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 јануари 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 Дива патка,, езерски галеб, касписки галеб, рибарче, сива чапја and голема бела чапја. There is a good chance to see some црвеноклун лебед, патка берија, голем северен нуркач, зеленонога блатна кокошка, црна лиска, мал пескар, речна тринга, обичен галеб, речна чигра, белоопашест орел, бела тресиопашка, планинска тресиопашка and блатен трскар during spring and summer.

Some species that can be seen time to time or during migrations are: дива гуска, патка крецка, патка лажичарка, сива патка, патка свиркач, патка ластовичарка, црвеноглав кожувар, црн кожувар, цуцулест кожувар, четириока патка, мал нуркач, цуцулест нуркач, барска кокошка, калуѓерка, обичен свиркач, обична бекасина, шарена тринга, зеленонога тринга, шумска тринга, црвенонога тринга, црна рибарка, белобрада рибарка, мал морски нуркач, белец, црн штрк, штрк, голем корморан, Мал воден бик, ноќна чапја, орел рибар, сипка торбарка and others.

It's worth to note wintering water-assiociated species diversity and numbers, especially in case of голем северен нуркач, четириока патка and црвеноклун лебед. Winter is also a great time to seek rare or generally uncommon in the area species, such as морски кожувар, бел нуркач, среден северен нуркач 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: орел рибар, осојад, мал орел кликач, златен орел, блатна еја, Полска еја, ливадска еја, јастреб врапчар (also local), јастреб кокошкар, црна луња, белоопашест орел (mainly local), гаќест глувчар, глувчар, Обична (Црнонокна) ветрушка (also local), сина ветрушка, сокол ластовичар and сив сокол. There are also some local Шумски (Обичен) був and ушест був.

Banks are covered by trees in general, although quite "loosely". These woods are home to many species of passerines and other birds, such as: див гулаб, гулаб гурмиш, гугутка, кукавица, среден клукајдрвец, голем клукајдрвец, мал клукајдрвец, сивоглав клукајдрвец, зелен клукајдрвец, црн клукајдрвец, саријазма, сојка, страчка, чавка, Пепелава врана, гавран, елова сипка, мала црноглава сипка, планинска сипка, сина сипка, Голема сипка, жолто гушанче, брезов свиркач, обичен свиркач, дологоопашеста сипка, црноглаво грмушарче, Lesser Whitethroat, жолтоглаво кралче, Обичен (Шумски) лазач, обичен ползач, краткопрст ползач, царче, обичен сколовранец, дрозд пејач, ќос, дрозд боровинкар, сиво муварче, црвеногушка, домашно врапче, полско врапче, обична ѕвингалка, дебелоклун црешар, обична зелентарка, билбилче and жолтарче.

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.).