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 siječnja 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 Divlja Patka,, Riječni Galeb, Galeb Klaukavac, Vodomar, Siva Čaplja and Velika Bijela Čaplja. There is a good chance to see some Crvenokljuni Labud, Kržulja, Veliki ronac, Mlakuša, Liska, Kulik Sljepčić, Mala Prutka, Burni Galeb, Crvenokljuna Čigra, Štekavac, Bijela Pastirica, Gorska Pastirica and Trstenjak Mlakar during spring and summer.

Some species that can be seen time to time or during migrations are: Siva Guska, Patka Pupčanica, Patka Žličarka, Patka Kreketaljka, Zviždara, Patka Lastarka, Glavata Patka, Patka Njorka, Krunata Patka, Patka Batoglavica, Mali Gnjurac, Ćubasti Gnjurac, Kokošica, Vivak, Žalar Cirikavac, Šljuka Kokošica, Crnokrila Prutka, Krivokljuna Prutka, Prutka Migavica, Crvenonoga Prutka, Crna Čigra, Bjelobrada Čigra, Crvenogrli Plijenor, Crnogrli Plijenor, Crna Roda, Bijela roda, Veliki Vranac, Čapljica Voljak, Gak, Bukoč, Sjenica Mošnjarka and others.

It's worth to note wintering water-assiociated species diversity and numbers, especially in case of Veliki ronac, Patka Batoglavica and Crvenokljuni Labud. Winter is also a great time to seek rare or generally uncommon in the area species, such as Patka crninka, Bijeli ronac, Mali ronac 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: Bukoč, Škanjac osaš, Orao Kliktaš, Suri orao, Eja Močvarica, Eja Strnjarica, Eja Livadarka, Kobac (also local), Jastreb, Crna lunja, Štekavac (mainly local), Škanjac gaćaš, Škanjac, Vjetruša (also local), Crvenonoga Vjetruša, Sokol Lastavičar and Sivi Sokol. There are also some local Šumska sova and Mala Ušara.

Banks are covered by trees in general, although quite "loosely". These woods are home to many species of passerines and other birds, such as: Divlji Golub, Golub Grivnjaš, Gugutka, Kukavica, Crvenoglavi djetlić, Veliki Djetlić, Mali djetao, Siva žuna, Zelena žuna, Crna žuna, Vuga, Šojka, Svraka, Čavka, Siva vrana, Gavran, Jelova sjenica, Crnoglava sjenica, Planinska sjenica, Plavetna Sjenica, Velika Sjenica, Žuti Voljić, Brezov Zviždak, Zviždak, Dugorepa Sjenica, Crnokapa Grmuša, Grmuša čevrljinka, Zlatoglavi Kraljić, Brgljez, Kratkokljuni puzavac, Kratkoprsti puzavac, Palčić, Čvorak, Drozd Cikelj, Kos, Drozd Bravenjak, Muharica, Crvendać, Vrabac, Poljski Vrabac, Zeba, Batokljun, Zelendur, Češljugar and Žutarica.

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.).