Bialowieza Primeval Forest
Orientation in the area
The Białowieża Forest (about 1500 square km) lies right on the border
between Poland and Belarus. Polish part of the forest covers about 600 square
km.
The western part of Białowieza Forest is situated in the north -
eastern Poland in the voivodeship podlaskie. Right in the heart of Bialowieza
Forest is the Białowieża National Park and the village of the same name –
Białowieża.
The high degree of naturalness of the habitats of the Białowieża
Forest makes today that this forest
is the only "window" into the past of the European nature. This continent was
covered by such forests approximately a thousand years ago before spread our
civilization.
Białowieża National Park covers 105 square km. This is
only one-sixth of the entire Polish part of Białowieża Forest, what means that
most of the Forest is still not sufficiently protected! Many efforts are
undertaken to preserve all the area of Białowieza Forest under protection
Białowieża National Park.
The forest area outside
Białowieża National Park is in the State Forestry administration -The
Bialowieza Forest Promotional Forest Complex. Because of unique nature habitat of the
whole forest there are here other forms protection for example the numerous
natural reserves, monumental trees, Nature 2000.
The entire Polish part of the Białowieża Forest is recognized by
UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. But only the oldest part of the Białowieża
National Park is honored by the UNESCO of The World Heritage Site!!!
What you can see?
What you can see in Białowieza Forest, mainly depend from the
time when you can choose visiting us. There are clear seasonal changes visible
in the nature because of geographical localization of this deciduous forest. It
means that each visit this wildlife could be totally different.
If you want to see big mammals in their natural habitat; European
bison, Red deer, Wild boar, Elk, Roe deer - choose winter.
There are 59 species mammals here, between them 12 species predators even such as
the wolf, lynx! All of the animals in the forest are very watchful because of constant
activity of their natural enemies. That is why the animal observation in their
natural habitat is not easy but it is very exciting indeed.
This unique forest is the only place where you can find all species
European woodpeckers! Białowieza Forest is even called the kingdom of
woodpeckers. Typical for natural forest Three-toed woodpecker, White-backed
woodpecker you can try to see here all year round. All year also you can try to
see Pygmy Owl (the smallest owl in
Europe ) The best season for bird – watching of course is spring time. In whole
Białowieza Forest about 250 species birds were observed! In spring you can
see birds that return to the
Białowieza Forest from migrations; for example such species birds as Wryneck, Golden Oriole, Corncrake, Lesser Spotted Eagle, 4
species Flycatchers and many different… If you like amphibians, the spring forest is also for you. There
are 10 species currently confirmed
here: tree frog, spadefoot, common toad, green toad and common frog, moor, 2
species of green frogs and 2 species of newts: wheat and crested.
In summer you can admire here very dense and shadowy forest full in
herbs and ferns. Autumn is the best to see how nature prepared to the
winter dream. In September in Białowieza you can admire deer rut. The mating season of Red deer
is very spectacular In October you
can enjoy yourself here real golden Polish autumn!
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