| Polesie National Park |
 Polesie National Park- more information here and on official site (polish only).The Park is located in Eastern Poland, in the western part of Polesie region which borders with the Lublin Upland in the South, Podlasie region in the North and Mazowsze region in the West. The whole Park spreads across Leczyñsko-Wlodawskie Lakeland which makes up southern part of Polesie Lubelskie. The Park’s area is a substitute of tundra and tundra /forest habitats which reached the most southward and westward places in Europe. Among 21 fish species living in the Park are carp, tench, crucian carp, roach, rudd, Northern pike, perch, eel, and very rare and protected lake minnow. Swamp turtle is the most interesting of 6 reptile species, as the Park’s population of this animal is one of the largest in Europe. Birds are the best researched animal group. Out of 146 species nesting there, 17 are strongly threatened with extinction. Most of the birds are living in marshy and water habitats, and the most important ones include visiting: golden eagles, sea eagles and great spotted eagle and nesting: lesser spotted eagles, cranes, common and green sandpipers, grey lag gooses, eagle owls and black storks. Among 35 mammal species the most interesting are northern birch mouse, bat Nathusius’s pipistrelle, ermine, otter, elk, wolf and recently re-introduced beaver. Western curlew and great snipe are some of unique bird species living in marshes, and the most numerous bird of prey is Montagu’s harrier, whose population in Poland is gradually decreasing. During bird migration, particularly in spring, the peatbogs are an important resting and feeding place for many species of ducks, coot, swans, cranes and waders. |