The inventory and monitoring of birds in Polish Carpathia – project by the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds

Project information:

• Project: Survey of the key bird species of the Polish Carpathian Mountains and creating the system of their monitoring and protection
• Beneficiary: The Polish Society for the Protection of Birds
• Swiss partner: SVS Bird Life Schweiz
• Priority area: Biodiversity
• Voivodeship: podkarpackie
• Grant amount: CHF 1 070 000
• Co-financing amount: CHF 118 889
• Project physical duration: 01.05.2011 - 30.09.2016  

Results achieved:

1. preparation of strategic documents for the 12 selected Carpathian communes describing trends of development based on the natural values of the region,
2. in the on-line database of the project titled “Carpathians Birds” data on more than 40 000 observations of birds were collected,
3. an electronic version of the book "Nature of the Polish Carpathians. Tourist guide".

Soaring inhabitants of the Carpathians

A lot of people can name just a few, the most common species of birds. Meanwhile, in the Polish forests there are many more of them. The Polish Society for the Protection of Birds came up with an idea to take a closer look at their habits, condition and to identify those factors which may threaten them. Therefore, in 2011 the „Birds of the Carpathians” project was started with a view to checking what species lived in the Polish part of the Carpathians and how we could help them.   

The initial activities were focused on taking an inventory of species of birds. In addition to the field work, each amateur ornithologist was also allowed to join the project, thanks to the launch of a special application on the website where it was possible to share observations. On the basis of these results, decisions have been made on the protection of specific species and the selection of activities that would effectively improve their condition. The Protective Task Plans (guidelines for the preservation of the good environmental status, in which birds will be able to grow) have been developed, also the boundaries of the protected areas Natura 2000 have been updated. Together with the inventory of species, a network of volunteers, who joined the monitoring of natural resources in the Carpathians, has been built.

In addition to the field activities, also many training courses were organised, for local farmers, foresters and inhabitants, to make them aware how important it was to preserve the natural diversity in the Carpathians and to teach them how to pursue day-to-day activity without damage to the environment. Through discussions and meetings, the interests of the various social groups were successfully combined, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.

The project not only helped protect various species of birds, but also became a good measure of the environmental status. In fact, birds are this link which as the first suffers from adverse impacts associated, inter alia, with pollution, improper protection or exploitation of forests.

Content based on the text written by Agata Motyl.

(source: archive of the beneficiary and Ministry of Economic Development)