Republic of Birds, Poland
| country: | Poland |
| location: | Republic of Birds |
introduction to Republic of Birds, Poland
Why should you visit?
Nestled away in the Warta Mouth National Park lies Poland's Republic of Birds. This special bird sanctuary draws visitors throughout the year due to the great number of birds that make the park their home at various times throughout the year. The park itself is vast, with rolling meadows, grasslands and the Warta River carving its way through the nearly 8,100-ha area. The fundamental reason why the Warta Mouth National Park was created was to protect the unique wetland habitats crucial for water and wading birds. Over 270 bird species have been observed in the region to date. For avid birdwatchers, a trip to the Republic of Birds is a must.
What can you do here?
Bird-watching is the main attraction in the park. Each year, the park designates its bird of the year, which is chosen among the many rare and endangered species of birds living in the protected zone. Birds chosen in the last few years include the Barn Owl (2008) and the Lapwing (2009). For tourists, there is a designated "Bird Route" trail (Betonka) that leads through some of the most interesting breeding and resting zones of waterfowl and wading birds in the park. Besides being a refuge for birds, the park also draws visitors looking for adventure. There are a number of biking, walking and canoeing trails. One such trail, in the northern part of the park, is a 32-km bike route that mean-ders through some of the park's most lush and spectacular landscape areas.
What makes the Republic of Birds special?
While the region is best known for bird-watching, the park is also a dedicated member of the Nature 2000 Network. The Landscape Park is a significant protected area that lies on the lower section of the Warta River Valley and the middle section of the Oder River. Vast amounts of flora grow near the wetlands, making it a worthwhile site to visit in the spring and summer. The Warta River Mouth area is also a region of great cultural and historical significance. Many kingdoms once battled over these lands including, the Knights of Saint John and King Frederic the Great of Prussia. Ultimately, Frederic the Great was imprisoned in the Kostrzyn Fortress in the 18th century.
What makes it sustainable?
The park has undergone a facelift in the past years making it more tourist-friendly. Large, eco-friendly viewing towers and observation areas were constructed to allow visitors to get "up close" to the action. Planners and builders took proper precautions to not disrupt wildlife, while making the entire experience more enjoyable for everyone. Since the park is easily accessible by train and only 70 kilometres from Berlin, measures have been taken to maintain its popularity, while keeping it a place to relax in peace and tranquillity.
What to look for in:
Spring: Spectacular concerts of birds Summer: Fantastic flora filling the grass fields Fall: European Bird Day excursions Winter: Migrating and wintering birds taking shelter
Highlights of the Republic of Birds
Vote in the "Miss Cow" and “Bird of the Year” elections Celebrate King Frederic the Great Relax to the gentle flow of running river water
Nestled away in the Warta Mouth National Park lies Poland's Republic of Birds. This special bird sanctuary draws visitors throughout the year due to the great number of birds that make the park their home at various times throughout the year. The park itself is vast, with rolling meadows, grasslands and the Warta River carving its way through the nearly 8,100-ha area. The fundamental reason why the Warta Mouth National Park was created was to protect the unique wetland habitats crucial for water and wading birds. Over 270 bird species have been observed in the region to date. For avid birdwatchers, a trip to the Republic of Birds is a must.
What can you do here? Bird-watching is the main attraction in the park. Each year, the park designates its bird of the year, which is chosen among the many rare and endangered species of birds living in the protected zone. Birds chosen in the last few years include the Barn Owl (2008) and the Lapwing (2009). For tourists, there is a designated "Bird Route" trail (Betonka) that leads through some of the most interesting breeding and resting zones of waterfowl and wading birds in the park. Besides being a refuge for birds, the park also draws visitors looking for adventure. There are a number of biking, walking and canoeing trails. One such trail, in the northern part of the park, is a 32-km bike route that mean-ders through some of the park's most lush and spectacular landscape areas.
What makes the Republic of Birds special?
While the region is best known for bird-watching, the park is also a dedicated member of the Nature 2000 Network. The Landscape Park is a significant protected area that lies on the lower section of the Warta River Valley and the middle section of the Oder River. Vast amounts of flora grow near the wetlands, making it a worthwhile site to visit in the spring and summer. The Warta River Mouth area is also a region of great cultural and historical significance. Many kingdoms once battled over these lands including, the Knights of Saint John and King Frederic the Great of Prussia. Ultimately, Frederic the Great was imprisoned in the Kostrzyn Fortress in the 18th century.
What makes it sustainable?
The park has undergone a facelift in the past years making it more tourist-friendly. Large, eco-friendly viewing towers and observation areas were constructed to allow visitors to get "up close" to the action. Planners and builders took proper precautions to not disrupt wildlife, while making the entire experience more enjoyable for everyone. Since the park is easily accessible by train and only 70 kilometres from Berlin, measures have been taken to maintain its popularity, while keeping it a place to relax in peace and tranquillity.
What to look for in:
Highlights of the Republic of Birds how this holiday makes a difference
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Have you ever sat at your desk during a busy work day and felt your mind drift off to another place? That special spot on Monday was a beach some-where in the Mediterranean. A few days later your mind ventured to a castle on top of a hillside. The experience was so vivid that you could almost smell the fresh mountain air.
Each day the clock ticks and you yearn for a holiday free of the hustle and bustle of city life. You want a destination that is known for its local charm, its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. A place where the locals respect their land and will do anything to protect it from harm. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, in Europe, the possibilities are endless. The European Commission launched the European Destinations of Excel-lence (EDEN) a few years back with the aim of selecting special places "off the beaten path" that value economic, environmental and social sustainabil-ity. The 52 places chosen so far all represent Europe in a fitting manner. Europe is a continent of great history and lands. The continent's mystique draws tourists from around the world in search of adventure, paradise and culture. While there are many wonderful destinations in Europe, the truth is, many of them have lost their allure due to expansive tourism and a lack of regard for the environment. No longer can a region's name alone be enough to draw visitors to their majestic mountains or pristine beaches. There must be more and the European Commission has devoted numerous resources to instill the mind-set of sustainable tourism in its regions. Sustainable tourism is a practice that must run deep in the values of the local people. Whenever new accommodation is built and man-made changes are made to the landscape, eco-friendly and environmental measures must be followed. A constant respect for nature is needed to ensure that today's crea-tures and eco-systems are still around in the distant future. Sustainable tourism also plays a major role in a region's local economy. The growth of an area leads to more jobs and helps raise the quality of living in a region. The local people also take advantage of visitors eating at their restaurants, shopping at their markets and staying at their hotels. It is essential that proper investment in tourism growth has the people's best interests in mind.  The next time you go on a memorable holiday to the countryside and enjoy a bottle of the Earth's precious wine, take notice of the land and its people. These 52 selected EDEN "hidden gems" all have done their part in making their region a wonderful and memorable place to visit. Now it's up to you to decide which adventure you want to seek! |
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