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 Ocak 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 Yeşilbaş,, Karabağ martı, Gümüş martı, Yalıçapkını, Gri balýkçýl and Büyük ak balýkçýl. There is a good chance to see some Kuğu, Çamurcun, Büyük tarakdiş, Sutavuðu, Sakarmeke, Küçük halkalı cılıbıt, Dere düdükçünü, Küçük gümüþ martý, Sumru, Akkuyruklu kartal, Ak kuyruksallayan, Dağ kuyruksallayanı and Çalı kamışçını during spring and summer.

Some species that can be seen time to time or during migrations are: Boz kaz, Çıkrıkçın, Kaşıkgaga, Boz ördek, Fiyu, Kilkuyruk, Elmabaş patka, Pasbaş Patka, Tepeli patka, Altıngöz, Küçük batağan, Bahri, Su kılavuzu, Kızkuşu, Karakarınlı kumkuşu, Su çulluğu, Yeşil düdükçün, Yeşilbacak, Orman düdükçünü, Kızılbacak, Kara sumru, Bıyıklı Sumru, Kýzýlgerdanlý dalgýç, Karagerdanlý dalgýç, Kara leylek, Leylek, Karabatak, Küçük balaban, Gece Balikçili, Balık kartalı, Çulhakuşu and others.

It's worth to note wintering water-assiociated species diversity and numbers, especially in case of Büyük tarakdiş, Altıngöz and Kuğu. Winter is also a great time to seek rare or generally uncommon in the area species, such as Karabaş patka, Sütlabi, Tarakdiş 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: Balık kartalı, Arı Şahini, Küçük Orman Kartalı, Kaya kartalý, Saz delicesi, Gökçe delice, Çayır delicesi, Atmaca (also local), Çakýr, Kara çaylak, Akkuyruklu kartal (mainly local), Paçalı şahin, Şahin, Kerkenez (also local), Ala doğan, Delice doğan and Gök doðan. There are also some local Alaca Baykuş and Kulaklı orman baykuşu.

Banks are covered by trees in general, although quite "loosely". These woods are home to many species of passerines and other birds, such as: Kaya güvercini, Tahtalı, Kumru, Guguk, Ortanca Ağaçkakan, Orman alaca ağaçkakanı, Küçük ağaçkakan, Küçük yeşil ağaçkakan, Yeşil Ağaçkakan, Kara ağaçkakan, Sarıasma, Alakarga, Saksağan, Küçük karga, Leş kargası, Kuzgun, Çam baştankarası, Kayın Baştankarası, dağ baştankarası, Mavi Baştankara, Büyük baþtankara, Sarı mukallit, Söğütbülbülü, Çıvgın, Uzunkuyruklu baştankara, Karabağlı ötleğen, Küçük Ak Gerdanlı Ötleğen, Çalıkuşu, Sıvacı, Orman tırmaşıkkuşu, Bahçe Tırmaşıkkuşu, Çitkuşu, Sığırcık, Öter ardıç, Karatavuk, Tarla ardıcı, Benekli sinekkapan, Kızılgerdan, Serçe, Ağaç serçesi, İspinoz, Kocabaş, Florya, Saka and Küçük iskete.

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.).