From Opus

[edit] Overview

Southern Poland, Silesia region. The so called Upper Vistula Valley spaces about 1400sqkms in the southern part of Poland along Vistula (Wisla) river itself, between the Beskidy mountains and Pszczyna Forests.

Although this area have been transformed by people for centuries, a lot of birds breed there.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

At present the valley is widely known as target location for many southern rarities that are observed there quite regularily, as Black-winged Stilt, Eurasian Spoonbill or breeding there Pied Avocet, Purple Heron and Little Bittern.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

To do

[edit] Other Wildlife

To do

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

The Goczalkowice Reservoir and Zatorskie ponds are the most important birds' refuges in southern part of Poland. Goczalkowice Reservoir is the biggest (32sqkms) drinking water reservoir in this part of the country. It has been built in 1955 on the upper Vistula river.

Accordingly to supplying drinking water to a lot of towns nearby, it's strictly protected and there are no swimming, sailing or any other recreation activity allowed, except of birding and limited fishing.

[edit] Areas of Interest

[edit] Zatorskie ponds

Zatorskie ponds, also included within Upper Vistula Valley, are placed near Zator and Spytkowice, between Oswiecim (better known as Auschwitz concentration lager) and Wadowice.

This is one of the best birding destinantion in the area! Full of backwaters and fringed by dense reeds fishponds that space about 3000sqkms in total.

[edit] Access and Facilities

Currently water level of the Goczalkowice Reservoir is very low, so usualy there are vast, widely open muddy plains, that provide excellent terms for migrating birds. The best parts of this reservoir suitable for birding are its western and southern banks.

[edit] Contact Details

To do

[edit] External Links

More details at Bird Guides Content and images originally posted by valdi99