Academy of Nature in Roztocze

The Corn Bunting is a bird slightly larger than the Yellowhammer, which has inconspicuous gray-brown plumage and a strong beak. He usually sits on an elevated place (bush or tree) and sings his scratchy song. It is a migratory species, although there are sedentary specimens, then it can be found in large herds in winter. The Corn Bunting is a characteristic bird of the agricultural landscape, inhabiting fields, meadows, pastures, clumps of bushes, wastelands and the edges of gardens and orchards. The greatest threats to this species include: cutting of trees and shrubs in the field, land consolidation, copper leveling, and the use of plant protection products. Let us care for the nature of Roztocze in the countryside, you will still be able to observe these birds in their natural environment.

The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is the most recognizable bird that appears in the spring by its voice. He comes back to us from Africa at the beginning of May and immediately calls loudly. The Cuckoo does not build its own nests, but is a breeding parasite. The female throws her eggs into the nests of smaller passerine birds. Each female lays one egg to the species' nest whose eggs are similar to her own. These are most often nests of pipit, wagtail, warbler, red-backed sand and reeds. After hatching, the cuckoo chick removes other eggs or chicks from the nest and is fed by its adoptive parents. When it grows up, it is several times bigger than its adoptive parents. She returns to Africa alone, but without any mistakes she returns to the lair the next year and practices the same practice as her genetic parents - throwing her eggs into the nests of other birds.

The Wryneck is one of the 10 woodpeckers occurring in Poland. It is the only woodpecker that does not forge a hollow by itself, but only uses those prepared by other birds, especially woodpeckers. The name of Wryneck comes from the peculiar habit of making snake-like movements of the head and neck to scare off an intruder. The Wryneck is hibernating in Africa and has now returned to its breeding ground and is starting its mating season. His high-pitched, whining voice can be heard from afar and is easy to recognize. On the other hand, it is very difficult to see Wryneck, because its plumage color perfectly blends with the bark of the trees on which it sits. It feeds on ants and insects that it collects from soil or trees. The observation of this masked woodpecker-Wryneck is a great surprise for birdwatchers.

The Skylark (Alauda arvensis) in Poland is a harbinger of spring. It appears in fields, meadows and fallow lands, sometimes in February. He sings loudly and persistently in flight, very high above the ground. It is easy to hear but harder to see because its plumage is masking. This is due to the fact that its nest is hidden on the ground in low and lush vegetation. The male and female appear similar. They have a delicate tip on their head. Females are slightly smaller than males. Skylarks are an effective tool in the fight against all kinds of pests that damage farmland. They also evoke good associations due to the fantastic singing in early spring. Skylarks depart for winter in September, but there are cases of wintering Skylarks in Poland, mainly in stubble and meadows.