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 kačica divá,, čajka smejivá, čajka bielohlavá, rybárik riečny, volavka popolavá and beluša veľká. There is a good chance to see some labuť veľká, kačica chrapka, potápač veľký, sliepočka vodná, lyska čierna, kulík riečný, kalužiačik malý, čajka sivá, rybár riečny, orliak morský, trasochvost biely, trasochvost horský and trsteniarik obyčajný during spring and summer.

Some species that can be seen time to time or during migrations are: hus divá, kačica chrapačka, kačica lyžičiarka, kačica chripľavka, kačica hvizdárka, kačica ostrochvostá, chochlačka sivá, chochlačka bielooká, chochlačka vrkočatá, hlaholka severská, potápka malá, potápka chochlatá, chriašteľ vodný, cibík chochlatý, pobrežník čiernozobý, močiarnica mekotavá, kalužiak perlavý, kalužiak sivý, kalužiak močiarny, kalužiak červenonohý, čorík čierny, čorík bahenný, potáplica malá, potáplica stredná, bocian čierny, bocian biely, kormorán veľký, bučiačik močiarny, chavkoš nočný, kršiak rybár, kúdeľníčka lužná and others.

It's worth to note wintering water-assiociated species diversity and numbers, especially in case of potápač veľký, hlaholka severská and labuť veľká. Winter is also a great time to seek rare or generally uncommon in the area species, such as chochlačka morská, potápač malý, potápač prostredný 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: kršiak rybár, Včelár lesný, orol krikľavý, orol skalný, kaňa močiarna, kaňa sivá, kaňa popolavá, jastrab krahulec (also local), jastrab veľký, haja tmavá, orliak morský (mainly local), myšiak severský, myšiak hôrny, sokol myšiar (pustovka) (also local), sokol kobcovitý, sokol lastovičiar and sokol sťahovavý. There are also some local sova lesná and myšiarka ušatá.

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 divý, holub hrivnák, hrdlička záhradná, kukučka obyčajná, ďateľ prostredný, ďateľ veľký, ďateľ malý, žlna sivá, žlna zelená, tesár čierny, vlha obyčajná, sojka obyčajná, straka čiernozobá, kavka tmavá, vrana popolavá, krkavec čierny, sýkorka uhliarka, sýkorka hôrna, sýkorka čiernohlavá, sýkorka belasá, sýkorka veľká, sedmihlások hájový, kolibiarik spevavý, kolibiarik čipčavý, mlynárka dlhochvostá, penica čiernohlavá, penica popolavá, králik zlatohlavý, brhlík obyčajný, kôrovník dlhoprstý, kôrovník krátkoprstý, oriešok obyčajný, škorec obyčajný, drozd plavý, drozd čierny, drozd čvíkota, muchár sivý, červienka obyčajná, vrabec domový, vrabec poľný, pinka obyčajná, glezg obyčajný, zelienka obyčajná, stehlík obyčajný and kanárik poľný.

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.).