32. Słońsk

MOTIVES:

1. Number and codes of habitats (HD I): 4 (3250, 6430, 6510, 91D0)
2. Bird species (BD): 15
3. Animal species: 3.

AREA:

SPA

LOCATION:

The area in the confluence of the of the Warta river, between Kostrzyn and Słońsk.

AREA:

Totally - approximately 6100 ha.

DESCRIPTION:

One of the most valuable wetland in the Odra valley. Due to its high ornithological value, the area has been reported for protection within RAMSAR convention, and treated as important bird area of the European rank (E-IBA Poland 039). It takes in over 6000 ha. of flood waters, reed and large sedge communities with a dense grid of watercourses, channels and small eutrophic lakes (oxbow lakes), partly overgrown with willow brush and regenerative stages of swamp alder woods. The area often stays flooded (even for 7-8 months a year); during dryer periods - the pastures and meadows are utilised by local communities. Phytosociological researches have prooved the occurence of 21 plant communities.

HABITATS:

Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis), reed communities (Phragmition) and sedges (Magnocaricion), swamp alder woods, gray willow scrub from the class Alnetea glutinosae.

BIRDS (BD):

Botaurus stellaris* (4-7 pairs), Ixobrychus minutus* (0-6 pairs), Ciconia nigra (feeding ground, sometimes nesting), Milvus milvus (0-1 couple), Haliaeetus albicilla (0-1 couple), Circus aeruginosus* (10-40 pairs), Circus pygargus (0-1 couple), Porzana porzana (10-20 pairs), Crex crex (2-30 pairs), Grus grus (regularly, but not always in riverine forests), Philomachus pugnax (10-30 pairs) Sterna hirundo (6-180 pairs), Chelidonias hybridus, Acrocephalus paludicola (0-50 pairs). Moreover, a very important bird area for waterfowls both in summer, during passages (concentrations of up to 250 thousands of birds have been reported), and in winter. More than 250 species, including 170 breeding, have been noticed.

THE RED BOOK:

Phalacrocorax carbo (cat. O),

FISH:

Misgurnus fossilis (KB II), Barbus barbus (HD V). Silurus glanis (KB III).

COMMENTS:

A part of the sanctuary area (4244,34 ha., approximately 1100 ha. of which is strictly protected) protected as fauna nature reserve "Słońsk" (1977). The area is considered as a core for the development of a national park (in project), so far protected as Landscape Park "Ujście Warty" (The Mouth of Warta) of area 28 400 ha. (1996).

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