. During severe winters the bay is covered by ice and birds Larus canus Common Gull W 1993 — 100,000 — A4i, B1i have to move elsewhere. During autumn and spring migration the 5 Larus canus Common Gull P — — 150,000 — A4i, B1i coastal meadows (sometimes flooded) attract large numbers of 6 Larus canus Common Gull N — — 40,000 — A4i, B1i waterbirds, particularly waders (up to some thousands), and overhead Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1997 — 61 A B2 4 Chlidonias niger Black Tern P 1993 — 5,000 — A4i, B1i migration of raptors is pronounced in spring. Beka Nature Reserve supports the largest concentration of breeding Calidris alpina schinzii 1. 1998 only. 2. 1991–1996. in Poland (c.10–12 pairs) and meadows near Mechelinki support a 3. Intense spring passage; also a winter visitor. few additional pairs. More than 300 bird species have been recorded 4. Summer/autumn. in the area. 5. Autumn. 6. Individuals; summer. ■ Protection status National Partial International None ■ Protection status 200 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Beka, 200 ha). About National Partial International None 11,000 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Nadmorski, 17,850 ha). 150 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Mewia Łacha, 150 ha).

■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Dredging/canalization (A), Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Dredging/canalization (A), Natural events (B), Natural events (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C), Other (B) Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C), Other (B) Tourism/recreation, hunting and uncontrolled human access along Tourism/recreation, hunting, poaching and uncontrolled human access the coast disturb nesting and staging birds. Oil pollution resulting all lead to significant disturbance of birds. Storms in spring/summer from oil-tanker accidents is a potential hazard. Water-pollution by flood the tern Sterna colonies on islets, forcing birds to re-nest in less domestic sewage has been very heavy in the past; discharges are now safe areas. Locally increasing populations of gulls Larus argentatus more purified but still affect submerged vegetation. The coastal salt- and mammalian predators are reducing the number of nesting waders meadows have been disappearing due to land-use changes. Many and terns. A proposed series of dams along the lower Wisła diving birds drown in fishing nets (impact not yet known). Kuling (‘cascadization’) is potentially a great threat to the area. Gdańsk Waterfowl Research Group is carrying out a long-term study of wader Ornithological Station is carrying out a long-term study of wader migration at the Rewa river mouth and carries out winter waterbird migration. counts.

Wis³a lagoon A4i, A4iii, B1i 014 Wis³a river mouth A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 013 Admin region pomorskie, warmiñsko-mazurskie Admin region pomorskie Coordinates 54°19’N 19°29’E Coordinates 54°21’N 18°57’E Altitude 2–2 m Area 33,000 ha Altitude 0–2 m Area 485 ha ■ Site description ■ Site description The site comprises the Polish part of this large, shallow coastal lagoon A 6 km stretch of the lower Wisła (Vistula) river from Przegalina sluice (up to 5 m deep) of brackish water, which is cut off from the Baltic to the river mouth, including a strip of meadows along the right bank Sea by the Wiśla spit. A narrow channel in the Russian part of the (between Mikoszewo and Drewnica). Habitats include sandy lagoon, through which sea water flows during heavy storms, joins the peninsulas, mobile sandflats, small sandy islets, temporary lakes and water-body with the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Gdańsk). There is some river adjacent dunes, freshwater lakes on either side of the Wisła channel, flow to the Polish part of the lagoon from the west, comprising a few and a small patch of coastal forest. The vegetation is very species-rich branches of the Wisła (Vistula) river deriving from the uplands. The and at the river mouth shows all stages of natural succession from water-level fluctuates significantly on a daily basis (by up to 1.5 m) bare sandflats to bushes and forest on the oldest areas. Willow Salix because of wind effects. There are extensive reedbeds (Phragmites) has been planted to stabilize dunes. The meadows are flooded in spring along the shore, forming one or two belts up to 100 m wide, as well as (occasionally at other seasons) and are grazed, mainly by cattle. rich floating and submerged vegetation (Nymphaea, Potamogeton) which supports a very rich invertebrate and fish fauna. Land-uses Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous include intensive reed-harvesting (‘Other’). forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (25%; steppe/ dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (60%; saltmarsh; sand-dunes/sand Habitats Wetland (100%; coastal lagoon; water-fringe vegetation) beach; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation) Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (60%), Hunting (10%), Other (10%), Tourism/ Land-use Agriculture (5%), Fisheries/aquaculture (50%), Forestry (5%), Hunting, Nature recreation (20%) conservation/research (35%), Tourism/recreation (5%) ■ Birds ■ Birds The site regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds, mainly wildfowl A very important site for wintering, migrating and breeding waterbirds, Anser/Anas. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do regularly holding well over 20,000 individuals, sometimes exceeding not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (at least one pair), Crex 150,000 birds. In late summer and early autumn wader passage is crex (4–10 pairs). The most important parts of the site for birds in

555 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland general are Elbląg Bay and the Pasłęka mouth. Non-breeding birds I³awa forests A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 016 occur mainly in the coastal zone, from Przebrno village to the Pasłęka Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie mouth. Coordinates 53°43’N 19°33’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 91–126 m Area 25,279 ha Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 10,000 — — B1i Anas crecca Teal P 1996 10,000 — — B1i ■ 1 Aythya ferina Pochard P 1996 5,000 — A B1i Site description 2 Bucephala clangula Goldeneye P 1996 3,000 — A B1i Iława Forest Landscape Park is an extensive complex of forests 3,4 Mergus albellus Smew W 1996 1,200 3,200 — A4i, B1i interspersed among 31 lakes (0.5–163 ha), the latter varying widely in 3 Larus minutus Little Gull P 1996 1,000 — — A4i, B1i nutrient level from rich to poor. Jeziorak, the longest lake in Poland, 1. Also breeds and moults at site. contains many islands. The site falls mainly within the Drwęca 2. Up to 2,700 in mild winters. catchment, but part is also drained by the , Osa and Dzieżgoń 3. 1989–1996. rivers. Forest is dominated by pine Pinus, beech Fagus and alder carr 4. Meets A4i in mild winters. Alnus. Lake shores are covered by reedbeds Phragmites and bogs.

Habitats Forest and woodland (62%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; ■ Protection status mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (20%; standing fresh water; river/stream; National Low International None raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (19%; arable land; ruderal land) 420 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Zatoka Elbląska, 420 ha). Land-use Agriculture (13%), Fisheries/aquaculture (20%), Forestry (62%), Hunting, Not utilized (1%), Tourism/recreation (5%) ■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Aquaculture/fisheries (A), ■ Birds Industrialization/urbanization (U), Natural events (U), Recreation/tourism (U), Other (U) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Heavy nutrient pollution from agriculture, industry and domestic Milvus milvus Red Kite B 1996 5 8 B B3 sewage is a threat. Birds become trapped in fish-nets. The changes in Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 7 8 A A1, B2 water-level affect breeding birds. Intensive reed-harvesting is also a Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1996 8 12 A B2 problem (‘Other’). The entire IBA lies within the buffer zones of two Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 100 — A A1, B2 1 Grus grus Crane P 1984 2,000 3,000 — A4i, B1i Landscape Parks (Mierzeja Wiślana, 22,390 ha; Wzniesienie Elbląskie, 48,591 ha), approximately equally divided between the two. 1. 1980–1984; autumn.

■ Protection status National High International None Dru¿no lake A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 015 12 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Czerwica [Bird Reserve], Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie 12 ha). 106 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jasne, 106 ha). 333 ha Coordinates 54°04’N 19°27’E of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Gaudy [Bird Reserve], Altitude 2–10 m Area 3,021 ha 333 ha). 25,045 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Pojezierza Iławskiego, 25,045 ha). ■ Site description A shallow, nutrient-rich lake (up to 1.5 m deep) surrounded by ■ Conservation issues extensive mires and swamp-forest. There is a significant daily Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Drainage (U), fluctuation in water-level, caused by wind-related water-level Intensified forest management (U), Recreation/tourism (U) fluctuation in the Wiślany lagoon, which connects with this site via the Elbląg river. There is a rich vegetation of floating (Nymphaea) Birds are disturbed by fishery activities and also accidentally by and submerged (Potamogeton) plants, as well as extensive reedbeds forestry and tourism. Rare raptors are kept under surveillance each Phragmites. Alder Alnus carr occurs along marshy shores. year by the Eagle Protection Committee.

Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (5%; humid grassland), Wetland (80%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) Dymerskie meadows A4i, B1i 017 Land-use Agriculture (80%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Hunting, Tourism/recreation (10%) Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie Coordinates 53°46’N 21°00’E Altitude 150–150 m Area 300 ha ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 5,000 7,000 A A4i, B1i Site description Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 — 10,000 A B1i An area of wet meadows on the site of a former lake (drained in the Anser anser Greylag Goose P — 1,000 2,000 — B1i 1930s), with a drainage system of channels and ditches, and partly Anas strepera Gadwall B — 50 100 A B2 covered with reedbed Phragmites and willow Salix scrub. Part of the 1 Anas strepera Gadwall P 1998 800 800 — B1i site is cultivated, as is all of the surrounding area. Reed-harvesting is a Grus grus Crane P 1993 — 2,000 A A4i, B1i land-use (‘Other’). Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1996 — 100 A B2 1. Spring/autumn. Habitats Scrub (3%; scrub), Grassland (80%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) The site regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds during spring Land-use Agriculture (20%), Hunting, Not utilized (70%), Other (10%) and autumn migration, mainly wildfowl Anser/Anas. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (2–3 pairs), Crex crex (2–3 pairs). ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Protection status 1 Grus grus Crane P 1993 — 2,500 — A4i, B1i National High International None 1. Autumn. 3,021 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Drużno, 3,021 ha). Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA ■ Conservation issues criteria: Crex crex (7–10 pairs). Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (A) ■ Protection status Nutrient pollution by agriculture, industry and domestic sewage poses National High International None a threat. Hunting in the nature reserve is intense. 300 ha of IBA covered by Ecological Area (Łąki Dymerskie, 300 ha).

556 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

■ Conservation issues Oœwin lake B3 019 Threats Drainage (U), Industrialization/urbanization (U), Other (U) Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie Coordinates 54°18’N 21°35’E A planned new housing estate nearby poses a threat, as does the Altitude 64–80 m Area 2,500 ha intensification of reed-harvesting (‘Other’).

■ Site description The site encompasses the nutrient-rich lake and adjoining wet forest Napiwodzko-Ramucka forest A1, B1i, B2, B3 018 and open areas with many swamps. Most of the previously pastured Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie areas are no longer used, and have reverted to swamps occupied by Coordinates 53°32’N 20°45’E young alder Alnus wood or sedge meadows. Open water is not Altitude 50–229 m Area 65,000 ha extensive, and the greater part of the lake is covered by reedbeds Phragmites. There are seven islands (all forested). The Oświnka river ■ Site description (tributary of the Łyna) rises from the lake. This varied moraine landscape is drained by the Omulew and Łyna Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous rivers (both rise here). There are many hollows or basins, covering forest; mixed forest), Grassland (15%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland 30% of the site and occupied by lakes, cave-lakes or mires. Thus there (40%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/ are 60 lakes, most of them rather small, with the largest being Łańskie transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (30%; arable land; ruderal land) (1,070 ha), Kośno (552 ha) and Omulew (549 ha). The water-bodies Land-use Agriculture (40%), Forestry (12%), Hunting, Nature conservation/research (40%), are moderate to rich in nutrients, with only a few of the nutrient-poor Not utilized (10%) type. Aquatic vegetation is species-rich and diverse. Lakes are surrounded by reed Phragmites, etc., beyond which are periodically flooded sedge-beds. In the wide valley there are fens and transitional ■ Birds mires; raised bogs are scarcer. Forests are mainly coniferous, Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria dominated by pine Pinus, and extend onto mires. Broadleaved forest Porzana parva Little Crake B 1996 75 80 A B3 is not common, dominated by hornbeam Carpinus on dry ground and by alder Alnus trees and willow Salix scrub along riversides. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair), Crex crex (four pairs). A total Habitats Forest and woodland (75%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very of 126 species have been recorded. wet forest), Scrub (scrub), Grassland (5%; mesophile grassland), Wetland (10%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), ■ Protection status Artificial landscape (10%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; ruderal land) National Partial International Partial Land-use Agriculture (15%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (70%), Hunting, Nature 1,007 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Siedmiu Wysp conservation/research (5%), Tourism/recreation (5%) [Bird Reserve], 1,007 ha). 1,007 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Jezioro Siedmiu Wysp, 1,007 ha). ■ Birds ■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1995 18 25 — B2 Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Deforestation Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1995 8 10 B B2 (commercial) (B), Drainage (C), Dredging/canalization (C), Infrastructure (C), Intensified Milvus migrans Black Kite B 1995 12 15 B B2 Milvus milvus Red Kite B 1995 10 12 B B3 forest management (B), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) 1 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle R 1996 9 11 A A1, B2 Following drainage operations in 1970 and intensive abstraction of Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1996 20 25 A B2 water from the Oświnka river outside the Nature Reserve, the lake- 2 Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse R 1995 50 60 — B2 Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 100 120 B A1, B2 level fell by c.1 m. This caused extensive vegetational changes, and Grus grus Crane B 1995 45 55 A B2 reduced bird numbers. To raise the water-level once more, a dam was 3 Grus grus Crane P — 1,500 — — B1i built on the Oświnka river in 1993. Hunting is unsustainable, and Coracias garrulus Roller B 1996 6 8 B B2 tourism/recreation causes disturbance to birds. There is a proposal to 1. Up to 22 birds at best feeding area (in flocks). expand the Nature Reserve boundary, based on studies in 1996. 2. Displaying males. 3. Autumn. About 160 species have been recorded breeding, with particularly high B2, B3 numbers of a variety of raptors. The site is also important for ducks, Borecka forest 020 Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie Grus grus, and waders during autumn migration, and is a moulting Coordinates 54°07’N 22°08’E place for 500–600 Cygnus olor. Altitude 133–223 m Area 22,000 ha ■ Protection status National Low International None ■ Site description 3,619 ha of IBA covered by 11 Nature Reserves (Bagno Nadrowskie; A forest complex, with most stands being broadleaved or mixed. The Dęby Napiwodzkie; Galwica; Jezioro Kośno; Jezioro Orłowo Małe; terrain is varied and is drained by small rivers, mainly of the Ełk Koniuszanka I; Koniuszanka II; Las Warminski; Małga; Sołtysek; catchment (a tributary of the Biebrza) with only a small part drained Źródła Rzeki Łyny; total area 3,619 ha). 192 ha of IBA covered by by the Gołdap (part of the Wielkie Jeziora Mazurskie catchment). Ecological Area (Stawy w Tylkówku, 192 ha). There are many water-bodies and a few larger lakes, with a lake complex in the south-eastern part of the site, where the largest lake is ■ Conservation issues Łaźno. Hollows are occupied by wet forest or open swamps. There are large areas of Picea forest and, on drier ground, of lime Threats Afforestation (B), Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Burning of vegetation (A), Tilia and hornbeam Carpinus. Fragments of remnant natural forest Drainage (U), Dredging/canalization (U), Infrastructure (B), Intensified forest management (A), are over 150 years old in some places. Many meadows are scattered Other (U), Recreation/tourism (B), Selective logging/cutting (U), Unsustainable exploitation (U) within the forest, some of them very wet. Threats include nutrient pollution and subsequent plant encroachment Habitats Forest and woodland (90%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; in water-bodies, drainage, poaching and excessive hunting, grass mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (humid grassland; mesophile grassland), burning in spring, intensive transportation, disturbance of nesting Wetland (5%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/ birds, impact of fishery on birds, unsustainably intense forest transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (5%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable management (tree-cutting, removal of old trees), and over-collection land; urban parks/gardens; other urban/industrial areas; ruderal land) of wild foodstuffs (‘Other’). The site comprises the planned Land-use Agriculture (5%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (90%), Hunting Napiwodzko-Ramucka Forest Landscape Park and its surroundings.

557 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

■ Birds Nietlickie marshes A1, A4i, B1i, B1iv, B2, B3 022 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1995 10 15 B B2 Coordinates 53°52’N 21°48’E Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1995 25 30 — B2 Altitude 100–150 m Area 1,200 ha Grus grus Crane B 1995 80 100 A B2 Picus canus B 1995 15 20 B B2 Grey-headed Woodpecker ■ Site description Ficedula albicollis B 1995 50 100 C B3 The site is the remnant of the drained Wąż lake, now a fen covered by Collared Flycatcher a system of drainage channels and surrounded by marshy forest of A total of 130 species have been recorded breeding or probably birch Betula and alder Alnus, willow Salix scrub and non-intensively breeding. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not used meadows. The site is drained by the Wężówka river, which flows meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (two pairs), Crex crex (rare). into Buwełno lake. The Nietlickie marshes are the largest and most intact fens in the whole of the Mazury lakeland, and are covered by ■ Protection status sedge-beds, reedbeds Phragmites and Salix scrub. In 1993 hay National Low International None harvesting and hunting were stopped there. Because of the large roost 232 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Borki, 232 ha). 49 ha of of Grus grus this area is intensively visited by birdwatchers. Minor IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Lipowy Jar, 49 ha). 373 ha of IBA land-uses include chalk mining. covered by Nature Reserve (Mazury, 373 ha). 3 ha of IBA covered by Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (25%; Nature Reserve (Wyspa Lipowa na Jeziorze Wielki Szwałk, 3 ha). humid grassland), Wetland (70%; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/ transition mire/spring) ■ Conservation issues Land-use Agriculture (15%), Forestry (5%), Not utilized (75%) Threats Afforestation (C), Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Aquaculture/ fisheries (C), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Drainage (B), Dredging/ ■ Birds canalization (A), Intensified forest management (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Selective logging/cutting (B) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1994 30 34 A B3 Tourism/recreation causes disturbance to birds. Intensive tree-felling, 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1994 22 25 A A1 and drainage, are also threats. 2 Grus grus Crane P 1994 — 5,000 A A4i, B1i Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1994 95 105 A B2 3 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1997 5 15 A A1 Aquatic Warbler £uknajno lake A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 021 1. Males. Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie 2. Most important site in autumn (less in spring). Coordinates 53°49’N 21°38’E 3. 1988–1997. Altitude 100–100 m Area 710 ha ■ Protection status ■ Site description National Partial International None A very shallow (up to 3 m deep) nutrient-rich lake, with adjoining 546 ha of IBA covered by Ecological Area (Bagna Nietlickie, 546 ha). sedge-beds, transitional mires, alder Alnus woodland and willow Salix scrub. The lake shores are covered by beds of bulrush Scirpus, reed ■ Conservation issues Phragmites and reed-mace Typha. Three-quarters of the lake bottom Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Afforestation (U), is covered by stonewort Chara and pondweed Potamogeton. The lake Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Burning of vegetation (U), Drainage (A), and a surrounding 100-m-wide belt are protected, but the area beyond Extraction industry (U), Industrialization/urbanization (B), Other (U), Recreation/ is cultivated. tourism (C) Habitats Forest and woodland (3%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (3%; scrub), Any expansion of lake-chalk mining is a threat to the site, as are Grassland (25%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (70%; standing fresh tourism (birdwatching) and associated bird disturbance, grass burning, water; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) the abandonment of cattle-grazing and of grass-mowing at the Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Nature conservation/research (90%) margins, hunting, and reed-harvesting (‘Other’ threat).

■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Pisz forest A1, B2 023 Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1993 25 30 — B2 Admin region warmiñsko-mazurskie, podlaskie Cygnus olor Mute Swan P — — 2,300 — B1i Coordinates 53°39’N 21°29’E 1 Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard P — 900 — — A4i, B1i Altitude 175–200 m Area 163,000 ha Porzana parva Little Crake B 1993 15 28 — B3 1. Autumn. ■ Site description Large concentrations of waterbirds occur, regularly exceeding Pisz forest lies on the border between the Great Mazury lake region 20,000 individuals, mainly swans, ducks, Fulica atra, and gulls Larus. and the Mazury lowlands, and the and rivers flow Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: through this area. The largest lake in Poland—Śniardwy (1,097 km2)— Haliaeetus albicilla (1–2 non-breeding birds feed in the IBA, nesting is located in the north-western part of the site, and there are also a nearby), Crex crex (4–6 pairs). dozen other lakes. Many tree species reach the limit of their range here. There are coniferous forests of pine Pinus with some smaller ■ Protection status areas of spruce Picea and broadleaved dry-ground forest of lime Tilia National High International High and hornbeam Carpinus. Around the lakes in wet areas there are alder 710 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Łuknajno, 710 ha). Alnus forests and different kinds of mire. 710 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Jezioro Łuknajno, 710 ha). Habitats Forest and woodland (67%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; river/ ■ Conservation issues stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (18%; highly improved Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Recreation/tourism (U) reseeded grassland; arable land; forestry plantation; urban parks/gardens; other urban/ industrial areas; ruderal land) Water overflow from Śniardwy lake threatens the shallow end of this Land-use Agriculture (18%), Fisheries/aquaculture (13%), Forestry (67%), Hunting, lake with nutrient pollution, following agricultural run-off in the Nature conservation/research (45%) surrounding area.

558 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

■ Birds ■ Protection status National Partial International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 15,113 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Wigierski, 15,113 ha). Anas querquedula Garganey B 1993 Uncommon — B2 761 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Kalejty, 761 ha). 314 ha Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle R 1996 22 26 A A1, B2 of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Kukle, 314 ha). 386 ha of IBA Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1996 80 — A B2 covered by 10 Nature Reserves (Jezioro Białe; Jezioro Długie; Crex crex Corncrake B 1993 Frequent — A1 Kamionka; Maniówka; Ostoja Bobrów Stary Folwark; Suchar Wielki; Bubo bubo Eagle Owl R 1996 7 10 B B2 Suche bagno; Wądołek; Wiatrołuża I & II; total area 386 ha). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (rare on passage), Crex crex (frequent breeder). ■ Conservation issues Threats Afforestation (U), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Intensified forest ■ Protection status management (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Selective logging/cutting (B) National Partial International None 5,078 ha of IBA covered by 10 Nature Reserves (Czaplisko-Ławny Afforestation with beech Fagus (outside its natural range) poses a Lasek [Bird Reserve]; Jezioro Lisiny [Peatbog Reserve]; Jezioro threat to Tetrao urogallus (its preferred habitat is conifers). Nidzkie [Landscape Reserve]; Jezioro Pogubie Wielkie [Bird Reserve]; Jezioro Warnołty; Krutynia; Królewska Sosna; Pierwos; Pupy; Strzałowo; total area 5,078 ha). 53,265 ha of IBA covered by A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 Landscape Park (Mazurski, 53,655 ha). Biebrza river valley 025 Admin region podlaskie Coordinates 53°30’N 22°50’E ■ Conservation issues Altitude 100–125 m Area 126,047 ha Threats Afforestation (A), Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Aquaculture/ fisheries (B), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Drainage (A), Dredging/canalization (B), ■ Site description Industrialization/urbanization (B), Intensified forest management (A), Recreation/ The site comprises the whole of the natural (unregulated) course of tourism (B), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) the Biebrza river (164 km long) and its valley, along the border of the Afforestation with non-native tree species is a threat, and recreation/ buffer zone of . The valley can be divided into tourism disturbs birds. three parts (the upper, middle and lower basin), which differ in physiography, hydrography and ecological character. In the upper basin the river is small and cuts through peat deposits. This area has been partly drained and presently consists of bogs, pastures and Augustów forest B2, B3 024 meadows, with fragments of marshy pine Pinus forest and mixed forest Admin region podlaskie of oak Quercus and Pinus. The middle basin is dominated by fens, Coordinates 53°54’N 23°16’E being a mosaic of open and scrub-covered sedge-beds and meadows Altitude 135–190 m Area 102,000 ha on alluvial soils. Here there are two extensive areas of natural birch Betula forest and some areas are covered with swampy alder Alnus ■ Site description forest (admixed with spruce Picea) and fragmented Pinus forest. The The forest is divided into two parts by the Augustów channel, through lower basin floods in spring, so is used for haymaking and non- which the Wołkuszanka river flows into the Niemen river. The intensive cattle- and horse-grazing. The lower basin is 30 km long and northern part is situated on the Augustów plain in the catchment of 5–12 km wide. Valley mires here (mainly fens) are natural and have the Czarna Hańcza and the Marycha rivers (tributaries of the Niemen). not been modified by man. Along the river are extensive wet meadows The southern part lies along the border between the Augustów plain (covering c.10% of the lower basin) and many oxbow lakes covered and the Biebrza valley. The forest is predominantly coniferous with reeds Phragmites. Areas which are regularly and extensively (spruce Picea and pine Pinus), including moist and swampy areas, flooded each spring are dominated by sedge-beds. Unflooded areas although large areas are also covered with alder Alnus and in some are covered by variably dense forest of willow Salix and Betula, as places there is well preserved dry-ground forest of lime Tilia and well as sedge-beds. Scrub succession here is proceeding rapidly. Farther hornbeam Carpinus. Many of the forest stands have a natural away from the river there are extensive young riverside forests Alnus character. There are several dozen lakes, the largest being Wigry lake in marshy areas and fragments of mixed forest Quercus/Pinus. (2,187 ha, 73 m in depth). Open areas are occupied by hay meadows Habitats Forest and woodland (28%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous and pastures. The National Park in the north-west of the site is used forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (20%; scrub), Grassland (6%; humid for recreation. grassland), Wetland (26%; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/ Habitats Forest and woodland (85%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (20%; highly improved reseeded grassland; forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (7%; standing fresh water; river/ other urban/industrial areas; ruderal land) stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (8%; highly improved Land-use Agriculture (26%), Forestry (28%), Hunting, Nature conservation/research (47%), reseeded grassland; arable land; ruderal land) Not utilized (43%) Land-use Agriculture (8%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (85%), Hunting, Nature conservation/research (23%) ■ Birds This is the most important breeding place in central and western ■ Birds Europe for some threatened or localized species such as Gallinago Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria media, Crex crex, Porzana porzana, Aquila clanga and Chlidonias 1 Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1996 20 — B B2 leucopterus, and is also an important site for migrating waders, ducks, 2 Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1996 27 39 A B2 geese and Grus grus. Breeding species of global conservation concern 3 Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard B 1996 50 75 A B3 that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (1–3 pairs), Haliaeetus 4 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1996 40 51 A B2 albicilla (four pairs), Crex crex (common). 5 Grus grus Crane B 1996 90 110 B B2 6 Picus canus Grey-headed Woodpecker R 1993 25 30 B B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1. In north. Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1990 45 55 A B2 2. 12–14 in south. Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern B 1979 20 50 B B2 3. 30–35 in south. Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1994 24 26 A B2 4. 29–31 in south. Ciconia ciconia White Stork B 1991 800 — A B2 5. 65–70 in south. Circus pygargus Montagu’s Harrier B 1980 72 — B B3 6. In south; unknown in north. Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1992 43 53 A B2 Over 200 species have been recorded, c.150 breeding. Breeding species 1 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1992 10 13 A A1, B2 2 of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse B 1997 185 220 B B2 2,3 Haliaeetus albicilla (1–2 pairs), Crex crex (rare), Gallinago media. Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1980 370 — C A1, A4i, B1i

559 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Marshy valley A1, B2, B3 027 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1980 996 — B B2 of the Narew river Tringa totanus Redshank B 1980 195 — B B2 Admin region podlaskie Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1980 537 905 B A4i, B1i, B2 Coordinates 53°05’N 22°52’E 4 Chlidonias leucopterus B 1996 475 1,000 B A4i, B1i White-winged Black Tern Altitude 107–122 m Area 9,332 ha Bubo bubo Eagle Owl B 1993 24 25 A B2 5 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1997 2,041 2,082 B A1, B2 ■ Site description Aquatic Warbler A marshy stretch of the Narew valley, spanning 58 km between Suraż 1. 1989–1993. town and Żółtki village, and from 300 m to 4 km wide. The valley has 2. Displaying males. 3. 1976–1980. a natural character between Suraż and Rzędziny towns and is 4. 1979 and 1996. periodically flooded. The Narew is a braided, meandering river, and 5. Singing males in 1997. creates a system which occupies the whole width of the valley floor in some places. There is a very rich mosaic of plant communities—mainly ■ Protection status beds of reed Phragmites and sedge Carex, alder Alnus forest and National Partial International Partial riverside scrub of willow Salix. 59,223 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Biebrzański, 59,223 ha). Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous 59,223 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Biebrzański, 59,223 ha). forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (3%; scrub), Grassland (10%; steppe/ dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (67%; ■ Conservation issues standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), mire/spring), Artificial landscape (13%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) land; ruderal land) Land-use Agriculture (10%), Hunting, Nature conservation/research (78%), Tourism/ Unsustainable exploitation of birds is high. In the upper basin, local recreation (5%), Water management (7%) people propose further drainage of bogs, and illegal fires are set by land-owners every year. The middle basin was partly drained in the nineteenth century. Fishermen and tourists cause some disturbance ■ Birds to birds. The part of the IBA outside the National Park comprises the Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria buffer zone to the park. The site is an amalgamation of three sites (the Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1994 19 45 — B2 former ‘PL100’–‘PL102’) identified in the previous pan-European IBA 1 Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1994 — 74 — B3 inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989). 2 Porzana parva Little Crake B 1992 10 50 — B3 3,4 Crex crex Corncrake B 1994 — 70 — A1 5 Luscinia luscinia Thrush Nightingale B 1992 — 400 — B3 6 Locustella luscinioides Savi’s Warbler B 1994 — 400 B B3 Narew river gaps A1, B2 026 3 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1994 — 50 — B2 Admin region podlaskie Aquatic Warbler Coordinates 53°07’N 22°11’E 1. 200–400 in 1979–1981. Altitude 100–120 m Area 4,200 ha 2. 80–250 in 1979–1981. 3. 1988–1994. 4. 150 in 1979–1981. ■ Site description 5. Over 220 in 1979–1981. 6. 1,500–2,000 in 1979–1981. The site comprises the Narew river valley between the drained marshes and the town of Łomża. The valley is narrow (up to 1.2 km Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA wide) and deeply cut into the plain, with a close to natural character. criteria: Aythya nyroca (formerly one pair, now extinct here), Gallinago The valley bottom is covered mainly by peat, to varying depths. There media (6–8 pairs). are yearly floods, especially in spring. Flood-plain vegetation includes submerged waterweed (e.g. Potamogeton), reedbeds Phragmites, ■ Protection status meadows, sedge-beds, dry sandy grassland, and fragmented forest of National Partial International None alder Alnus. Valley slopes are covered with oak Quercus forest, above 7,350 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Narwiański, 7,350 ha). which is patchy dry-ground forest of lime Tilia and hornbeam Carpinus. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; broadleaved deciduous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (15%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (75%; standing Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Dredging/canalization (U) fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) During 1978–1981 the riverbed between Rędziny and Żółtki towns Land-use Agriculture (80%), Forestry (10%), Hunting, Tourism/recreation (10%) (8 km long) was straightened, broadened and deepened, and meanders were cut off. This drastically reduced water-levels in the river channels ■ Birds and adjoining areas, and the area became intensively used for Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria agriculture. However, soils became parched, water was lost from wells 1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1993 30 — — A1 in the surrounding area, and the vegetation composition changed. Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1993 78 85 — B2 There are efforts to stop further degradation by reconstruction of river 2 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1993 — 43 — A1, B2 riffles in the area of Rędziny Dam. Aquatic Warbler 1. Displaying males at four sites. 2. Males. B2, B3 A total of 178 species have been recorded, including 125 breeders. Knyszyñ forest 028 Admin region podlaskie Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA Coordinates 53°15’N 23°20’E criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair), Crex crex. Altitude 30–160 m Area 110,000 ha ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Site description A fragmented forest, historically divided into the Błudowska, Knyszyń, ■ Conservation issues Malawicka, Odelska and Supraśl forests, with numerous seepages, springs (c.450), clean streams and small rivers. The terrain is varied. Threats Infrastructure (U) River valleys, mainly drained, are occupied by fens and transitional A new bridge system is planned as part of a new around mires covered by reedbeds Phragmites and sedge-beds Carex. In Łomża and poses a potential threat to the site. stagnant hollows there are transitional mires and, more rarely, raised

560 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland bogs. Although many stands still have a natural character, most are A total of 105 species have been recorded breeding. Species of global rather young (40–70 years old). About 80% of the forest is coniferous, conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla dominated by pine Pinus and spruce Picea. Broadleaved forest is (one bird on passage), Crex crex (20–40 breeding birds). dominated by lime Tilia and hornbeam Carpinus, with ash Fraxinus and alder Alnus in riverine habitats and birch Betula in marshy areas. ■ Protection status Open areas are occupied by fields, meadows, pastures and human National Low International None settlements. 114 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Gorbacz [Peatbog Reserve], 114 ha). Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (10%; ■ Conservation issues standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (10%; arable land; ruderal land) Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Agricultural intensification/ Land-use Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting expansion (C), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Drainage (B), Dredging/canalization (A), Recreation/tourism (U), Selective logging/cutting (B) ■ Birds Tourism/recreation causes disturbance to birds. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1993 14 16 — B2 Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard B 1993 60 70 — B3 Upper Narew river valley A1, B2, B3 030 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1993 48 50 — B2 Admin region podlaskie 1 Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse B 1993 — 100 — B2 Coordinates 52°55’N 23°25’E 1. Displaying males. Altitude 0–100 m Area 8,400 ha A total of 154 species have been recorded, including 139 breeding. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet ■ Site description IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (two pairs), Crex crex, Gallinago The site comprises a stretch of the upper Narew valley between the media. dam at Bondary village and the town of Suraż, as well as the Pietkowo pond complex near Suraż. The Narew river has a natural character, ■ Protection status and the valley is up to 3 km wide. Flood-plain plant communities National Partial International None depend on annual river flooding: beds of sedge and reed-grass Glyceria 2,930 ha of IBA covered by 18 Nature Reserves (Bahno w Borkach; dominate, while small patches of reed Phragmites, scrub and Budzisk; Jałówka; Jesionowe Góry; Karczmisko; Krasne; Krzemianka; willow Salix woodland occur along the river. Forest covers only 5% Krzemienne Góry; Kulikówka; Las Cieliczański; Międzyrzecze; of the valley; open areas are mainly pastures and hay meadows. The Pieszczana Góra; Stara Dębina; Stare Biele; Starodrzew Szyndzielski; Pietkowo pond complex adjoins extensive mixed and broadleaved Surażkowo; Wielki Las; Woronicza; combined area 2,930 ha). forests. The ponds are densely overgrown with rushes and reeds 73,094 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Puszczy Knyszyńskiej Phragmites, with smaller amounts of sedge, reed-mace Typha and im. Prof. Witolda Sławińskieg, 73,094 ha). bulrush Scirpus.

Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest; ■ Conservation issues alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (50%; humid grassland; Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/ mesophile grassland), Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; river/stream; barrage (U), Deforestation (commercial) (U), Dredging/canalization (U) water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (10%; arable land; ruderal land), Unknown (15%) Water pollution from agriculture poses a threat. Land-use Agriculture (70%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Forestry (5%), Hunting, Unknown (15%)

Gródek–Micha³owo basin A1, B2 029 ■ Birds Admin region podlaskie Coordinates 53°04’N 23°40’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 146–160 m Area 4,700 ha Circus pygargus Montagu’s Harrier B 1993 42 44 — B3 Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1993 30 40 — B3 Porzana parva Little Crake B 1993 35 35 — B3 ■ Site description Crex crex Corncrake B 1993 310 370 — A1, B2 The site consists of a large basin covered by a thick layer of peat. The 1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1993 80 110 — A1 basin drains into the upper course of the Supraśl river, which traverses Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1993 330 330 — B2 the northern part of the site. Most of the area has been drained by Tringa totanus Redshank B 1993 215 215 — B2 man, but in many places there are still mires. The central part of the Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl B 1993 2 2 — B2 Locustella naevia Grasshopper Warbler B 1993 100 130 — B3 basin is occupied by fens (mainly sedge-beds, occasionally reedbeds Acrocephalus paludicola B 1993 18 23 — A1 Phragmites), while the southern part is raised bog, with marshy forest Aquatic Warbler and a variety of bog mosses. There are two small lakes, Gorbacz and 1. Displaying males. Wiejki. The marshy forest is dominated by birch Betula and pine Pinus, with alder Alnus scrub also common. A total of 145 species have been recorded breeding (49 at Pietkowo ponds). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest; criteria: Aythya nyroca (one breeding pair), Haliaeetus albicilla (non- alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (50%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), breeding visitor). Wetland (30%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (5%; highly improved reseeded grassland; ■ Protection status arable land) National None International None Land-use Agriculture (55%), Forestry (5%), Hunting, Not utilized (40%) ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Groundwater abstraction (U) 1 Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse R 1995 35 70 C B2 Fish-farming activities include the dredging of ponds and lowering of 1,2 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 15 30 C A1 the water-level in the area of the ponds. Abandonment of management 1. Displaying males. of hay meadows and pasture has reduced the suitability of these 2. 1986–1995. habitats for some birds.

561 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

forest (more than 100,000 tonnes per year) is a threat (‘Other’), and Bia³owie¿a forest A1, B2, B3 031 forestry and tourism cause disturbance to birds. Since 1991 efforts Admin region podlaskie have been made to protect the whole of Białowieża forest in Poland, Coordinates 52°46’N 23°43’E involving OTOP and other nature-conservation organisations. About Altitude 135–197 m Area 62,500 ha 80 projects relevant to nature conservation have been carried out in the area. ■ Site description The site comprises the Polish part of the Białowieża forest, one of the largest and best preserved areas of primary lowland temperate forest A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 in Europe, together with small remnants of the Ladzka forest. The Warta flood-plain– 032 S³oñsk forest covers 1,500 km2 of flat plain, of which 620 km2 are in Poland, Admin region lubuskie the rest in Belarus. Moraine hills rise only c.30 m above the landscape. Coordinates 52°34’N 14°43’E All rivers which run through the forest have water sources there or on Altitude 10–16 m Area 4,244 ha its periphery. Most of the forest lies in the Narew and Bug tributaries of the Wisła (Vistula) catchment. The northern part is drained by tributaries of the Niemen, and the western part is part of the Dniestr ■ Site description catchment. There is an almost total lack of standing water, apart from The site includes the flood-plain of the Warta river, where it meets small bogs. The proportion of forest that can be classed as primeval is the Odra river, and the lower course of the Postomia river. There not large, but many trees are over 200 years old (old-growth). Most are unregulated stretches of river, oxbow lakes, old drainage forest is on dry ground, dominated by lime Tilia and hornbeam channels, small lakes, periodically flooded meadows, and pastures. Carpinus, while the most interesting ornithologically is dominated by The area floods almost every year, with annual fluctuations in water- oak Quercus. Along valley watercourses there is carr of alder Alnus level of up to 3.5 m. Highest levels are in March and April. In some and ash Fraxinus, with Alnus forest in swampy hollows. There is mixed years the whole area is underwater all year, in others for only a few forest of pine Pinus and Quercus, as well as coniferous forest (mainly months or not at all. Accordingly, the vegetation varies in different on wet soils) dominated by spruce Picea and Pinus. As a result of years. During heavy floods water-fringe vegetation predominates, centuries of man’s activities there are clearings, forest settlements, hay- mainly reed Phragmites and especially reed-grass Glyceria and canary- meadows along rivers, road systems and trails, narrow-gauge railways, grass Phalaris, occupying a few hundred hectares. Large areas that felling sites, hunting areas and gravel-pits. have recently emerged from water are occupied by ruderal herbs Polygonum/Bidens. When the flood is limited or does not occur, such Habitats Forest and woodland (85%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous vegetation dies and is replaced by dry-ground vegetation and willow forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (5%; humid grassland; Salix bushes. mesophile grassland), Wetland (5%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (5%; highly improved reseeded grassland; Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (scrub), Grassland arable land; urban parks/gardens; other urban/industrial areas; ruderal land) (15%; humid grassland), Wetland (80%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe Land-use Agriculture (5%), Forestry (70%), Hunting, Nature conservation/research (20%), vegetation) Urban/industrial/transport (5%) Land-use Agriculture (10%), Water management (100%)

■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1987 34 34 A B2 1 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1997 35 1,600 A A4i, B1i Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard B 1986 83 86 A B3 2 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 — — A A4i, B1i Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1991 68 68 A B2 2 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 — — A A4i, B1i Crex crex Corncrake B — Frequent — A1 3 Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1996 130 450 — B1i Dendrocopos medius R — Abundant — B3 Anas strepera Gadwall B 1996 30 300 A B2 4 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Aythya ferina Pochard R 1996 40 610 A B3 5 Haliaeetus albicilla W 1996 1 31 A A1 A total of 250 species have been recorded, including 177–180 breeding. White-tailed Eagle The site is especially rich in breeding raptors (15 species extant, two Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1996 14 105 A B3 extinct), owls (eight species extant, one extinct) and woodpeckers (eight 5 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 10 34 A A1 5,6 species, out of nine in Europe). Breeding species of global conservation Grus grus Crane P 1996 — 2,450 A A4i, B1i concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Gallinago media (rare). Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1996 70 620 A B2 1. 1991–1997. ■ 2. Max. 180,000 A. fabalis/A. albifrons, 1991–1996. Protection status 3. Also 2,500 moulting birds. National Partial International Partial 4. 840 on passage 10,502 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Białowieski, 10,502 ha). 5. 1991–1996. 6. Autumn. 3,463 ha of IBA covered by 20 Nature Reserves (Berezowo; Dolina Waliczówki; Dębowy Grąd; Gnilec; Głęboki Kąt; Kozłowe Borki; A very important area for moulting, staging, wintering and roosting Lipiny; Michnówka; Nieznanowo; Olszanka Myśliszcze; Podcerkwia; waterbirds, mainly wildfowl. Up to 33,000 duck (Anatidae) stage here Podolany; Pogorzelce; Przewłoka; Władysława Szafera; Siemianówka; during spring migration, with up to 78,000 in autumn. Over 240 species Sitki; Starzyna; Szczekotowo; Wysokie Bagno; combined area have been recorded, including 160 breeding species. Data in table are 3,463 ha). 10,502 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Białowieża for 1991–1996 unless otherwise stated National Park, 10,502 ha). 10,502 ha of IBA covered by World Heritage Site (Białowieża National Park, 10,502 ha). ■ Protection status National High International High ■ Conservation issues 4,244 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Słońsk, 4,244 ha). 4,244 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Ujście Warty, 28,000 ha). Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Afforestation (C), Agricultural 4,244 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Słońsk, 4,244 ha). intensification/expansion (C), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (B), Deforestation (commercial) (U), Filling-in of wetlands (B), Groundwater abstraction (B), ■ Conservation issues Industrialization/urbanization (C), Intensified forest management (A), Other (A), Recreation/tourism (C), Selective logging/cutting (A) Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Dredging/canalization (B), Infrastructure (C) The greatest threat is from the ongoing replacement of primeval forest by plantations, through intensified forest management, clear-felling, Threats include a lack of water in some years (due to management of selective logging, and afforestation with conifers. Railway transport water-levels primarily for human uses), overgrazing by domestic geese of very large quantities of highly toxic chemicals through the and cattle, strong expansion of willow Salix scrub (partly due to

562 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland abandonment of agriculture), disturbance of birds, river dredging, and ■ Protection status recreation, tourism and hunting. National None International None

■ Conservation issues Noteæ river flood-plain A1 033 Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Agricultural intensification/ Admin region wielkopolskie expansion (B), Drainage (A), Intensified forest management (A) Coordinates 52°58’N 16°25’E The main threats are further drainage and intensification of forest Altitude 0–20 m Area 10,000 ha management. The site is adjacent to the Przemęcki Landscape Park (21,400 ha). ■ Site description The site comprises the stretch of the lower Noteć river valley between the Gwda inflow and Wieleń town. Along the river there are flood- Wonieœæ reservoir B2 035 plain terraces and oxbow lakes, with extensive riverine forests, large Admin region wielkopolskie reedbeds, fens and flooded meadows, and peat workings covered by Coordinates 51°59’N 16°44’E water-fringe vegetation and scattered trees. Soils range from Altitude 100–100 m Area 900 ha permanently wet to highly drained, and in some places have been converted to arable land. ■ Site description Habitats Forest and woodland (alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (scrub), Grassland (10%; A storage reservoir (777 ha) on the Samica river, connected by the steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (90%; standing fresh water; Wonieść channel to the Obra river. The reservoir comprises five former river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape lakes (Drzeczkowskie, Witosławskie, Wojnowskie, Jezierzyckie, (highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) Wonieść), connected by a narrow channel (c.13 km long, 200–1,300 m Land-use Agriculture (100%), Hunting wide), with meadows between them. A dam and sluice divide the upper part of the reservoir, where aquatic vegetation is well-developed, from ■ Birds the lower, where such vegetation is very localized. Adjacent there are Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria fish-ponds, forests, meadows and cultivated fields. The reservoir stores Crex crex Corncrake B 1987 51 53 — A1 water for agriculture and fire-fighting. Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (mesophile grassland), Wetland Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair feeds in the area, nesting nearby). Other (86%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (9%; highly notable breeding species include Limosa limosa (70 pairs) and improved reseeded grassland; arable land; ruderal land) Chlidonias niger (52 pairs). Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (75%), Forestry (5%), Hunting, Tourism/recreation (15%), Water management (40%) ■ Protection status National High International None 5 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Czapliniec Kuźnicki, 5 ha). ■ Birds 10,000 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Dolina Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Noteci, 68,840 ha). 1 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1988 5 11 A B2 1. Recently extinct, but important site for species’s recovery or re-introduction. ■ Conservation issues The globally threatened Aythya nyroca has not bred here since 1995, Threats Drainage (U), Selective logging/cutting (U) but the habitat remains and it is believed there is a good chance that it Threats include the cutting of trees and shrubs. could breed here again, therefore criterion B2 is still applied. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair). Other notable breeding species include Anas strepera (22 pairs) and Chlidonias niger (20–60 pairs). Obra river flood-plain B2 034 Admin region wielkopolskie ■ Protection status Coordinates 52°05’N 16°22’E National High International None Altitude 61–77 m Area 16,000 ha 900 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Krzywińsko– Osiecki, 71,425 ha). ■ Site description The widest part of the valley of the middle Obra river is characterized ■ Conservation issues by forests and meadows, without larger settlements or a developed Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Agricultural intensification/ road system. The valley is divided up by channels and ditches which expansion (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (C), drain to the west (two main channels) or to the east to the Warta river Recreation/tourism (C) via the Mosiński channel. The principal valley habitats are wet fields, marshes, and swamp forests of Alnus. Fields are intensively cultivated; Birds are disturbed by fisheries, hunting, tourism and angling, and wet grassland and scrub are not common. Forest of pine Pinus and are also threatened by rapid changes in water-level. oak Quercus covers the higher elevations.

Habitats Forest and woodland (30%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (20%; standing fresh water; Middle Warta river valley A1, A4iii, B2, B3 036 raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (40%; highly improved Admin region wielkopolskie reseeded grassland; arable land) Coordinates 52°12’N 18°10’E Land-use Agriculture (60%), Forestry (30%), Hunting, Urban/industrial/transport (10%) Altitude 20–60 m Area 32,000 ha

■ Birds ■ Site description Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria A 120 km stretch of the middle Warta river between Babin village Falco tinnunculus Kestrel B 1985 14 15 A B2 (near Uniejów town) and Pogorzelica village (near Pyzdry town), including the Koło valley (Kotlina Kolska) and the basin Other notable breeding species include Grus grus (20 pairs) and Milvus (Dolina Konińska). Much of the valley used to flood each spring, but migrans (six pairs). Breeding species of global conservation concern after the construction of Jeziorsko reservoir, spring flooding stopped that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (5–6 pairs). completely, and habitats changed greatly. As a result of river

563 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland embankment, the Koło valley is now a mosaic of cultivated fields, Phragmites and reed-mace Typha. The meadows are covered with intensively used meadows, pastures, small stands of woodland and canals and ditches; they are not intensively used, and succession to settlements. The main land-use is grazing. The Konin basin, however, willow Salix scrub is occurring in some parts. has a more natural character. Here the river floods onto wet meadows in April and hollows within meadows are permanently flooded and ■ Birds not cultivated. Low-lying oxbow lakes and their surrounding areas Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria are covered mainly with water-fringe vegetation. There are also 1 Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1995 — 92 A B1i riverside beds of osier Salix, scattered plantations, small areas of carr, 1. 190 in 1993. and sand-dunes covered with pine Pinus forest. Land-use here is mainly non-intensive agriculture, including haymaking in meadows and A total of 154 species have been recorded, including 38 breeding and livestock-grazing on private farms. 65 migrating waterbirds. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (recently extinct Habitats Forest and woodland (native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet here), Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair). A wide variety of raptors, which forest), Scrub (scrub), Grassland (steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland; breed in the surrounding area, forage at the site. mesophile grassland), Wetland (sand-dunes/sand beach; standing fresh water; river/ stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (highly improved ■ Protection status reseeded grassland; arable land; ruderal land) National None International None Land-use Agriculture (90%), Hunting, Water management (10%) ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Disturbance to birds (U), Filling-in of wetlands (U), Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Unsustainable exploitation (U) Falco tinnunculus Kestrel B 1995 25 35 A B2 Coturnix coturnix Quail B 1995 20 50 A B2 Hunting is a threat, as is disturbance of nesting birds by harvesting Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1995 20 30 — B3 activity (reeds and hay). 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 55 70 — A1 2 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1995 — 250 A B2 3 Tringa totanus Redshank B 1995 150 180 A B2 Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1995 100 150 A B2 Œlesin and Wystêp ponds A4i, B1i 038 Admin region kujawsko-pomorskie 1. 1993–1995. 2. 370–500 pairs in 1980s; max. 3,000–4,000 on passage, near B1i threshold. Coordinates 53°08’N 17°42’E 3. 200–260 pairs in 1980s. Altitude 60–80 m Area 3,200 ha Up to 35,000 or more waterbirds roost here, mainly wildfowl Anser/ Anas with lesser numbers of waders (Charadrii). Breeding species of ■ Site description global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya Two fish-pond complexes in the Toruń–Eberswald stream valley. Ślesin nyroca (recently extinct here), Gallinago media (two pairs). A total of fish-pond complex (170 ha) lies c.20 km west of the town of , 153 species have been recorded breeding. and comprises 14 small ponds of a few hectares each and one large pond (130 ha). Występ fish-pond complex (200 ha) is similar. The ■ Protection status ponds are full from April to October, supplied by the Bydgoszcz National Partial International None channel and drainage ditches, and are used for fish-farming (carp 13,428 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Nadwarciański, Cyprinus). Both complexes are surrounded by wet meadows, used for 13,428 ha). 10,000 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area pasture and hay, and areas of mire and wet forest. (Pyzdrski, 16,572 ha). 5,000 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Area (Uniejowski, 18,000 ha). forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (65%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (18%; standing ■ Conservation issues fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation) Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Agricultural intensification/ Land-use Agriculture (70%), Fisheries/aquaculture (20%), Forestry (10%), Hunting expansion (U), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (U), Drainage (U), Dredging/ canalization (U) ■ Birds The main threats are posed by changes in the water-regime of the Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Warta river following the construction of Jeziorsko reservoir upstream, 1 Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1995 178 429 — A4i, B1i by the abandonment of agricultural management of meadows, by the conversion of meadows to arable land following damming and 1. 1988–1995. drainage, and by agricultural intensification locally. The most important place in Poland for Cygnus columbianus during migration, and a moulting site for Cygnus olor. In summer up to 600 Remiz pendulinus and several dozen Panurus biarmicus are present. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: B1i Ostrówek and 037 Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair resident; up to five birds on passage), Smogulec ponds Crex crex (new breeder). Admin region kujawsko-pomorskie, wielkopolskie Coordinates 53°05’N 17°20’E ■ Protection status Altitude 80–100 m Area 1,000 ha National Low International None 42 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Łąki Œlesińskie, 42 ha). ■ Site description ■ Conservation issues Habitats Grassland (30%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (60%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Aquaculture/ (10%; ruderal land) fisheries (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Dredging/canalization (B), Unsustainable Land-use Agriculture (30%), Fisheries/aquaculture (60%), Hunting, Not exploitation (B) utilized (10%) Hunting is a problem. Part of the meadows may be converted into The Ostrówek and Smogulec fish-pond complexes and adjoining arable fields; dry grasslands are slowly reverting to shrubland through wet meadows (Osieckie) in the Noteć river valley, 45–49 km west lack of grazing/mowing. Numbers of swans Cygnus during spring of Bydgoszcz. The 35 ponds comprise c.500 ha of water and are full migration have been reduced due to later filling of the ponds, and (1 m deep) from April to October when fish (carp Cyprinus) are being more efficient drainage of ponds in the autumn means that birds are farmed. Large areas of the ponds are covered with beds of reed only able to stay for a shorter period.

564 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Lower Wis³a river A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 039 Habitats Forest and woodland (45%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Admin region pomorskie, kujawsko-pomorskie forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (15%; steppe/dry calcareous Coordinates 53°23’N 18°25’E grassland; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; Altitude 1–50 m Area 32,000 ha river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (25%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; ruderal land) Land-use Agriculture (30%), Forestry (40%), Hunting, Not utilized (30%) ■ Site description The site comprises a 260-km stretch of the Wisła (Vistula) river flood- plain (of which about 190 km is embanked against floods), between ■ Birds Włocławek town in the south and Przegalina sluice (6 km from the Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Wisła river mouth) in the north. The terrain is highly varied. 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1997 6,000 6,000 — B1i Riverbanks or slopes are dozens of metres high in some places, very flat and low-lying in others. The riverbed itself constitutes about 1. Spring. quarter of the site’s area; the rest consists of meadows, scrub (mainly Over 200 species have been recorded, 140 of them breeding. Species willow Salix), small patches of riverine forest, and numerous oxbow of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya lakes and wetlands. The river passes through some quite large towns nyroca (up to two birds on passage), Haliaeetus albicilla (up to five (e.g. Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Grudziądz, Tczew). non-breeding birds), Crex crex (4–9 breeding pairs).

Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (20%; scrub), ■ Protection status Grassland (30%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (45%; standing fresh National High International None water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial 1,287 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Rzeka Drwęca, 1,287 ha). landscape (5%; other urban/industrial areas) 3,400 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Dolina Land-use Agriculture (20%), Fisheries/aquaculture (25%), Hunting, Tourism/ Drwęcy, 61,641 ha). recreation (5%), Urban/industrial/transport (20%), Not utilized (15%), Unknown (15%) ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Afforestation (B), Agricultural Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria intensification/expansion (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Deforestation (commercial) (B), 1 Bucephala clangula Goldeneye W 1997 5,024 5,900 A A4i, B1i Drainage (A), Dredging/canalization (B), Extraction industry (B), Industrialization/ Mergus merganser Goosander B 1998 60 60 A B1i urbanization (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) 2 Mergus merganser Goosander W 1997 1,356 2,452 A A4i, B1i Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1997 6 45 A A1 Threats to birds include the abandonment of land management, Crex crex Corncrake B 1998 153 153 A A1, B2 disturbance, and hunting and poaching. Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1998 46 46 A B2 1. 1984–1997; 5,054 in 1997 along only 50 km of Wis³a. 2. 1984–1997; 20 breeding pairs in 1994 along 50 km of Wis³a. Gop³o Millennium Park A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 041 A total of 126 bird species have been recorded breeding or probably Admin region kujawsko-pomorskie, wielkopolskie breeding at the site, including the largest number of Crex crex (153 Coordinates 52°36’N 18°25’E calling males in 1998) at any site in the Wisła valley. The area also Altitude 20–40 m Area 12,700 ha supports significant parts of the national breeding populations of Charadrius hiaticula, Charadrius dubius, Sterna hirundo and Sterna albifrons. In 1994 a total of c.37,000 waterbirds were estimated to occur ■ Site description along the river in the late summer post-breeding period, and 46,500 in The park covers Gopło lake and surroundings, as well as the Skulskie winter (mainly ducks). lakes (Skulskie, Skulska Wieś, Czartowo) that are part of the Noteć river system. Gopło lake (25 km long) has flat, unforested shores with ■ Protection status extensive beds of reed Phragmites. There are some islands (25 ha), National Partial International None covered mainly with reed. The surrounding area is covered mainly by About 10,000 ha covered by Landscape Park (Zespół Nadwiślańskich, wet meadows, fields and small forests. 35,400 ha). Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest), Grassland (30%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (5%; standing fresh water; ■ Conservation issues river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (50%; highly improved reseeded Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/ grassland; arable land; forestry plantation; urban parks/gardens; ruderal land) barrage (A), Dredging/canalization (A), Industrialization/urbanization (C), Land-use Agriculture (40%), Fisheries/aquaculture (40%), Hunting (10%), Other (5%), Infrastructure (C) Tourism/recreation (5%) The greatest threat is a potential one: the possible construction of a series of dams along the Wisła river (‘cascadization’). ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1995 17 17 — B2 Marshy valley B1i 040 Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern B 1995 7 10 A B2 2 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 3,000 5,000 — A4i, B1i of the Drwêca river 2 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1995 3,000 6,000 — B1i Admin region kujawsko-pomorskie 3 Grus grus Crane P — 100 1,500 — B1i Coordinates 53°17’N 19°34’E 1. 13 pairs at Gop³o lake. Altitude 71–132 m Area 3,400 ha 2. Also winter visitor. 3. Autumn. ■ Site description During autumn passage a total of 20,000 or more waterbirds stage The site lies in the Drwęca river valley between Brodnica town and regularly at the site, mainly wildfowl, and especially geese Anser. the road between Jajkowo and Głęboczek villages, and includes the Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA lower parts of the Brynica and Samionka river valleys, Sopień lake criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair). A total of 198 species have and Ostrów lake. The valley is 600 m to 3 km in width and includes a been recorded, including 74 waterbirds. canal system and oxbow lakes. The Drwęca river has a natural character and meanders strongly; overflow in early spring causes ■ Protection status extensive flooding. The vegetation is species-rich; besides meadows National High International None there are reedbeds Phragmites, sedge-beds and small stands of alder 402 ha of IBA covered by 7 Nature Reserves (Bachorze; Bąbule; Kąty Alnus woodland. Kickowskie; Potrzymionek; Trzciny Giżewskie; Zatoka Biała Osoba;

565 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Zatoka Sucha; total area 402 ha). 12,684 ha of IBA covered by well as riverine forest and scrub, on the more elevated, drier ground, Landscape Park (Nadgoplański Park Tysiąclecia, 12,684 ha). dry broadleaved forest. The easternmost part of the valley (around Łęczyca and Błonia towns) was drained in 1980, and is now less ■ Conservation issues attractive to waterbirds. Other parts of the valley flood annually. The most interesting area ornithologically is around Dąbie town. Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Agricultural intensification/ expansion (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (A), Other (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Selective Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland logging/cutting (A) (45%; humid grassland), Wetland (50%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation) The drainage of adjoining land has resulted in a lower water-level in Land-use Agriculture (90%), Forestry (5%), Hunting, Not utilized (5%) the lake. Agriculture has resulted in nutrient pollution of the lake, through fertilizer run-off from fields. Reed-harvesting is also a threat (‘Other’). Fisheries, angling and sailing cause disturbance to birds, ■ Birds and hunting is a problem. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Crex crex Corncrake B 1993 20 — B A1 The most attractive area in central Poland for staging geese and ducks Rakutowskie swamps A4iii, B1i 042 during spring migration. Breeding species of global conservation concern Admin region kujawsko-pomorskie that do not meet IBA criteria: Acrocephalus paludicola (2–3 pairs). Coordinates 52°31’N 19°14’E Altitude 30–30 m Area 800 ha ■ Protection status National Partial International None ■ Site description 2,500 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Dolina Bzury, The site covers Rakutowskie lake (c.300 ha) and the surrounding, 13,500 ha). periodically flooded sedge meadows, as well as adjoining wet riverine forest and carr. The eastern part of the site includes a wet area of the ■ Conservation issues Kłótnia river with overgrown peat-workings. Rakutowskie lake is Threats Disturbance to birds (U), Drainage (U), Unsustainable exploitation (U) rather shallow (average 2.5 m) with a flat shore fringed by a broad belt (100–150 m) of marginal vegetation. Due to (relatively small) Threats include hunting and the collection of eggs of Anser anser. water-level fluctuations, the lake area can vary by up to 60–70 ha. Floating and submerged vegetation is rich and a large part of the lake bottom is covered by stonewort Chara. Jeziorsko reservoir A4i, B1i 044 Habitats Forest and woodland (32%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (18%; humid Admin region ³ódzkie, wielkopolskie grassland), Wetland (36%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Coordinates 51°47’N 18°41’E Artificial landscape (14%; arable land) Altitude 90–120 m Area 4,300 ha Land-use Agriculture (25%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Forestry (35%), Nature conservation/research (30%) ■ Site description A storage reservoir (16 km by 3.5 km) in the lowland valley of the ■ Birds unregulated Warta river, between Skęczniew and Warta towns. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Meadows and pastures adjoin the reservoir near Proboszczowice and 1 Anser anser Greylag Goose P — 250 600 — B1i Dzierzążna villages. Its shoreline is formed by natural valley slopes, side dams (which block the mouths of the Teleszyna and Pichna rivers), 1. Spring max. 600, autumn max. 250. and also backwater dams, which limit the flooding area when the water- More than 20,000 waterbirds use the area in winter, and notable level is at its highest (maximum area is 4,200 ha). The reservoir bottom numbers (peak daily counts exceeding 10,000 birds) stage during was not modified before flooding and, when the water-level is low autumn migration, mainly Anser, Anas, Vanellus vanellus, Larus and (minimum area 1,700 ha), a varied terrain with scattered small hollows waders Charadrii. Breeding species of global conservation concern is exposed. The southern part of the reservoir, which floods only during that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair), Crex times of high water, is occupied by a mosaic of meadows and willow crex (1–2 calling males), Acrocephalus paludicola (one singing male). Salix scrub with groups of partly dead trees. Highest water-levels are reached in April and May, followed by a slow fall. ■ Protection status Habitats Grassland (5%; mesophile grassland), Wetland (95%; standing fresh water; National Partial International None raised bog; water-fringe vegetation) 414 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Rakutowskie, 414 ha). Land-use Agriculture (20%), Water management (80%) 175 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Olszyny Rakutowskie, 175 ha). ■ Birds ■ Conservation issues Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Threats Groundwater abstraction (A) Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1993 — 7,500 — A4i, B1i The sedge meadows are included in Jezioro Rakutowskie Nature A notable site for breeding and migrating waterbirds; breeding Reserve, and part of the forest/carr is included in Olszyny Rakutowskie numbers vary from year to year, depending on the water-level. Nature Reserve. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (one pair, irregularly).

■ Protection status Ner river valley A1 043 National None International None Admin region ³ódzkie, wielkopolskie Coordinates 52°04’N 19°04’E ■ Conservation issues Altitude 90–100 m Area 4,800 ha Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (U), Recreation/tourism (U) ■ Site description The Ner valley is a marshy stretch of the Warszawa– valley Birds are disturbed by tourism/recreation. Lowering of the water-level between the towns of Łęczyca and Dąbie, and adjoins the river too early in the season destroys many nests. The southern part of valley. Wet meadows dominate the area, but on low-lying land and reservoir is a ‘silence zone’, and is planned as a bird reserve (not yet adjacent to water there are reedbeds Phragmites in some places, as designated).

566 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

material for crafts), and intensive cattle-grazing on meadows and Kampinos forest A1, B2, B3 045 pastures. The river is used by boat traffic. Admin region mazowieckie Coordinates 52°20’N 20°35’E Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland; Altitude 70–110 m Area 35,700 ha mesophile grassland), Wetland (60%; sand-dunes/sand beach; standing fresh water; river/stream), Rocky areas (5%; inland cliff), Artificial landscape (5%; arable land; ruderal land) Land-use Agriculture (15%), Fisheries/aquaculture (30%), Hunting, Nature conservation/ ■ Site description research (5%), Other (20%), Tourism/recreation (30%), Urban/industrial/transport A highly fragmented forest in the Wisła valley, between the Bzura and Wisła (Vistula) rivers. Coniferous and mixed forests cover banks of sand- dunes along the river terrace, below which lies the marshy valley floor, ■ Birds with watercourses flowing to the Bzura river. Marshy areas are covered Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria with reedbeds Phragmites, sedge-beds, meadows, and riverine forest and Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1993 5 15 — A1 scrub. Marshy areas higher up the terrace are covered by broadleaved 1 Larus canus Common Gull R 1993 2,800 2,950 A B2 deciduous forest. Former agricultural land, now abandoned (including Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1993 680 700 A A4i, B1i, B2 whole villages), is situated mainly in the centre of the marshy zone, and Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1993 43 52 — B2 is reverting to forest, aided by active afforestion. 1. 3,400 in winter. Habitats Forest and woodland (71%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very An important site for staging migrants such as waders and passerines, wet forest), Scrub (12%; scrub), Artificial landscape (17%; arable land; other urban/ and for wintering waterbirds, of which more than 20,000 occur regularly, industrial areas; ruderal land) mainly ducks. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do Land-use Agriculture (10%), Forestry (63%), Nature conservation/research (15%), Not not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (two pairs), Crex crex (five pairs). utilized (12%) ■ Protection status ■ Birds National High International None 5,215 ha of IBA covered by 14 Nature Reserves (Kępa Antonińska; Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Kępa Rakowska; Kępa Wykowska; Kępy Kazuńskie; Łachy Brzeskie; Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 255 300 A A1, B2 Locustella naevia Grasshopper Warbler B 1993 80 100 — B3 Ławice Kiełpińskie; Ławice Troszyńskie; Ruska Kępa; Wikliny Wiślane; Wyspy Białobrzeskie; Wyspy Świderskie; Wyspy The site is very important for breeding Crex crex. A total of 133 species Zakrzewskie; Wyspy Zawadowskie; Zakole Zakroczymskie; combined have been confirmed breeding. In recent years (1980–1996) 5–7 species area of 5,215 ha). 19,000 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape stopped breeding compared with the 1950–1979 period. Over the last Areas (names not available, total area 220,000 ha). quarter-century there have been 13 breeding species of raptor and seven non-breeding visitors or winterers. Three raptors (Falco ■ Conservation issues peregrinus, Milvus migrans and Circus cyaneus) stopped breeding in Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Agricultural intensification/ the 1970s, one (Circaetus gallicus) in the 1980s, and Aquila pomarina expansion (B), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (A), Disturbance to birds (U), is decreasing. Non-raptors which have stopped breeding in recent years Dredging/canalization (A), Extraction industry (U), Natural events (U), Recreation/ at the site include Tetrao tetrix, Burhinus oedicnemus, Coracias garrulus tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (U) and Lanius minor. Threats are posed by intensive cattle-grazing on the islands, sand- ■ Protection status mining of the riverbed, flooding (natural), felling of riverside trees, National High International None unsustainable duck hunting, fish poaching, and disturbance to nesting 35,700 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Kampinoski, 35,700 ha). birds by willow collectors. The greatest threats are potential: there 4,722 ha of IBA covered by 24 Nature Reserves (Biela; Cyganka; are plans for dredging and canalization of the river, to create a narrow Czapliniec Dełby; Czarna Woda im. prof. Aleksandra Kaliszki; channel without islands, oxbow lakes or meanders, as well as plans Czerwińskie Góry I & II; Granica; Kalisko; Karpaty; Krzywa Góra; for the building of water-storage reservoirs at Płock, Wyszogród, and Łuże; Nart im. inż. Stanisława Richtera; Niepust; Pożary; Przyćmień; near Warszawa. Roztoka; Rybitew; Sieraków im. prof. Romana Kobendzy; Tuszko; Wilków; Zaborów Leśny; Zamczysko; Żurawiowe; together totalling 4,722 ha). Zegrzyñski reservoir A4iii, B1i 047 Admin region mazowieckie ■ Conservation issues Coordinates 52°31’N 21°03’E Threats Afforestation (B), Groundwater abstraction (A), Intensified forest management (B), Altitude 100–100 m Area 12,000 ha Selective logging/cutting (B) The purchase of arable land by the National Park and the subsequent ■ Site description abandonment of agricultural management (reversion to forest) has A dammed storage reservoir on the Narew river, with a maximum area reduced the abundance of wildlife of open, non-forest habitats. The of 3,300 ha. To the north the site extends to Koziegłowy village, and water-level fell by c.2 m over the past few decades as a result of drainage includes the mouth of the Bug river. The northern and western shores and lower-than-average precipitation. Since 1997 the average water- are high and steep, but along the southern and eastern sides the reservoir level has risen somewhat as a result of very high rainfall in summer. is separated by river embankments from extensive cultivated meadows, which cover the former flood terrace. Important bird habitats here include oxbow lakes, islands and willow Salix bushes. The reservoir is used for recreation, and there are summer houses. Middle Wis³a river valley A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 046 Admin region lubelskie, mazowieckie Habitats Grassland (3%; mesophile grassland), Wetland (95%; standing fresh water; Coordinates 52°03’N 20°37’E river/stream; water-fringe vegetation) Altitude 50–80 m Area 19,000 ha Land-use Tourism/recreation (20%), Water management (80%)

■ Site description ■ Birds A large unregulated stretch of the Wisła (Vistula) river, from Gołąb Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria village to Płock town (226 km long), with numerous sand islands. Some 1 Bucephala clangula Goldeneye W 1998 3,000 4,000 — B1i islands are bare, others have a herb layer, and high islands have scrub of willow Salix and poplar Populus. There are sand-dunes. The 1. 1996–1998. riverbanks and flood terrace are used mainly for intensive collection An important site for migrating waterbirds in autumn (c.20,000 in total, of willow Salix stems (for planting on riverbanks, dunes, etc., and as mainly ducks, swans, Fulica atra and gulls Larus) and also for wintering

567 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland wildfowl (total 6,800). Breeding species of global conservation concern ■ Birds that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (12 pairs). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 2 23 — A1 ■ Protection status 2 Coracias garrulus Roller B 1995 8 12 — B2 National High International None 2 1 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Dzierżenińska Kępa, 1 ha). 1. 23 calling birds in 100 km in 1997. 2. 70% decline since 1985–1990. 12,000 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Narwiański, 27,111 ha). A total of 193 species have been recorded. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Gallinago media. ■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status Threats Infrastructure (U), Recreation/tourism (U) National Low International None Recreation/tourism activity is too intense in summer (all kinds of 15 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Bartnia [Bird Reserve], water-sports), so birds tend to use this area after the tourist season, 15 ha). 6 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Popławy, 6 ha). 7 ha on migration and in winter. The waterworks for Warszawa lie 3 km of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Wielgolas, 7 ha). beyond Dębe Dam (downstream from the IBA), therefore the water is rather clean. ■ Conservation issues Threats Deforestation (commercial) (U) Current forest management poses a threat to birds. Omulew river valley A1, B2 048 Admin region mazowieckie Coordinates 53°12’N 21°20’E Altitude 100–125 m Area 6,000 ha Liwiec river valley A1, B2 050 Admin region mazowieckie Coordinates 52°20’N 21°59’E ■ Site description Altitude 180–180 m Area 11,800 ha Large areas of fen are located in the middle stretch of this river valley and in flooded parts of the upper river valley. In the lower stretches there is natural old-growth riverine forest, and sandy grasslands. ■ Site description A 140 km long stretch of the Liwiec river valley. Some stretches have Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (55%; steppe/dry calcareous a natural character, along others the river is regulated. In some places grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (30%; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition the riverbanks are flat, covered by meadows and wet pastures, in other mire/spring), Artificial landscape (5%; highly improved reseeded grassland; ruderal land) places they are high. There are fens and transitional mires, used as Land-use Agriculture, Hunting, Not utilized meadows and pastures, as well as riverine forests. On the riverbanks and some higher areas there are also pine Pinus woods. There are two ■ Birds small pond complexes (48 ha, 70 ha). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Habitats Forest and woodland (8%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 80 100 — A1, B2 (10%; scrub), Grassland (50%; humid grassland), Wetland (30%; standing fresh Coracias garrulus Roller B 1992 4 4 — B2 water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial 1. 1992–1996 (extrapolation from smaller plots). landscape (3%) Land-use Agriculture (60%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (35%), Hunting ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1993 100 — — A1, B2 Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Drainage (U), Dredging/ 1. Very good site but not counted in recent years. canalization (U), Recreation/tourism (U) A total of 120 species had been recorded breeding by 1980. Breeding Since 1991 the upper river has been regulated, which has influenced species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: the area of flooding. Affected areas have included some areas of marsh, Gallinago media (one pair). meadow, willow Salix scrub and riverside forest. ■ Protection status National Partial International None 1,500 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Nadbużański, 53,680 ha). Bia³a forest A1, B2 049 3,600 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Siedlecko– Admin region mazowieckie Węgrowski, 35,840 ha). Coordinates 52°40’N 21°45’E Altitude 100–150 m Area 120,000 ha ■ Conservation issues Threats Drainage (A) ■ Site description One of the largest remaining complexes of natural forest in the In 1992 and 1993 the valley was drained, which caused a significant Mazowsze region, situated between the Bug and the Narew rivers, and reduction in bird numbers. A Landscape Park (‘Dolina Liwca’) is drained by the Brok, Struga, Truchełka, Turka and Wymakacz rivers. planned, as are some Nature Reserves. Stands are 40–80 years old, in more or less dense tracts, interspersed with meadows, ponds and willow Salix scrub. Seventy percent of the forest is a monoculture of pine Pinus or is mixed forest of oak Quercus Lower Bug river valley A1, B2 051 and Pinus, 10% is broadleaved dominated by hornbeam Carpinus, and Admin region mazowieckie, lubelskie, podlaskie the rest is broadleaved riverine forest. Two fish-pond complexes and a Coordinates 52°19’N 22°21’E dozen or so villages are located in the middle of the site. Altitude 85–116 m Area 55,000 ha Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (10%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), ■ Site description Artificial landscape (10%; arable land; ruderal land) The site contains the channel and valley of the Bug river between the Land-use Agriculture (25%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (70%), Hunting river tributary and the Zegrzyński reservoir (260 km), with

568 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland adjacent extensive dry pastures. The whole area floods in spring. There ■ Protection status are some swamps and mires at the mouths of tributaries entering the National High International None Bug. The river channel is generally natural, not too modified by man, 1,046 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Stawy Przemkowskie so there are numerous bare sand islands and others overgrown with [Bird Reserve], 1,046 ha). 1,046 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park ruderal herbs or willow Salix scrub. Elsewhere there are also local (Przemkowski, 15,466 ha). remnants of willow or poplar Populus scrub. On the lowest river terrace there are numerous oxbow lakes, differing in size, depth and extent of ■ Conservation issues aquatic vegetation (Potamogeton, Lemna). Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (U) Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), High production of organic debris in the ponds leads to a gradual Grassland (60%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (30%; standing fresh shallowing, sometimes to the extent that the islets used by nesting water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) birds become accessible to mammalian predators. Another Land-use Agriculture, Hunting problem is that the fish-ponds are rented nowadays, and thus the pressure to reduce bird predation on the fishery has increased. If the ■ Birds ponds are privatized, the presence of waterbirds will be tolerated Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria even less. Crex crex Corncrake B 1993 100 — — A1, B2 1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1993 50 60 — A1 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1993 490 560 — B2 Tringa totanus Redshank B 1993 128 205 — B2 Odra riverine forests A1, B2, B3 053 Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1993 90 100 — B2 Admin region dolnoœl¹skie Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1993 350 — — B2 Coordinates 51°25’N 16°27’E Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1993 55 65 — B2 Altitude 72–131 m Area 18,000 ha Coracias garrulus Roller B 1993 5 8 — B2 1. Displaying males at 13 sites. ■ Site description The site supports more breeding Charadrius hiaticula than any other The site covers a 105-km-long stretch of the Odra valley from Głoska inland site in Europe. village (near Brzeg Dolny town) to Głogów town, as well as a 7 km long stretch from the mouth of the Barycz river to the Odra river. The ■ Protection status valley is up to 4 km wide, and is bordered by flood embankments. National Partial International None There are broadleaved forests (totalling 5,000 ha) and oxbow lakes. 133 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Łęg Dębowy, 133 ha). 2 ha Old-growth forest is common, with trees often over 100 years in age. of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Skarpa Mołożewska, 2 ha). 64 ha The oxbow lakes are at different stages of silting up. of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Wydma Mołożewska, 64 ha). Habitats Forest and woodland (30%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native 33,000 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Nadbużański, 53,680 ha). coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (6%; scrub), 15,000 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Podlaski Przełom Bugu, Grassland (39%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (15%; standing 30,904 ha). 17,500 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), (Nadbużański, 55,300 ha). Artificial landscape (10%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; forestry plantation) ■ Conservation issues Land-use Agriculture (60%), Forestry (35%), Hunting, Water management (6%) Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (A), Dredging/canalization (U), Infrastructure (U), Recreation/ ■ Birds tourism (U) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Threats include dam-building, conversion of meadows to arable land, Milvus migrans Black Kite B 1996 14 16 A B2 building of infrastructure for recreation, and reduced numbers of cattle Milvus milvus Red Kite B 1996 10 12 A B3 with consequent reductions in extent of pasture. 1 Haliaeetus albicilla W— 20——A1 White-tailed Eagle Picus canus Grey-headed Woodpecker R 1996 20 24 A B2 Dendrocopos medius R 1996 300 400 A B3 Przemków ponds A4iii, B2 052 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Admin region dolnoœl¹skie Locustella naevia B 1996 100 — C B3 Coordinates 51°34’N 15°49’E Grasshopper Warbler Altitude 150–150 m Area 1,046 ha Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1996 160 240 B B3 Lanius excubitor Great Grey Shrike R 1996 25 25 B B2 ■ Site description 1. Three pairs breed. Two pond complexes (769 ha and 179 ha) on the Szprotawa river Over 200 species have been recorded, c.150 as breeding species, with catchment (a tributary of the Bóbr river), with scattered forest of ash more than 60 breeding in riverine forest. Breeding species of global Fraxinus and alder Alnus (75 ha). Shoreline reedbeds Phragmites cover conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (eight 6% of the ponds’ area. Dams are generally treeless. Extensive meadows, pairs). Other notable breeders are Pernis apivorus (12–14 pairs) and sedge-beds and willow Salix bushes adjoin this area. Grus grus (30 pairs).

Habitats Forest and woodland (3%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (3%; scrub), ■ Protection status Grassland (45%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (45%; standing fresh National Low International None water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (3%) 5 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Odrzysko, 5 ha). 1,270 ha of Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (100%) IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Dolina Odry, 1,270 ha). 21 ha of IBA covered by Ecological Area (Ścinawskie Bagna, 21 ha). ■ Birds ■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Conservation issues 1 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1990 4 6 — B2 Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Construction/impact of dyke/ 1. No more recent breeding records. dam/barrage (B), Groundwater abstraction (B), Intensified forest management (B), Selective logging/cutting (U) More than 20,000 waterbirds occur regularly on autumn passage, mainly wildfowl and Fulica atra. Breeding species of global Forests are at risk of clear-cutting to improve flood control. Many of conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla the old-growth trees are Nature Monuments. Three Landscape Parks (one pair), Crex crex (one pair). and eight Nature Reserves are planned.

569 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

season, pollution of the water, air and soil (‘Other’), and the drainage Barycz river valley A1, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 054 of alder woodland. The site is an amalgamation of six sites (the former Admin region dolnoœl¹skie, wielkopolskie PL047–PL052) identified in the previous pan-European IBA inventory Coordinates 51°32’N 17°25’E (Grimmett and Jones 1989). Altitude 95–140 m Area 25,700 ha

■ Site description S³up reservoir A4i, B1i 055 A stretch of the Barycz river valley between Żmigród in the west and Admin region dolnoœl¹skie the vicinity of Przygodzice in the east. Habitats include five large and Coordinates 51°05’N 16°08’E five small complexes of fishponds, totalling 130 ponds in all, as well Altitude 173–175 m Area 500 ha as surrounding meadows, arable fields, marshy areas and forests. Extensive meadows at Odolanów are mainly wet and have a dense drainage system which is cleared every few years with limited ■ Site description effectiveness. Mechanized hay-cutting is carried out in June and July. A storage reservoir on the Nysa Szalona river, 5 km north-west of the Some fish-eating birds are controlled (mainly Ardea cinerea and town of Jawor, situated in an area of farmland. It consists of two Phalacrocorax carbo). water-bodies joined by a narrow channel, the Gardziel. The larger water-body, Zbiornik Dolny, is adjacent to a dam near the village of Habitats Forest and woodland (23%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Słup and has small patches of willow Salix scrub along its eastern and forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (23%; steppe/dry calcareous southern banks. The smaller one, Zbiornik Górny, is situated close to grassland; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (26%; standing fresh water; a backwater, near Stary Jawor, and has reedbeds Phragmites, islands river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial and patches of Salix scrub. The whole area floods in spring, creating landscape (28%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; forestry plantation; large expanses of shallow water and silt. urban parks/gardens; other urban/industrial areas; ruderal land) Land-use Agriculture (47%), Fisheries/aquaculture (25%), Forestry (23%), Hunting, Habitats Grassland (10%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (90%; Urban/industrial/transport (5%) standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation) Land-use Agriculture (10%), Hunting, Water management (90%) ■ Birds ■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Birds 1 Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1994 59 59 A B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern B 1994 2 12 C B2 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 6,270 6,270 A A4i, B1i Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1994 10 — B B2 2 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1994 8,100 16,000 B B1i Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA 3 Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1994 497 497 A B1i criteria: Crex crex (two pairs). Anas strepera Gadwall B 1994 150 250 B B2 4 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1994 40 130 B A1, B2 ■ Protection status Milvus migrans Black Kite B 1993 10 15 B B2 National High International None 5 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1995 6 6 B A1 500 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Chełmy, 28,461 ha). Falco tinnunculus Kestrel B 1996 17 26 A B2 6 Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1994 28 28 B B3 ■ Grus grus Crane B 1994 40 47 B B2 Conservation issues Grus grus Crane P — 1,500 — — B1i Threats Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (B) Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1994 130 130 A B2 Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1994 40 50 B B2 Changes in water-level lower the breeding success of some species. 7 Riparia riparia Sand Martin B 1992 1,345 1,345 A B2 Anglers disturb nesting birds, and unsustainable hunting occurs. The Locustella luscinioides Savi’s Warbler B 1994 60 120 B B3 site lies in the buffer zone of Chełmy Landscape Park. 1. Eight-year mean (44–78). 2. Up to 20,000 with other goose species. 3. Seven-year mean (423–561). 4. Three-year mean (40–184); decreasing; 20–30% of national population. A4i, B1i 5. Five-year mean. Mietków reservoir 056 6. Three-year mean (27–29). Admin region dolnoœl¹skie 7. Five-year mean (722–1,780). Coordinates 50°58’N 16°37’E Altitude 160–165 m Area 920 ha An important area for breeding, moulting and migrating waterbirds. A total of 276 bird species have been recorded (including 126 waterbirds), of which 166 have bred (including 56 waterbirds). ■ Site description A large storage reservoir situated in a hilly agricultural landscape, ■ Protection status used to control water-flow for navigation on the Odra river. It is National High International Partial surrounded by arable land and two small broadleaved forests. Gravel 5,324 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Stawy Milickie, 5,324 ha). is extracted by mechanical diggers. The area is also used for hunting 49 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Wydymacz, 49 ha). and angling. 25,700 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Dolina Baryczy, Habitats Wetland (100%; standing fresh water) 87,040 ha). 1,700 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area Land-use Hunting, Not utilized (10%), Tourism/recreation (10%), Water management (80%) (Wzgórza Ostrzeszowskie i Kotlina Odolanowska, 68,000 ha). 5 ha of IBA covered by Nature Monument (Las Pardoliński, 5 ha). 5,324 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Stawy Milickie, 5,324 ha). ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 — 64,500 A A4i, B1i Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Afforestation (C), Agricultural The largest roosting place for migrating and wintering Anser fabalis intensification/expansion (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (B), in Poland. Drainage (B), Dredging/canalization (B), Extraction industry (C), Groundwater abstraction (B), Infrastructure (C), Intensified forest management (B), Other (B), ■ Protection status Recreation/tourism (C), Selective logging/cutting (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) National None International None Mechanical deepening of the fish-ponds by bulldozers destroys aquatic vegetation and deepens pond margins. Other problems are the ■ Conservation issues disturbance of birds during the breeding season by fish-farming activity Threats Extraction industry (B), Filling-in of wetlands (B), Recreation/tourism (B) and osier harvesting, tree-felling on the pond dams during the breeding

570 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Birds are disturbed by recreation/tourism (including anglers), by gravel species-richness of birds have grown as the vegetation has developed. excavators working on the reservoir, and by hunting. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (1–2 pairs).

■ Protection status Oak-hornbeam forests B2, B3 057 National None International None in the Odra valley Admin region dolnoœl¹skie, opolskie ■ Conservation issues Coordinates 50°52’N 17°29’E Altitude 130–146 m Area 31,000 ha Threats Natural events (A) Rapid filling of the reservoir during floods reduces or eliminates ■ Site description suitable foraging/resting habitat for staging waders on migration. The site comprises the 70 km stretch of the Odra valley between Narok town (by town) and Wrocław city. The valley is forested mainly with hornbeam Carpinus, but there is also some riverine forest. Much A4i, A4iii, B1i of the site is meadows, pastures and fields. There are also numerous Otmuchów reservoir 059 Admin region opolskie streams, oxbow lakes, areas of shallow water and bare silt remaining Coordinates 50°28’N 17°07’E from former floods, and fish-ponds. Altitude 210–210 m Area 2,300 ha Habitats Forest and woodland (40%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (30%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), ■ Site description Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), A large storage reservoir on the Nysa Kłodzka river, situated amongst Artificial landscape (15%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; hills in an agricultural landscape, not far from Nysa reservoir. ruderal land) Broadleaved forest adjoins the embanked eastern side. The western Land-use Agriculture (50%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Forestry (40%), Hunting and southern shores have a more natural character, being covered with a wide belt of willow Salix bushes. The northern part is used for ■ Birds recreation. The reservoir controls water flow for navigation on the Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Odra river, and there are considerable fluctuations in water-level. Although some parts of the shore are shingle, the bottom of the Milvus migrans Black Kite B 1993 10 12 — B2 Picus canus Grey-headed Woodpecker B 1993 — 25 — B2 reservoir is generally muddy and sandy. Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1993 70 100 — B3 Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; broadleaved deciduous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (95%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA Land-use Hunting, Tourism/recreation (20%), Water management (80%) criteria: Aythya nyroca (up to two pairs), Haliaeetus albicilla (two pairs), Crex crex (4–5 pairs). ■ Birds ■ Protection status Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria National Low International None Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1993 — 6,000 A A4i, B1i 2 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Grodzisko Ryczyńskie, 2 ha). 5 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Kanigóra, 5 ha). 7 ha of IBA More than 20,000 migrating and wintering waterbirds occur regularly, covered by Nature Reserve (Łacha Jelcz, 7 ha). 9 ha of IBA covered mainly geese Anser, ducks Anas, and Vanellus vanellus and other by Nature Reserve (, 9 ha). waders.

■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status National None International None Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Deforestation (commercial) (U) The area is intensively drained and exploited. ■ Conservation issues Threats Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (U), Natural events (A) Rapid filling of the reservoir (during river floods) reduces or eliminates Turawa reservoir A4iii 058 suitable foraging/resting habitat for staging waders on migration. Admin region opolskie Coordinates 50°44’N 18°07’E Altitude 180–180 m Area 2,200 ha Nysa reservoir A4i, A4iii, B1i 060 Admin region opolskie ■ Site description Coordinates 50°27’N 17°15’E This storage reservoir on the Mała Panew river is used for facilitating Altitude 200–200 m Area 3,000 ha navigation on the Odra river. The eastern part of this long reservoir, between the Lubawka river mouth and Szczedrzyk village, is important for birds. The water-body is surrounded mainly by forest. ■ Site description The western and part of the southern shores are embanked, the A large storage reservoir on the Nysa Kłodzka river, in a hilly northern and eastern shores are covered with water-fringe vegetation, agricultural landscape, near Otmuchów reservoir. At the western end mainly reed-grass Glyceria and willow Salix bushes. There are there are artificial islands created as a result of gravel exploitation. considerable fluctuations in water-level. At low water a large area of Southern and western shores are partly overgrown with willow Salix sandy and muddy bottom is exposed at the eastern end. The reservoir scrub with sparse water-fringe vegetation. Two river mouths (the is only periodically full. Widna and the Biała Głuchowska) are important for birds. Land- uses include gravel exploitation. Habitats Wetland (100%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) Land-use Tourism/recreation (20%), Water management (80%) Habitats Wetland (100%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) Land-use Tourism/recreation (10%), Water management (90%) ■ Birds More than 20,000 ducks and waders occur here on migration or in ■ Birds winter, the main species being Anas platyrhynchos, A. crecca, Gallinago Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria gallinago, Calidris alpina, C. ferruginea, C. minuta, Tringa nebularia, Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1993 — 6,000 A A4i, B1i T. glareola, and Actitis hypoleucos. Since 1976 the abundance and

571 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

Up to 60,000 ducks, geese, gulls and waders occur on migration and Middle Nida flood-plain A1 062 in winter. Admin region œwiêtokrzyskie Coordinates 50°34’N 20°30’E ■ Protection status Altitude 190–200 m Area 2,000 ha National None International None

■ Conservation issues ■ Site description The site comprises the stretch of the Nida river valley between the Threats Extraction industry (B), Natural events (A) villages of Mostowice and Skowronno Dolne, as well as a wedge of a Rapid filling of the reservoir (during river floods) reduces or eliminates few square kilometres’ area between Umianowice and Skowronno. suitable foraging/resting habitat for staging waders on migration. The valley widens gradually up to 6 km width, to the gorge near the village of Sobowice. The whole of the site is covered by a system of small watercourses, and there are four low hills. There are many oxbow lakes, mires and seasonally flooded areas with aquatic Upper Wis³a river valley A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 061 vegetation (e.g. Potamogeton) and reed Phragmites. Amongst the Admin region œl¹skie, ma³opolskie meadows there are areas of wet alder Alnus forest and clumps of willow Coordinates 49°57’N 19°11’E Salix, while the riversides are lined with trees/scrub of Salix and poplar Altitude 219–397 m Area 130,000 ha Populus.

Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), ■ Site description Grassland (60%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), This site comprises the Goczałkowice drinking-water reservoir Wetland (30%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition (3,200 ha) and many pond complexes and forest fragments in the valley mire/spring), Artificial landscape (5%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) of the upper Wisła (Vistula) river, from to Spytkowice Land-use Agriculture (70%), Hunting, Not utilized (30%) towns. Valley width is c.12 km. The western and south-western shores of the reservoir are embanked, with the dam forming the eastern shore, but northern and southern parts have a more natural character. ■ Birds Large areas of shore are covered by reed-grass Glyceria, and in some Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria places by scrub; wet meadows cover the western part. Water-levels 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 32 48 A A1 can vary by up to 4 m. The reservoir supports a fishery. The more 1. Individuals. important pond complexes are Goczałkowice Zdrój (300 ha), Mnich (80 ha), Landek (150 ha), Ligota (170 ha), Pod Borem (150 ha), A total of 125 species have been recorded breeding, including Dębowiec (400 ha), Przyręb (396 ha) and Spytkowice (350 ha). 47 waterbirds. Mixed forest (80 ha) adjoins the Przeręb ponds, and some ponds are partly covered with reed Phragmites. The whole area is used for ■ Protection status hunting. National High International None 2,000 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Nadnidziański, Habitats Forest and woodland (8%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous 22,850 ha). 300 ha of IBA covered by Ecological Area (Umianowice, forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (8%; humid grassland; 300 ha). mesophile grassland), Wetland (9%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (75%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; ■ Conservation issues other urban/industrial areas; ruderal land) Land-use Agriculture (74%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (8%), Hunting, Urban/ Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Agricultural intensification/ industrial/transport (8%), Water management (5%) expansion (C), Drainage (A), Dredging/canalization (A) The main threats are drainage and dredging/canalization. As a result ■ Birds of this and also of agricultural abandonment, open habitats such as Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria the meadows of wet grassland are reverting to scrub and woodland, 1 Podiceps nigricollis B 1996 936 936 A A4i, B1i which is reducing the value of the site for some key bird species. Black-necked Grebe Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1996 55 55 A B2 Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern B 1996 33 — B B2 Anas strepera Gadwall B 1995 50 100 C B2 Ma³opolska Wis³a river gap B2 063 Tringa totanus Redshank B 1996 82 82 A B2 Admin region mazowieckie, lubelskie, Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern B 1996 10 299 A B1i œwiêtokrzyskie Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1996 172 198 A B2 Coordinates 51°13’N 21°50’E 1. 1994–1996. Altitude 120–120 m Area 1,300 ha Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (one pair), Crex crex (10–20 pairs). ■ Site description An unmodified part of the Wisła (Vistula) riverbed, 36 km long, with ■ Protection status meanders, high banks, numerous islands and sandbars, from Józefów National Low International None town to Kazimierz Dolny town. The islands vary in character, from 28 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Rotuz, 28 ha). 16 ha of IBA low, bare sandy islets to larger, higher islands, covered with willow covered by Nature Reserve (Żaki, 16 ha). Salix scrub, forest of Salix and poplar Populus, hay meadows and pasture. The river is extensively used by boat traffic. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (3%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (3%; scrub), Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Grassland (5%; humid grassland), Wetland (80%; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (C), Drainage (B), Dredging/ Artificial landscape (5%; highly improved reseeded grassland) canalization (A), Extraction industry (B), Industrialization/urbanization (B), Land-use Agriculture (80%), Hunting, Tourism/recreation (20%) Recreation/tourism (A) Water-fringe vegetation is destroyed when ponds are renovated, and ■ Birds changes in the water-level of the main reservoir cause problems for Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria nesting birds. Abandonment of fish-farming at the ponds is a potential Larus canus Common Gull B 1993 40 — — B2 threat. The site is an amalgamation of two sites (the former PL060– PL061) identified in the previous pan-European IBA inventory Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA (Grimmett and Jones 1989). criteria: Crex crex (10 pairs).

572 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

■ Protection status Piwonia-Bobrówka, Konotopa. Forest is mainly pine Pinus (stands National Partial International None up to 160 years old in some places) and mixed oak Quercus/pine, with 62 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Krowia Wyspa, 62 ha). some small stands dominated by other broadleaved species. In places 400 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Kazimierski, 13,670 ha). there are transitional mires covered by sedge-beds (Scheuchzeria/ Carex), and there are meadows along the Ochoża. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (93%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very Threats Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (U), Dredging/canalization (U), wet forest), Grassland (5%; mesophile grassland), Wetland (2%; standing fresh water; Industrialization/urbanization (U) fen/transition mire/spring) Land-use Agriculture (5%), Forestry (90%), Hunting, Nature conservation/research (5%) There is pollution from industrial development. Further canalization of the river is planned. ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Tyœmienica river valley A1, B2, B3 064 Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 30 — C A1 Admin region lubelskie Bubo bubo Eagle Owl B 1995 5 6 A B2 Coordinates 51°36’N 22°49’E Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA Altitude 132–165 m Area 14,500 ha criteria: Aythya nyroca (2–3 pairs), Haliaeetus albicilla (two pairs).

■ Site description ■ Protection status The site contains the Tyśmienica river valley (right-bank tributary of National Low International None the river) and is covered by wet meadows with some remnant 82 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jezioro Obradowskie sedge-beds and scrub of willow Salix and alder Alnus that are used [Peatbog Reserve], 82 ha). 35 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve for agriculture. There are eleven small pond complexes, a few hundred (Królowa Droga, 35 ha). 157 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve peat pits, oxbow lakes, and the large Siemień pond complex (790 ha). (Lasy Parczewskie, 157 ha). In that complex 20% of large ponds and 40–50% of small ones are overgrown with reed Phragmites and reed-mace Typha. The site is ■ Conservation issues surrounded by agricultural land. Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Agricultural intensification/ Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very expansion (C), Drainage (A), Selective logging/cutting (C) wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (70%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), The greatest threats are drainage, selective logging of the most mature Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), stands in the forest, and the abandonment of agricultural management Artificial landscape (5%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) of meadows (which leads to overgrowth with scrub). Land-use Agriculture (85%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Forestry (5%), Hunting

■ Birds Bubnów marshes A1, B2 066 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region lubelskie Botaurus stellaris Bittern B 1995 25 28 A B2 Coordinates 51°22’N 23°17’E Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern B 1995 12 25 B B2 Altitude 175–176 m Area 2,104 ha 1 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1993 3 8 A B2 2 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle P 1996 — 18 — A1 Circus pygargus Montagu’s Harrier B 1995 20 25 A B3 ■ Site description Falco tinnunculus Kestrel B 1995 22 27 B B2 Porzana parva Little Crake B 1992 65 — B B3 Two marshes—Bubnów and Staw—located in the Łęczyńsko- Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 55 150 B A1, B2 Włodawskie lakeland. The marshes are separated by a small river, Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1995 647 668 A B2 and are drained by a watercourse from the Włodawka catchment. The Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1995 90 100 A B2 habitat is mainly fens with sedge-beds. Open areas are covered in some 1. 1991–1993. places by sparse reed Phragmites. About 10 ha is covered with great 2. On passage at Siemieñ ponds. fen sedge Cladium, and there are characteristic hummocks of dry Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA grassland in the marshes, with small patches of willow Salix scrub at criteria: Gallinago media (up to five pairs). the marsh-edges.

Habitats Forest and woodland (18%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; steppe/ ■ Protection status dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (72%; standing fresh water; water- National None International None fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) ■ Conservation issues Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Afforestation (C), Agricultural ■ Birds intensification/expansion (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Drainage (A), Groundwater abstraction (B), Selective logging/cutting (B) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1997 230 248 A A1, B2 Fishermen, and reed burning in spring, cause some disturbance to Aquatic Warbler birds, especially to geese and some ducks. Also, early filling of some ponds reduces breeding numbers of Charadrius dubius and C. hiaticula, 1. Singing males. and filling ponds too high destroys nests of gulls and terns. A total of 90 species have been recorded, 50 of them breeding. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (three pairs). Parczew forests A1, B2 065 ■ Protection status Admin region lubelskie National High International None Coordinates 51°33’N 22°55’E 2,104 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Poleski, 9,648 ha). 1,469 ha Altitude 143–170 m Area 8,000 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Bagno Bubnów, 1,469 ha).

■ Site description ■ Conservation issues A forest complex in the north-west part of the Łęczyńsko-Włodawskie Threats Burning of vegetation (C), Groundwater abstraction (A) lakeland, between the Wieprz–Krzna Canal and the Tyśmienica river. The forest is drained by tributaries of the Tyśmienica (Ochoża, Reed-burning is a threat to nesting birds.

573 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

channels which join the Udal river system (the Bug tributary), the Middle Bug river valley A1, B2, B3 067 Świerżowski canal system and the Gdolanka river system (the Uherka Admin region lubelskie tributary). Coordinates 51°20’N 23°38’E Altitude 128–179 m Area 5,100 ha ■ Birds

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Site description A 340 km long stretch of the Bug river valley along the border with Circus pygargus Montagu’s Harrier B 1993 33 45 — B3 Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl B 1993 1 11 — B2 Ukraine and Belarus, from Gołębie village (where the Bug enters 1 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1997 212 241 — A1, B2 Poland) to the mouth of the Krzna tributary. The main tributaries Aquatic Warbler flowing into the Bug along this stretch are (largest first) the Huczwa, 1. Singing males in 1997; in 1980s, 300–350. Wełnianka, Udal, Uherka, Włodawka and Hanna. This stretch is 2–3 km wide, and includes the Husynne storage reservoir on the Udal Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet tributary. The channel of the Bug is deeply incised and has a natural IBA criteria: Crex crex (six pairs), Gallinago media (16 displaying character (no dredging or regulating work has been undertaken), while males). the relatively flat valley is covered by meadows with variably wet soils, small areas of degraded riverside forest of alder Alnus and willow Salix ■ Protection status scrub, and arable land. Oxbow lakes are common. Husynne reservoir National High International None (112 ha, 2.5 m deep) is half-overgrown with reedbeds Phragmites and 377 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Bagno Serebryskie, 377 ha). water-soldier Pistia. 165 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Brzeźno, 165 ha). 473 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Roskosz, 473 ha). 1,100 ha of IBA Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native covered by Landscape Park (Chełmski, 14,000 ha). 600 ha of IBA coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (10%; scrub), covered by Protected Landscape Area (Chełmski, 32,110 ha). Grassland (65%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (10%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe ■ Conservation issues vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (10%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas; Threats Burning of vegetation (A), Drainage (A), Industrialization/urbanization (U), ruderal land) Infrastructure (U) Land-use Agriculture (75%), Forestry (5%), Hunting, Nature conservation/ In the immediate proximity of Chełm, the cement-works and busy research (30%), Not utilized (5%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) transportation network pose a considerable threat to the marshes. Another threat is infrastructural development associated with a ■ Birds motorway-construction program linking Chełm with the border- crossing at Dorohusk. Only one marsh lies fully within a protected Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria area (Bagno Serebryskie Nature Reserve). There are plans to enlarge Ciconia ciconia White Stork B 1994 400 430 A B2 Circus pygargus Montagu’s Harrier B 1996 40 — B B3 the other reserves that partially cover other marshes (Brzeźno and 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 60 — C A1 Roskosz). OTOP and IUCN-WCU are carrying out a project to Riparia riparia Sand Martin B 1995 10,000 12,000 B B2 protect and rehabilitate the marshes. 1. 60 calling birds at two 100 km2 plots in 1997, so number much higher over whole area.

Other breeding species include Actitis hypoleucos and Alcedo atthis. Strzeleckie forests B2, B3 069 Admin region lubelskie ■ Protection status Coordinates 50°58’N 23°53’E National None International None Altitude 175–200 m Area 8,500 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Threats Burning of vegetation (B), Drainage (A), Industrialization/urbanization (B), A densely forested area at the confluence of the Bug and Wełnianka Infrastructure (A) rivers. Forest is dominated by dry-ground species, e.g. hornbeam The enlargement of border crossings in five places poses a threat— Carpinus; riverside forest (alder Alnus) and coniferous forest (spruce some important species no longer breed in these places. Since 1997 a Picea) cover only a small part of the area. The site is surrounded by project by IUCN and the Ornithological Society has meadows on almost all sides. investigated status, function and threats in the Bug valley, in Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous cooperation with Ukraine on the right bank. forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Artificial landscape (10%; arable land) Land-use Agriculture (20%), Forestry (80%), Hunting Che³m calcareous marshes A1, B2, B3 068 Admin region lubelskie ■ Birds Coordinates 51°10’N 23°37’E Altitude 150–150 m Area 1,700 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1998 15 20 — B2 Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1993 400 500 — B3 ■ Site description Habitats Forest and woodland (3%), Scrub (10%; scrub), Grassland (5%; humid ■ Protection status grassland), Wetland (80%; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/ National High International None spring), Artificial landscape (3%; ruderal land) 8,500 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Strzelecki, 9,035 ha). Land-use Agriculture (40%), Hunting, Nature conservation/research (50%), Water management (10%) ■ Conservation issues The site is a complex of calcareous marshes—Gotówka, Brzeźno, Błota Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Afforestation (U) Serebryjskie, Rozkosz and Stefanów—situated north-west and west of Chełm town. Fens overlie the chalk, and are dominated by great The main threat is the loss of meadows (especially in glades within the fen sedge Cladium. Wetter areas are covered by beds of reed Phragmites forest), due to abandonment of hay harvesting and to afforestation. and sedge Carex. Within the marshes are chalk islands covered with This is considered to have reduced the number of breeding pairs of dry grassland and scrub. Surrounding meadows are used by farmers. Aquila pomarina in the forest (from 17–20 pairs at the start of the Most of the marshes are cut by old but still functioning drainage 1990s to 15 pairs currently).

574 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

A total of 80 species have been recorded breeding. Niepo³omice forest B3 070 Admin region ma³opolskie ■ Protection status Coordinates 50°04’N 20°20’E National High International None Altitude 175–200 m Area 11,000 ha 7,030 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Gorczański, 7,030 ha).

■ Site description ■ Conservation issues Niepołomice forest lies in lightly undulating country at the Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Deforestation confluence of the Wisła (Vistula) and rivers (the Karpaty (commercial) (U), Disturbance to birds (U), Industrialization/urbanization (U), Plateau rapids). The forest is drained by the river, which Infrastructure (U), Recreation/tourism (U) bisects the site. The southern part is densely forested, dominated by pine Pinus or mixed oak Quercus/Pinus. Dry-ground forest of Some mountain pastures (privately owned) are reverting to forest hornbeam Carpinus is dominant in the northern part, but there is also following the cessation of grazing. Birds are disturbed by the high riverine forest of alder Alnus, wooded meadows, and oxbow lakes at number of tourists and local people collecting wild foodstuffs. Some various stages of silting up. Stands are predominantly young, but in privately owned forests along the border of the National Park are some places there is still some old-growth forest. The forest is being clear-felled. Tree-death from acid rain (air pollution originating surrounded by meadows and arable land, and adjoins a dozen or so from industry upwind) is also a problem. An overhead cable-car to villages. the highest peak (Turbacz) is proposed, which would further increase the number of tourists and the amount of infrastructural development Habitats Forest and woodland (75%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native in the region. coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (20%; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (3%; river/stream), Artificial landscape (3%) Land-use Agriculture (15%), Forestry (85%), Hunting Tatra mountains A3, B2, B3 072 Admin region ma³opolskie Coordinates 49°15’N 19°55’E ■ Birds Altitude 844–2,499 m Area 21,164 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1980 500 1,000 — B3 ■ Site description 1. One of the largest populations in Poland. Tatra National Park covers the whole of the Polish part of the Tatras A total of 180 species have been recorded, including 115 breeders or range (Western Tatras), the youngest and highest mountains in Poland probable breeders, and 60 migrants. (up to 2,499 m). At lower altitudes there is heavily modified subalpine spruce Picea forest, followed by upper subalpine forest, then the ■ Protection status mountain pine Pinus mugo zone, followed by alpine pastures and rock National Low International None towers at the highest elevations. There is a great variety of land-forms 25 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Długosz Królewski, 25 ha). with many mountain lakes () and karst features (Western 13 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Dębina, 13 ha). 29 ha of Tatras; e.g. caves). The site is contiguous with the ‘Tatry’ IBA across IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Gibiel, 29 ha). 3 ha of IBA covered the border in Slovakia. by Nature Reserve (Koło w Puszczy Niepołomickiej, 3 ha). 25 ha of Habitats Forest and woodland (71%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Lipówka, 25 ha). 150 ha of IBA treeline ecotone), Grassland (5%; alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland), covered by Nature Reserve (Rezerwat hodowlany żubra nizinnego, Rocky areas (24%; scree/boulders; inland cliff), Artificial landscape (1%; ruderal 150 ha). 7 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Wiślisko Kobyle, land) 7 ha). Land-use Agriculture (15%), Forestry (5%), Nature conservation/research (70%), Tourism/recreation (10%) ■ Conservation issues Threats Deforestation (commercial) (U), Industrialization/urbanization (U) ■ Birds Air pollution by industry threatens forest trees and other wildlife. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse B 1986 30 40 — B2 Bubo bubo Eagle Owl B 1986 5 6 — B2 Gorce mountains B2, B3 071 Prunella collaris Alpine Accentor B 1986 150 300 — A3 Admin region ma³opolskie Turdus torquatus Ring Ouzel B 1986 1,000 2,000 — B3 Tichodroma muraria Wallcreeper B 1986 — 10 — A3 Coordinates 49°31’N 20°10’E Altitude 600–1,288 m Area 7,030 ha Breeding species include Crex crex (of global conservation concern but not meeting IBA criteria) and two of the 10 species in Europe that ■ Site description are restricted to the European high-mountain biome when breeding A tract of the Gorce mountains (part of the Western Beskidy range), (Prunella collaris in especially good numbers). A total of 200 species comprising the upper part of the Kamienica river catchment and parts have been recorded. of other catchments. The peaks of Jaworzyna (1,288 m), Kudłoń (1,276 m) and Mostownica (1,251 m) lie within the National Park, ■ Protection status which is covered mainly by semi-natural subalpine forest, dominated National High International High by spruce Picea, oak Quercus and fir Abies. Mountain pasture occurs 21,164 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Tatrzański, 21,164 ha). at higher elevations. Over 50% of IBA covered by Nature Reserves (details unavailable; most or all are contiguous). 21,164 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Habitats Forest and woodland (93%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Grassland Reserve (Tatra, 21,164 ha). (6%; alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland), Wetland, Artificial landscape Land-use Agriculture (2%), Forestry (5%), Nature conservation/research (51%), Not ■ Conservation issues utilized (5%), Tourism/recreation (45%) Threats Industrialization/urbanization (U), Infrastructure (U), Recreation/ tourism (U) ■ Birds Threats include air and water pollution (air-borne deposits from Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria industry upwind), tourism/recreation, transportation, infrastructure Picus canus Grey-headed Woodpecker R 1998 10 20 — B2 development up to the Park border, and a proposal to hold the Winter Turdus torquatus Ring Ouzel B 1998 50 100 — B3 Olympic Games here.

575 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

■ Birds Janów forests B2 073 Admin region podkarpackie, lubelskie Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 50°40’N 22°15’E 1 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1995 4 6 A B2 Altitude 200–240 m Area 50,000 ha 1. Decreasing. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA ■ Site description criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair). The north-western part of Solska forest. Wet soils cover half of the area, which is drained by many natural watercourses, channels and ■ Protection status ditches. Forest vegetation is dense and species-rich, dominated in National High International None places by pine Pinus, fir Abies, spruce Picea, oak Quercus, beech Fagus, 28,980 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Puszcza Solska, ash Fraxinus and alder Alnus. Many stands have a natural character 28,980 ha). with some old-growth trees. Raised bogs and transitional mires occur in areas with little water flow, and were used in the last century for ■ Conservation issues fish-ponds. There are 150 such former ponds, each with an area of Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Drainage (B), Groundwater abstraction (B), Selective 10–50 ha and a varying amount of plant cover. logging/cutting (B) Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Fish-farming involves the cutting of grass and sedge during the forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (3%), Wetland (15%; breeding season, which disturbs nesting birds. standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (3%) Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (20%), Forestry (80%), Hunting Przemyœl Plateau Landscape Park A1, B2, B3 075 Admin region podkarpackie ■ Birds Coordinates 49°43’N 22°30’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 100–616 m Area 62,000 ha Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1993 20 — — B2 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1993 15 — — B2 ■ Site description Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA A varied area of foothills, mainly covered with broadleaved forest of criteria: Aythya nyroca (2–3 pairs), Crex crex. beech Fagus and hornbeam Carpinus and mixed forest of fir Abies and oak Quercus. In valley-bottoms there is riverside forest and scrub ■ Protection status of alder Alnus. Open areas comprise fields and meadows with dry National High International None grassland. Some of the area used to be state farms, but has been 738 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Imielty Lug, 738 ha). 56 ha abandoned and is now used by hunters. of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Jastkowice, 56 ha). 169 ha of IBA Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed covered by Nature Reserve (Kacze Błota, 169 ha). 2,677 ha of IBA forest), Grassland (10%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), covered by Nature Reserve (Lasy Janowskie, 2,677 ha). 278 ha of IBA Wetland (5%; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape covered by Nature Reserve (Szklarnia, 278 ha). 39,150 ha of IBA (5%; arable land) covered by Landscape Park (Lasy Janowskie, 39,150 ha). 10,500 ha Land-use Agriculture (10%), Forestry (80%), Hunting (5%), Nature conservation/ of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Lipsko-Janowski, research (5%) 60,500 ha).

■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (A), Burning of vegetation (U), Deforestation Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria (commercial) (A), Drainage (A), Natural events (U), Selective logging/cutting (A) Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1989 8 10 B B2 Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard B 1989 15 20 B B3 There are 15–20 forest-fires per year, resulting from widespread Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1991 15 20 A B2 recreational use of the area, although the fire-fighting response is well Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 100 200 B A1, B2 organized. Widespread tree-death or damage by infestations of insect pests (‘Natural events’) can also be a problem, although there is a A total of 112 breeding species (and five probable breeders) have been well-organized monitoring system. In 1994 the area became a ‘forest recorded. promotion complex’, where management (based on ongoing research) aims to re-create approximately natural forest conditions (including ■ Protection status hydrology and soils) while allowing some exploitation of forest National High International None resources and products to continue, combined with public awareness 3 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Brzoza Czarna w Reczpolu, activities. The site is an amalgamation of two sites (the former PL073– 3 ha). 138 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Krępak, 138 ha). PL074) identified in the previous pan-European IBA inventory 61,862 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Pogórza Przemyskiego, (Grimmett and Jones 1989). 61,862 ha).

■ Conservation issues Solska Forest Landscape Park B2 074 Threats Afforestation (B), Dredging/canalization (A), Intensified forest management (A), Admin region lubelskie, podkarpackie Selective logging/cutting (A) Coordinates 50°23’N 23°08’E Altitude 50–280 m Area 28,980 ha

Starzawa ponds A4iii, B2 076 ■ Site description Admin region podkarpackie The site is covered by large expanses of forest, mainly coniferous and Coordinates 49°52’N 23°00’E dominated by pine Pinus and fir Abies. There are many fish-ponds, Altitude 200–200 m Area 950 ha mainly in the area of Ruda Różaniecka village, and wet areas of Pinus forest with bilberry Vaccinium and small reed-grass Calamagrostis. ■ Site description Habitats Forest and woodland (85%; native coniferous forest), Grassland (10%), A pond complex with adjacent wet meadows, riverine forests and Wetland (5%; standing fresh water; river/stream) arable land, situated between the Wisznia river (the San tributary) Land-use Agriculture (10%), Forestry (85%), Hunting, Water management (5%) and the Bucowski Canal near to the Polish–Ukrainian border. Most

576 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland of the pond area is overgrown with submerged pondweed Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Potamogeton, floating water-lilies Nymphaea and fringing belts of reed forest; mixed forest), Scrub (3%; scrub), Grassland (15%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; Phragmites. The ponds are intensively used for fish-farming. alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland), Wetland (5%; river/stream), Rocky areas (3%), Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (30%; humid Artificial landscape (3%; arable land; ruderal land) grassland), Wetland (50%; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Land-use Agriculture (15%), Forestry (50%), Hunting, Nature conservation/research (25%), Artificial landscape (5%; arable land; ruderal land) Tourism/recreation (10%) Land-use Agriculture (70%), Fisheries/aquaculture (30%), Hunting ■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1998 20 20 — B2 1 1 Riparia riparia Sand Martin B 1993 2,500 3,000 — B2 Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard B 1998 25 25 — B3 1 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1998 61 61 — B2 1. One colony by fish-ponds. 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1998 200 200 — A1, B2 1 An important area for waterbirds migrating along the Wisła (Vistula), Bubo bubo Eagle Owl B 1998 7 8 — B2 Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1998 400 600 — B3 San and Dniestr rivers, with up to 10,000–40,000 staging here in autumn, mainly Anas platyrhynchos, Aythya ferina, Fulica atra, 1. 1995–1998. Vanellus vanellus and Larus ridibundus. Species of global conservation A total of 161 species have been recorded. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (3–4 pairs), concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga (1–2 non-breeding Haliaeetus albicilla (one non-breeding bird), Crex crex. birds).

■ Protection status ■ Protection status National None International None National High International High 27,833 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Bieszczadzki, 27,833 ha). ■ Conservation issues 1,876 ha of IBA covered by 17 Nature Reserves (Cisy na Górze Jawor; Dźwiniacz; Gołoborze; Hulskie im. Stefana Myczkowskiego; Krywe; Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Other (U) Łokieć; Litmirz; Olsza Kosa w Stężnicy; Olszyna Łęgowa w Kalnicy; Threats include reed-cutting during the breeding season (‘Other’). Przełom Solinki; Puszcza Bieszczadzka nad Sanem; Sine Wiry; Tarnawa; Wetlina; Woronikówka; Zakole; Zswięzło; combined area of 1,876 ha). 51,146 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Cieśnińsko-Wetliński, 51,146 ha). 34,866 ha of IBA covered by Bieszczady mountains A1, B2, B3 077 Landscape Park (Doliny Sany, 34,866 ha). 108,924 ha of IBA covered Admin region podkarpackie by Biosphere Reserve (East Carpathian/East Beskid, 108,924 ha). Coordinates 49°10’N 22°30’E Altitude 500–1,346 m Area 114,000 ha ■ Conservation issues Threats Drainage (U), Industrialization/urbanization (U), Infrastructure (U), Intensified ■ Site description forest management (U) The site covers part of the Western Bieszczady range, the only part of the Eastern Carpathians lying within Poland. The lowest part of the The main threats are infrastructural and urban development along site is mainly deforested, above which is subalpine forest (covering river valleys and within Landscape Parks (new hotels, pensions, etc.), 84% of the site), dominated mainly by beech Fagus. Above that are drainage, loss of suitable habitat features for raptors and hole-nesters, extensive alpine meadows and Vaccinium heath, with alder Alnus and forest succession in open habitats. Almost the whole area is part shrubs. of a transboundary Biosphere Reserve shared with Slovakia.

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(1997) Liczebność i rozmieszczenie derkacza, geographical, culture and nature environment.] Ciechanów, Poland: Tow. Crex crex, na terenach otwartych Kampinoskiego Parku Narodowego Przyj. Broku. (In Polish.) [Numbers and distribution of the Corncrake Crex crex in the open areas DOLATA, P. T. (1993) Stawy Przygodzickie—zagrożenia środowiska i postulaty of the Kampinoski National Park and its surroundings in 1996–97] Not. ochronne. [The Przygodzickie Ponds—the menace for their habitats and Orn. 38: 197–213. (In Polish.) conservation recommendations.] Przeg. Przyr. 4(3): 181–192. (In Polish.) KORZENIAK, J., ZAJĄC, K. AND ZAJĄC,T. (1995) Delta środkowej Nidy—stan DOMBROWSKI, A., KOT, H. AND RZĘPAŁA, M. (1990) Zgrupowania ptaków aktualny i perspektywy ochrony. [Delta of the Middle Nida—actual stage Zalewu Zegrzyńskiego. [Concentration of birds at Zegrzyń Reservoir] Pp. and perspective conservation.] Chrońmy Przyr. 51(5): 27–46. (In Polish.) 163–180 in Z. Kajak, ed. Funkcjonowanie ekosystemów wodnych, ich ochrona KOSIŃSKI, Z. KUCZYŃSKI, L., OSIEJUK, T. AND WYPYCHOWSKI, K. 1994 i rekultywacja. Ekologia zbiorników zaporowych i rzek. [Functioning of the Znaczenie zbiornika Jeziorsko dla przelotnych siewkowców (Charadrii). water ecosystems, their conservation and reclamation. Ecology of dammed [Importance of the Jeziorsko Reservoir for migratory waders reservoirs and rivers.] Poland: Pr. SGGW-AR, 50. (In Polish.) (Charadrii).] Przegl. Przyr. 5(2): 33–45. DOMBROWSKI, A., NAWROCKI, P., KROGULEC, J., CHMIELEWSKI, S. AND KOT, H., ED. (1995) Przyroda województwa siedleckiego. [Nature of Siedlce RZĘPAŁA, M. (1994) Awifauna bocznych odnóg Wisły Środkowej w sezonie voivodship.] Siedlce, Poland: UW. (In Polish.) lęgowym. [Breeding avifauna of the lateral arms of the Vistula middle KROGULEC, J. (1991) Czynniki warunkujące liczebność błotniaków łąkowych course.] Not. Orn. 35: 49–78. (In Polish.) (Circus pygargus, Aves, Accipitrides) w rezerwatach torfowiskowych DYRCZ, A. (1994) Pierwsze stwierdzenie lęgu ohara (Tadorna tadorna) na Lubelszczyzny. [Factors effecting numbers of Montagu’s Harrier (Circus Śląsku. [The first breeding record of shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) in Silesia.] pygargus, Aves, Accipitrides) in peatland reserves at Lublin province.] Pr. Ptaki Śląska 8: 132–133. Mat. Muzeum, Prądnik. 3: 251–254. (In Polish.) DYRCZ, A. (1995) Ocena wpływu poziomów piętrzenia na Zbiorniku KUŁAKOWSKI, T. (1993) Ptaki Niecki Gródecko-Michałowskiej. [Birds of Mietkowskim na siedliska ptaków wodnych i wodno-błotnych. [The effect Gródecko-Michałowska Syncline. Report for PPTOP.] Unpublished. (In of water damming in the Mietków on waterfowl and waders habitats.] Polish.) Chrońmy Przyr. 51(6): 26–38. KUCHARSKI, R. (1992) Ptaki wodne i błotne stawów rybnych w Ślesinie. GŁOWACIŃSKI, Z. , ED. (1992) Polska czerwona księga zwierząt. [Polish Red [Waterfowl of Ślesin fishponds.] Bydgoszcz, Poland: ART. (MSc. thesis) Data Book for Animals.] Warszawa: PWRiL. (In Polish.) (In Polish.)

578 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Poland

KUCHARSKI, R. (1994) Inwentaryzacja zimujących ptaków jezior i rzek PUGACEWICZ, E. (1995a) Stan populacji puchacza (Bubo bubo) na Nizinie Zaborskiego Parku Krajobrazowego. [Listing of wintering birds on lakes Północnopodlaskiej w latach 1984–94. [ Population of the Eagle Owl (Bubo and rivers of .] Bydgoszcz, Poland: ART. bubo) in the Nizina Północnopodlaska lowlands in 1984–1994.] Not. Orn. Unpublished. (In Polish.) 36: 119–134. (In Polish.) KUNYSZ, P. (1993) Awifauna lęgowa stawów rybnych w Starzawie (1982–1992). PUGACEWICZ, E. (1995b) Stan populacji orlika grubodziobego (Aquila clanga) [Breeding birds of Starzawa fishponds (1982–1992).] Pp. 15–28 in J. Hordowski, w Kotlinie Biebrzańskiej w latach 1989–1993. [Population of the Spotted ed. Badania nad ornitofauną Ziemi Przemyskiej. [Study on the avifauna of Eagle (Aquila clanga) in the Biebrza Marshes in 1989–1993.] Not. Orn. 36: Przemyœl region.] Poland: Pr. Zakł. Fizjogr. Arbor. Bolestraszyce. (In Polish.) 311–322. (In Polish.) KUNYSZ, P. (1994) Awifauna lęgowa Parków Krajobrazowych: Pogórza PUGACEWICZ, E. (1996) Lęgowe ptaki drapieżne Puszczy Białowieskiej. [Birds Przemyskiego, Południoworoztoczańskiego i Puszczy Solskiej. [Breeding birds of prey breeding in the Polish part of the Białowieża Primaeval Forest.] of Landscape Parks: Przemyśl Plateau, Southern and Solska Forest.] Not. Orn. 37: 173–224. (In Polish.) Badania nad ornitofauną Ziemi Przemyskiej 2: 21–41. (In Polish.) RANOSZEK, E. AND RANOSZEK, W. (1994) Przyroda Doliny Baryczy— KUPCZYK, M. (1997) Awifauna Nadgopla—liczebność i rozmieszczenie. Przewodnik. [Nature of the Barycz Valley—Guide.] Wrocław, Poland: [Avifauna of the Gopło area—numbers and distribution.] Pp. 55–116 in M. PTPP ‘Pro Natura’. (In Polish.) Ptaki wybranych jezior Wielkopolski. [Birds of selected lakes Kupczyk, ed. RODZIEWICZ, A. AND RODZIEWICZ, M. (1995) Walory przyrodnicze Iławskiego of Wielkopolska.] Pr. Zakł. Biol. Ekol. Ptaków, UAM, 7. (In Polish.) Parku Krajobrazowego—założenia do Planu Ochrony Parku. Olsztyn, KUŹNIAK, S. (1993) Ptaki doliny Obry w okresie lęgowym. [Birds of Obra valley Poland: BPP. Unpublished. (In Polish.) at breeding season.] Unpublished. (In Polish.) SIKORA, A., CENIAN, Z., KAPOWICZ, R., PÓŁTORAK, W. AND RYŚ, A. (1996) KUŹNIAK, S. AND LOREK, G. (1993) Ptaki Zbiornika Wonieść i terenów Ptaki Jeziora Oświn i terenów przyległych. Propozycja korekty granic sąsiednich. [Birds of Wonieść Reservoir and surrounding areas (western rezerwatu. Report for OTOP. Unpublished. (In Polish.) Poland).] Pr. Zakł. Biol. Ekol. Ptaków, UAM 2: 1–45. (In Polish.) STAJSZCZYK, M. (1994) Ptaki doliny Odry między Brzegiem a Oławą. [Birds of LEWARTOWSKI, Z. (1994) Raport o stanie awifauny oraz innych grup kręgowców the valley between Brzeg and Oława.] Ptaki Śląska 10: 78–98. (In Polish.) w NPK. Unpublished. (In Polish.) STAWARCZYK, T. AND KARNAŚ, A. (1992) Sukcesja lęgowych ptaków wodno- LEWARTOWSKI, Z. (1997) Waloryzacja awifauny lęgowej doliny górnej Narwi i błotnych na Zbiorniku Turawskim w latach 1977–1991. [Succession of konieczność jej ochrony. [Valorization of breeding avifauna of upper Narew breeding waterfowl in 1977–1991 on Turawski Reservoir.] Ptaki Śląska 9: valley and need of it protection] Zeszyty Postępów Nauk Rolniczych, Falenty 1–15. (In Polish.) k/ Warszawy. (In Polish.) STAWARCZYK, T., GRABIŃSKI, W. AND KARNAŚ, A. (1996) Dynamika migracji MACHNIKOWSKI, M., GERSMANOWA, E., JANCZEWSKA, A., KNAPIK, A., MARSZ, siewkowych (Charadriiformes) na Zbiornikach Nyskim i Turawskim w A., NARWOJSZ, A., ROSZMAN, H., SAWON, E., SĄGIN, P., SZYMKIEWICZ, M., latach 1976–94. [Migration of Charadriiformes at Nyski and Turawski POSTRACH, K., RUGIEŃ, L., BĄKOWSKI, Z. AND PAMPUCH, T. (1993) Reservoir in 1976–94.] Ptaki Śląska 11: 39–80. Dokumentacja do powołania Parku Krajobrazowego Puszcza Napiwodzko- SZYMKIEWICZ, M., PIŁAT, G. AND MELLIN, M. (1995) Awifauna Nietlickich Ramucka. [Documentation for creation of Landscape Park of Napiwodzko- Bagien k. Giżycka w 1994. [Avifauna of Nietlice Marshes near Giżycko.] Ramucka Forest.] Gdynia, Poland: IOS. Unpublished. (In Polish.) Warszawa: Fundacja IUCN-Poland. (In Polish.) MARCHOWSKI, D. (1996) Ptaki lęgowe i zimujące w Parku Krajobrazowym Dolina TOMIAŁOJĆ, L. (1995) The birds of the Białowieża Forests—additional data Dolnej Odry. [Breeding and wintering birds in Landscape Park of Lower and summary. Acta Zool. Crac. 1(38): 363–397. Odra valley.] Gryfino, Poland: Dyrekcja PK Dolina Dolnej Odry i Cedyńskiego PK. Unpublished. (In Polish.) TOMIAŁOJĆ, L. AND WESOŁOWSKI, T. (1996) Structure of a primaeval forest bird community during 1970s and 1990s (Białowieża National Park, MEISSNER, W., AND KOZAKIEWICZ, M. (1995) Zimowanie ptaków wodnych na Poland). Acta Orn. 31: 133–154. Zatoce Gdańskiej w sezonie 1994/95. [Wintering of waterfowl on the Bay of Gdańsk in the 1994/95 season.] Not. Orn. 36: 386–390. TRACZ, M. AND TRACZ, M. (1997) Badania faunistyczne w Ińskim Parku Krajobrazowym. [Faunistic research in the Iński Lanscape Park] Przeg. MEISSNER, W., KOZAKIEWICZ, M. AND SKAKUJ, M. (1994) Zimowanie ptaków wodnych na Zatoce Gdańskiej w sezonie 1993/94. [Report of wintering Przyr. 8(3): 105–115. (In Polish.) waterfowl counts in the Gulf of Gdańsk in 1993/94.] Not. Orn. 35: 189–192. TRYJANOWSKI, P. (1991) Godny ochrony fragment doliny Obry w województwie (In Polish.) zielonogórskim. [Worthy of protection part of Obra valley in Zielona Góra voivodship.] Chrońmy Przyr. 47(5): 112–114. NOWICKI, W. AND KOT, H. (1993) Awifauna Środkowej Wisły i jej głównych dopływów—unikatowe wartości oraz warunki ich zachowania. [Avifauna of TUCKER, G. M. AND HEATH, M. F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation the middle Vistula and its main tributaries: unique features and conditions status. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation of their preservation.] Pp. 81–95 in L. Tomiałojć, ed. Ochrona przyrody i Series No. 3). środowiska w dolinach nizinnych rzek Polski. [Nature and environment TUCKER, G. M. AND EVANS, M. I., EDS. (1997) Habitats for birds in Europe: a conservation in the lowland river valleys of Poland.] Kraków, Poland: IOP conservation strategy for the wider environment. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife PAN. (In Polish.) International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 6). OLEKSIK, I. (1992) Ptaki Zbiornika Łąka (woj. katowickie). [Birds of Łąka WASILEWSKI, J. (1990) Dynamics of the abundance and consumption of birds Reservoir ( voiv.).] Ptaki Śląska 9: 49–60. of prey in the Niepołomice Forest. Acta Zool. Crac. 33(10): 173–213. OWCZAREK, S. AND SZLACHETKA, A. (1996) Inwentaryzacja ornitologiczna gminy WESOŁOWKI, T. AND TOMIAŁOJĆ, L. (1995) Ornithologische Untersuchungen Rudna. Legnica, Poland : UW. Unpublished. (In Polish.) im Urwald von Białowieża—ein Unersicht. Orn. Beobachter 92: 111–146. PIOTROWSKA, M., WÓJCIAK, J. AND BORCHULSKI, Z. (1990) Bagno Bubnów, WINIECKI, A. (1996) Struktura i zmienność zgrupowań ptaków lęgowych w projektowany rezerwat faunistyczny w województwie chełmskim. [The krajobrazie doliny rzecznej oraz możliwości oceny ich wartości. [Structure Bubnów Bog—a proposed faunistic reserve.] Chrońmy Przyr. 46: 54–61. (In and variability of breeding bird communities in the river valley landscape Polish.) and the possibilities of their assessment.] Pr. Zakł. Biol. Ekol. Ptaków, PIOTROWSKA, M. (1994) Inwentaryzacja ptaków wodno-błotnych w dolinie Bugu UAM 5: 1–135. (In Polish.) od m. Gołębie w gm. Dołhobyczów do granicy z woj. chełmskim. Zamość, WITKOWSKI, J., ORŁOWSKA, B., RANOSZEK, E. AND STAWARCZYK, T. (1995) Poland: UW. Unpublished. (In Polish.) Awifauna doliny Baryczy. [The avifauna of the Barycz River valley.] Not. PIOTROWSKA, M. (1995) Awifauna doliny Bugu w granicach województwa Orn. 36: 5–74. (In Polish.) chełmskiego. Chełm, Poland: UW. Unpublished. (In Polish.) ZAJĄC, T. (1994) Znaczenie łąk i obszarów podmokłych dla ornitofauny w PIOTROWSKA, M. (1996) Awifauna doliny Bugu na odcinku Pawluki—Neple w Polsce—dolina Nidy. [The role of meadows and wet areas for avifauna województwie bielskopodlaskim. Biała Podlaska, Poland: UW. Unpublished. in Poland—Nida Valley.] Report to IUCN-Poland. Unpublished. (In (In Polish.) Polish.) PRZYBYSZ, J. (1993) Wyniki badań nad ptakami Zaborskiego Parku ZAWADZKA, D. AND ZAWADZKI, J. (1995) Wstępna charakterystyka Krajobrazowego w Borach Tucholskich: Walory przyrodnicze-problemy awifauny Wigierskiego Parku Narodowego. [Preliminary characteristics ochrony-przyszłość. [Results of bird studies at Zaborski Landscape Park in of the Lake avifauna.] Not. Orn. 36: 297–310. (In Tuchola Forests: nature value—protection problems—future.] Toruń, Polish.) Poland: UMK. (In Polish.) ZAWADZKA, D. AND ZAWADZKI, J. (1996) Sprawozdanie z wykonania PUGACEWICZ, E. (1994a) Populacja orlika krzykliwego (Aquila pomarina) na inwentaryzacji stanowisk lęgowych ptaków, objętych ochroną strefową, w Nizinie Północnopodlaskiej. [Population of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila 1996 r. Suwałki, Poland: UW. Unpublished. (In Polish.) pomarina) in the plain of Nizina Północnopodlaska.] Not. Orn. 35: 139–156. ZIELIŃSKI, J. (1996) Ptaki wodne i błotne stawów rybnych w Ostrówku. (In Polish.) [Waterfowl of fishponds in Ostrówek.] Bydgoszcz, Poland: ART (MSc. PUGACEWICZ, E. (1994b) Stan populacji bociana czarnego (Ciconia nigra) na thesis). (In Polish.) Nizinie Północnopodlaskiej w latach 1985–94. [Population of the Black Stork ZIELIŃSKI, M. AND STUDZIŃSKI, S. (1996) Awifauna Błot Rakutowskich pod (Ciconia nigra) in the Nizina Północnopodlaska lowlands in 1985–1994.] Not. Włocławkiem. [Avifauna of the marshland of Błota Rakutowskie near Orn. 35: 297–308. (In Polish.) Włocławek.] Not. Orn. 37: 259–300. (In Polish.)

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