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 január 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 Tőkés réce,, Dankasirály, Sztyeppi sirály, Jégmadár, Szürke gém and Nagy kócsag. There is a good chance to see some Bütykös hattyú, Csörgo réce, Nagy bukó, Vízityúk, Szárcsa, Kis lile, billegetőcankó, Viharsirály, Küszvágó csér, Rétisas, barázdabillegető, hegyi billegető and Énekes nádiposzáta during spring and summer.

Some species that can be seen time to time or during migrations are: Nyári lúd, Böjti réce, Kanalas réce, Kendermagos réce, Fütyülő réce, Nyílfarkú réce, Barátréce, Cigányréce, Kontyos réce, Kerceréce, Kis vöcsök, Búbos vöcsök, Guvat, Bíbic, Havasi partfutó, Sárszalonka, Erdei cankó, Szürke cankó, Réti cankó, Piroslábú cankó, kormos szerkő, fattyúszerkő, Északi búvár, Sarki búvár, Fekete gólya, Fehér gólya, Kárókatona, törpegém, Bakcsó, Halászsas, Függőcinege and others.

It's worth to note wintering water-assiociated species diversity and numbers, especially in case of Nagy bukó, Kerceréce and Bütykös hattyú. Winter is also a great time to seek rare or generally uncommon in the area species, such as Hegyi réce, Kis bukó, Örvös bukó 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: Halászsas, Darázsölyv, békászó sas, Szirti sas, Barna rétihéja, Kékes rétihéja, Hamvas rétihéja, Karvaly (also local), Héja, Barna kánya, Rétisas (mainly local), Gatyás ölyv, Egerészölyv, vörös vércse (also local), Kék vércse, Kabasólyom and Vándorsólyom. There are also some local Macskabagoly and Erdei fülesbagoly.

Banks are covered by trees in general, although quite "loosely". These woods are home to many species of passerines and other birds, such as: szirti galamb, Örvös galamb, Balkáni gerle, Kakukk, közép fakopáncs, Nagy fakopáncs, Kis fakopáncs, hamvas küllő, Zöld küllo, Fekete harkály, Sárgarigó, Szajkó, Szarka, Csóka, Dolmányos varjú, Holló, Fenyvescinege, Barátcinege, kormosfejű cinege, Kék cinege, széncinege, Kerti geze, fitiszfüzike, Csilpcsalpfüzike, őszapó, Barátposzáta, kis poszáta, sárgafejű királyka, Csuszka, Hegyi fakusz, Rövidkarmú fakusz, Ökörszem, Seregély, Énekes rigó, fekete rigó, fenyőrigó, Szürke légykapó, Vörösbegy, Házi veréb, Mezei veréb, Erdei pinty, Meggyvágó, Zöldike, tengelic and Csicsörke.

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.).