Description
The Wielikąt Fishponds were protected in 1993 as the Wieliangle Nature and Landscape Complex. It is an international bird sanctuary (IBA). Natura 2000 special protection area for birds ("Stawy Wielikąt i Las Tworkowski" PLB240003). Currently, the complex consists of 9 larger and several smaller ponds in the area of 400 ha. The largest pond has an area of over 40 hectares. Most of the ponds have banks covered with a belt of reeds. Dikes, as well as access roads to the pond complex, are overgrown with old, often monumental trees.
Species of birds characteristic of the area are голем воден бик, голема бела чапја,, црн штрк, штрк and жолтоклун лебед. The area meets the criteria of a refuge of European importance due to the high breeding population of Мал воден бик. The number of 10 pairs on the ponds makes the Wieliką Ponds one of the 10 most important places of occurrence of this species in Poland. Apart from the Мал воден бик, at least 19 other species have been found in the refuge. The most typical are the белоопашест орел (1 pair) and Синогушка (5-10 pairs).
The Ponds of Wieliangle are also the most numerous and the most permanent place of occurrence of патка превез in Poland. Since the 1980s, breeding of several pairs of these rare ducks has been found here almost every year. The described area is also an important resting place for migrating charadriiformes. For example, up to 1,200 златно блатарче and up to 220 бојник were found here.
Details
Access
The pond complex is situated west of the town of Syrynia close to the river Odra. Exploration of the area is best on foot. Click on a P in the map for directions.
