Academy of Nature in Roztocze

Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)

Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) is an olive green bird in the finch family, with a yellow tint on the edges of the wings and the base of the tail. The female is grayer with less yellow. The beak is short, wide and strong, adapted to the type of food consumed. It eats mainly the seeds of trees and plants, which are perfectly peeled from the shells. In winter, he eats sunflower and cereal seeds. When he visits the feeder, he does not tolerate other birds and chases them from the feeder. It lives in parks and gardens near human settlements. The nest is mostly founded on spruce. In the past, Greenfinches, just like Goldfinches, were bred by people for their beautiful singing. Today, these birds are less and less observed in feeders in winter, but you can still enjoy their view in Roztocze.

Rough - leggend Buzzard

Rough- leggend Buzzard (Buteo logopus) is a close relative of the common buzzard known to us. This bird of prey nests in the high tundra. He is a short-distance migrant who winters in open areas in Central Europe. In Poland, it sometimes passes by and sometimes it winters. It appears in Roztocze every winter and now it also is. This species is characterized by a large variation in color, similar to other buzzards. Its flight is calmer due to its slightly larger size than the common buzzard. The predominant colors of the feathers are brown, whitish and brown. Usually the back is darker in color, and the tail is always white and ends with a black stripe. The jumps are feathered. The torso of the Rough – legend Buzzard is usually darkest near the abdomen, and also has dark, square-shaped wrist spots. The brightest and most uniform is the head, and above the eye there is a black line "like Cleopatra's". Observation in the field and distinguishing the Rough- leggend Buzzard from the common buzzard is a challenge for birdwachers.

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Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a vanishing, extremely rare bird of prey in Poland. Its broods in the Lublin region were recorded sporadically at the end of the 20th century, mainly in the Łęczyńsko-Włodawskie Lakeland. This bird nests on the ground and this is one of the reasons for its almost complete extinction in Poland. The photo shows a female Hen Harrier that hunts in the field, probably for rodents. As W. Taczanowski writes. 1882. in Domestic Birds. The Hen Harrier lives on the vast plains of Europe and Asia, moves southwards from the northern countries to the wintering area, but does not expel it from the borders of Europe. It is the only harrier out of 4 occurring in Poland that can be seen in Central Europe in winter and it was done in Roztocze. Observation of this extremely rare species of bird of prey in Roztocze is a great joy for bird watchers.

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Goosander (Mergus marganser)

This interesting species of duck nests in hollows or burrows under trees, and sometimes on the ground, always near water. The nest can be even several hundred meters away from the nearest water reservoir. After hatching, the young jump out of the hollow to the ground and are led by their mother to the nearest river. In the summer you can see the mother carrying many of her offspring on the back. Goosanders in Poland are sparse, but for some time their range from Scandinavia has been extending through northern Poland towards the south, mainly along river valleys. The greatest threat to this species is the cutting down of old hollow trees, which is associated with the loss of nesting sites. Predators such as cats, martens, foxes and raven birds are also a significant threat. To prevent this, you can hang special nesting boxes for these birds, which should be properly secured against the entry of predators. Mergansers can be observed every year in Roztocze, mainly in winter in herds, I encourage you to go on field trips (Bird & Car) because observing these interesting birds is a great joy.

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