Academy of Nature in Roztocze

The Great Tit (Parus major) is one of the six most abundant tits in Poland (apart from Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Willow Tit and Marsh Tit), not counting the Azure Tit occasionally flying to Poland from the Far East. The Great Tit is the most recognizable bird in Poland, because it inhabits parks, gardens, plots of land, housing estates in cities, and often visits feeders. In winter, it forms herds with other tits, sometimes long-tailed birds or sparrows. In summer it eats insects, but in winter its favorite food is seeds, especially sunflower seeds (unshelled) and lard. The great tit can eat as much as it weighs, and the fats contained in the food allow it to survive the long and cold periods of winter. Today it is worth thinking about building or buying a feeder and about the right food for these beautiful birds. Watching the birds at the feeder is an extraordinary joy that each of us can provide for ourselves by feeding them properly.

The buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a partially migratory bird of prey most abundantly in Poland. At present, some buzzards have departed towards Africa, while others are hibernating with those that came to Roztocze from Northern Europe. An interesting phenomenon in buzzards is the changeability of coloration. Depending on the variety, the buzzard is colored from light cream to dark brown. There are, however, two extreme color forms: dark brown and lighter with a darker top of the body and a whitish underside with brown spots, and a number of intermediate ones. The brighter form of the buzzard can be confused with another species - Rough-leggend Buzzard, which can be found in Roztocze in winter. The observation of changeably colored buzzards and their recognition among other birds of prey is an extremely exciting activity and it is best to do it in the company of experienced observers.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a bird of the countryside with a contrasting color. In the fall, flocks of these birds fly in a wavy flight, chattering happily. Goldfinches love the seeds of burdock and the various thistles they pick from their baskets. It is not without reason that their Latin name is associated with the generic name Carduus - plants from the Asteraceae family, to which thistles belong. The male goldfinch has a slightly longer beak than the female, thanks to which it can select seeds located in the deeper layers of the thistle. The female, on the other hand, usually benefits from seeds growing on the surface. Food specialization means that individuals of different sexes do not compete for food with each other. The mosaic of fields in Roztocze, which are divided by weeded balks, creates an ideal food base for these birds and a shelter for many other species of animals.

Jay (Garrulus glandarius) - a watchful and timid bird known to all. He can warn other animals of impending danger. In autumn, she eats a lot of acorns and hides a lot of them in various places in the forest, stocking up for the winter - hence the long name of the acorn. However, not all acorns are found by jays in winter and young trees sprout from them in spring. This is how jays plant valuable oak forests and create mixed forests. Now is an opportunity to observe these cunning raven birds.