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Polish Wildlife

Ten Reasons to Visit Poland (click on any image to see a larger version)

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 The Nietoperek Bat reserve, part of the second world war Miedzyrzecz Fortifications (underground bunker system), in the west of Poland is home to some of Europe's rarest bat species, including: Greater Mouse-eared, Barbastelle, Bechstein's, Whiskered, Natterer's, Brown Long-eared, Serotine and several others.

More White Stork's nest in Poland than in any other country. Their nests can be seen on rooftops, towers, chimneys, telephone-poles, trees, and specially constructed nest towers. According to the latest research "every fourth stork in the world is Polish".

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 Wild Boar (wild hog) can be found all over the country. Most of them live in the many forests, but some even make their home in cities! If you're travelling after dusk you may come across a group of them out for an evening stroll! More about Wild Boar in Poland.  

The largest concentration of European Bison live in Europe's last remaining primeval forest, the Bialowieza National Park. The Bison is Europe's largest mammal and males can stand over 6 feet tall, be longer than 9 feet, and weigh over 2,000 lbs. 

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 The White Tailed Eagle is the country's largest bird of prey. Adult birds have a wingspan up to 8 ft, and a sitting height of between 28 and 36 inches, and can weigh up to 15lbs. It can be found in several places in Poland including the Warta National Park and is an active predator, taking fish, mammals and waterbirds and also feeding on carrion. Other Birds of Prey to be found here include: the Greater Spotted Eagle, European Honey-buzzards, Eurasian Hobby, Western Marsh-harrier, and the Montagu's Harrier. 

The European Lynx is a distinctive looking cat, which is readily identified by its short tail. Weighing up to 80 lbs, the European or Eurasian Lynx is the largest of all  small cats. Their main prey are small deer, hares, woodchucks and foxes. They live in heavilly forested regions including the Kampinoski National Park. 

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 The Corncrake is an attractive bird with a beautiful and distinctive call. Many keen bird watchers and nature lovers the world over dream of seeing a corncrake. Corncrakes are related to moorhens, coots and rails but differ because they live on dry land, nesting in hay meadows. They are one of the world's most threatened birds because of the intensive farming methods practiced throughout most of Europe.

The European Beaver is one of the world's largest rodents. This animal measures up to 4 1\2 feet including its tail, and weighs up to 70 lbs. It was hunted for its valuable fur in the past, and was on the verge of extinction. They are to be found living in colonies of twelve or more and are very social animals.

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 Poland is one of the last remaining countries with large enough forest complexes and diversity of flora and fauna to support significant Grey Wolf populations. According to official data there are believed to be around 800 Grey Wolves in the country. The main wolf refuge is in the Carpathians Mountains. Isolated populations also exist in places like the Nadnotecka Forest, in the west of Poland. The Grey Wolf preys on Red Deer, Roe Deer and sometimes sheep.  

The European Elk (Moose) live mostly in the marshland areas of Poland, but are known to wander far from home. Adults grow to around the size of a small pony and can live for 25 years. They are shy animals, able to swim long distances. More Photos

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Other rare birds to be found in Poland include: White-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Hazel Grouse, Aquatic Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Thrush Nightingale, Great Snipe, Cranes, Black Storks, Golden Eagles and more than 200 other species of nesting birds. 

Full List of birds to be found in Poland

There are 85 species of mammals to be found in Poland, including: Brown Bear, Wild Boar, Alpine Marmots and Chamois Marmots.

Add to this 8 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians, and 55 species of fish, and one can see that Poland is a veritable nature-lovers paradise.

Affordable tailor-made nature tours, canoeing adventure holidays, and farm based vacations, bird watching in Poland for individuals or small groups

If you would like to ask a question related to wildlife in Poland; get advice on where one might see any of the wealth of wildlife to be found here in Central Europe, please feel free to contact us. Poland is an unspoilt and unique country; and makes a great location for anyone looking for a vacation with a difference.

 

 

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