Sanok - San River

Podkarpackie > Poland

The banks of the 6th-longest river of Poland in Sanok are home to many species of birds. They're especially known for diverse wintering birds communities.

Added* by Hoid
Most recent update 8 ledna 2025

Description

The San is one of the lesser-known rivers of Poland. Yet, it's one of those that haven't been changed and regulated as much as larger and more widely known rivers. It's home to ~30 species of fish (i.e. nase, common barbel, river trout) that provide sufficient diet base for many species of piscivorous birds.

In case of river/water biotope-dependant species, year-round, there can be found many kachna divoká,, racek chechtavý, racek bělohlavý, ledňáček říční, volavka popelavá and volavka bílá. There is a good chance to see some labuť velká, čírka obecná, morčák velký, Slípka zelenonohá, lyska černá, kulík říční, pisík obecný, racek bouřní, rybák obecný, orel mořský, konipas bílý, konipas horský and rákosník zpěvný during spring and summer.

Some species that can be seen time to time or during migrations are: husa velká, čírka modrá, lžičák pestrý, kopřivka obecná, hvízdák eurasijský, ostralka štíhlá, polák velký, polák malý, polák chocholačka, hohol severní, potápka malá, potápka roháč, Chřástal vodní, čejka chocholatá, jespák obecný, bekasina otavní, vodouš kropenatý, vodouš šedý, vodouš bahenní, vodouš rudonohý, rybák černý, rybák bahenní, potáplice malá, potáplice severní, čáp černý, čáp bílý, kormorán velký, bukáček malý, kvakoš noční, orlovec říční, moudivláček lužní and others.

It's worth to note wintering water-assiociated species diversity and numbers, especially in case of morčák velký, hohol severní and labuť velká. Winter is also a great time to seek rare or generally uncommon in the area species, such as polák kaholka, morčák malý, morčák prostřední or loons/divers. Often, mixed groups of swans, ducks, grebes and gulls are found. Some predatory species that can be seen during migrations or flying by are: orlovec říční, včelojed lesní, orel křiklavý, orel skalní, moták pochop, moták pilich, moták lužní, krahujec obecný (also local), jestřáb lesní, luňák hnědý, orel mořský (mainly local), káně rousná, káně lesní, poštolka obecná (also local), poštolka rudonohá, ostříž lesní and sokol stěhovavý. There are also some local puštík obecný and kalous ušatý.

Banks are covered by trees in general, although quite "loosely". These woods are home to many species of passerines and other birds, such as: holub skalní, holub hřivnáč, hrdlička zahradní, kukačka obecná, strakapoud prostřední, strakapoud velký, strakapoud malý, žluna šedá, žluna zelená, datel černý, Žluva hajní, sojka obecná, straka obecná, kavka obecná, vrána šedá, krkavec velký, sýkora uhelníček, sýkora babka, sýkora lužní, sýkora modřinka, sýkora koňadra, sedmihlásek hajní, budníček větší, budníček menší, mlynařík dlouhoocasý, pěnice černohlavá, pěnice pokřovní, králíček obecný, brhlík lesní, šoupálek dlouhoprstý, šoupálek krátkoprstý, střízlík obecný, špaček obecný, drozd zpěvný, kos černý, drozd kvíčala, lejsek šedý, červenka obecná, vrabec domácí, vrabec polní, pěnkava obecná, dlask tlustozobý, zvonek zelený, stehlík obecný and zvonohlík zahradní.

Details

Access

The San River near Sanok is easily accesible from city roads by car, although by foot from the Main Bus/Train Station it's a 20-30 minute walk. There are free car parks near supermarkets (Carrefour, Kaufland), near Rural Architecture Museum of Sanok (there's also a paid one - check first) or near MOSIR Sanok. Main Bus/Train Station can be accessed by buses from many large cities (Warsaw, Cracow, Rzeszów, but also other on long routes) and by trains (mainly from Cracow and Rzeszów).

It's adviced to explore banks of San River by foot - although bike is also an option in this case, even better if you want to scan larger portion of river at once. The river isn't accessible by path in some places - try to follow paths, be careful if going farther - sometimes the terrain can be more muddy/there may be a steep bank part.

Terrain and Habitat

River , Scattered trees and bushes , Park

Conditions

Flat , High water possible

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter

Route

Narrow trail , Unpaved road , Paved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Extra info

There are no species of birds that need to be audio stimulated - please avoid doing so.

Hazards: ticks, muddy terrain, steep bank parts, high water level.

Keep in mind the presence of other people (drivers on roads or car parks, tourists, cyclists, skateboarders, runners, wanderers, dog owners, children, etc.).