nature

Czapla biala

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

The Great Egret is a species commonly found in the Lower Oder Valley, it occurs throughout the year, although it reaches its greatest numbers during its autumn migration and sometimes even wintering.

So far, no nesting of the Great Egret has been found in the Lower Oder Valley. 

However, it is one of the species increasing its numbers in Poland and Europe. As a result of climate change, it colonizes new areas. Its expansion towards the north-west has caused it to breed in many regions of Poland, especially in the east. So we are waiting for it to nest in the Lower Oder Valley.

phot. Piotr Piznal

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)

The Black Tern is the flagship species of the Lower Odra Valley area. The largest population lives in Międzyodrze, over 100 pairs nest here every year, which is a large percentage of the national and European population. About 400 pairs of this species nest in the entire Lower Odra Valley, including its German part. This is up to 10% of the Polish population and up to 25% of the German population and up to 4% of the entire population of the European Union.

At the same time, the Black Tern is an endangered species, it is on the Polish red list of birds. Therefore, the area of the Lower Odra Valley, and Międzyodrze in particular, is a refuge where this species has a chance to survive.

phot. Piotr Chara

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Sedge Warbler is one of the most numerous bird species nesting in Międzyodrze, it is estimated that in 2013 over 5,000 pairs were nested in this area.

The pre-war ornithologist Paul Robien wrote that in those times in Międzyodrze, the Aquatic Warbler, closely related to the Sedge Warbler (now extinct in west Poland), was more numerous than the Sedge Warbler. Therefore, the Aquatic Warbler must have been one of the most numerous birds in Międzyodrze a few decades ago.

Today, the Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) is one of Europe’s most endangered migratory passerine birds. Its western population, the remnants of which nestled until recently in the Lower Odra Valley, has unfortunately already died out. This situation clearly shows how quickly, within a few decades, we humans can lead to the annihilation of entire populations and even species.

phot. Dominik Marchowski

Nature of the Lower Odra Valley

Międzyodrze is an extensive fluviogenic peat bog, in which water stagnating in the ground comes from periodic flooding of river waters. The entire area is cut by a dense network of oxbow lakes, lakes and more or less unobstructed canals and ditches, with vegetation not found at the mouths of rivers in this part of the continent. Research conducted in this area in the last 30 years has confirmed the extraordinary natural values of this area, which deserve the highest form of protection in the form of a national park. The flora of the future national park has at least 436 species, including many species that are legally protected and threatened. Valuable natural habitats are riparian forests and riverside herbaceous plants. A distinguishing element is the vegetation of the waters, with such species as:

Fringed Water Lily (Nymphoides peltata), Water caltrop (Trapa natans) and Floating Fern (Salvinia natans).

Botanists point to the highly natural character of the vegetation of Międzyodrze and point to the huge role of this area in protecting threatened and endangered species of vegetation.

 

The fauna of Międzyodrze is very rich, especially the avifauna: about 220 species of birds have been recorded here, including 125 breeding ones. 21 species from the “Red List of Birds of Poland” were found to breed here. For many species in Międzyodrze, there are key populations on a Polish scale, this applies to: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Garganey Shoveler, bittern, marsh harrier, water warbler, spotted green fox, grasshopper, Black Tern, Common Nightingale, Bluethroat and Savi’s Warbler. 

The postulated national park is also part of an Important Bird Area of International Importance, an important migration corridor, a resting place and a wintering site for geese, ducks and cranes. 

An important group of animals in Międzyodrze are mammals, including 8 species of bats. The flagship species of Międzyodrze waters are the Beaver and the Otter. In recent years, deer have appeared in the area, and in 2022, wolf breeding was recorded for the first time. 

Herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) is represented by 16 species, with the largest population of the Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) in Pomerania. 46 species of fish and river lamprey have been found in the waters of Międzyodrze. The planned national park is also a rich habitat for invertebrate fauna, with at least 145 species.

Teal (Anas crecca), phot. P. Chara
Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus), phot. P. Chara
Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), phot. P. Chara
Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus), phot. P. Chara
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena), phot. P. Chara