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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.
Copyright � 2004 Krykiet.com
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