Ornithological cruises in Masuria – stories about water birds

How to watch birds on Masurian lakes? As part of the Masurian Green Lessons project, young people from the Giżycko and Mrągowo areas had the opportunity to learn the secrets of observing local wildlife. The ornithological cruises ended in October, but the organizers have announced their continuation.

Masurian Green Lessons – nature, water and sustainable development

The project was carried out by the Foundation for the Protection of the Great Masurian Lakes (FOWJM) and the Masurian Center for Ecological Education thanks to a grant from the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Olsztyn. In total, Masurian Green Lessons attracted more than 700 participants – students from local primary and secondary schools. In addition to the ornithological cruises, young people also took part in workshops held in forest complexes, parks and nature reserves.

Education on board the ships Osjan, Posejdon and Olimpia was led by Krzysztof Pawlukojć – a Giżycko native, experienced ornithologist, nature enthusiast, founder of the Association of Masurian Nature Lovers and a member of OTOP, known in Masuria as the bird man of Giżycko.

What are ornithological cruises like?

According to Krzysztof Pawlukojć, birdwatching from the shore requires patience and attention. Large flocks are usually far from the bank, and sunlight or waves reflecting off the water make it difficult to identify species.

Completely different possibilities open up during ornithological cruises. From the deck, one can admire the world of water birds from a new perspective. Above all, you are closer to the center of events – in secluded bays, reed beds and coastal thickets. Birds are easier to observe, more visible and less wary. Large floating vessels do not provoke such nervous reactions from winged residents as people sneaking around with binoculars on the shore.

The charm of autumn birdwatching on the water

According to Krzysztof Pawlukojć, late autumn cruises have a special charm, when traffic on the Great Masurian Lakes is already minimal and birds prepare for migration. Huge flocks of waterfowl from northern Europe travel southwest, and during this period our vast lakes become excellent feeding and resting grounds. It is a wonderful opportunity to observe large groups of ducks such as goldeneyes, tufted ducks or pochards.

There are also species that nest in the far north and can only be seen in Poland during migration. Among these exceptional visitors are the velvet scoter, common scoter, smew, black-throated diver, red-throated diver, horned grebe and whooper swan.

The bird man also talks about species that nest in Masuria, including the mute swan – the second heaviest flying bird in the world after the African kori bustard. Adult males can weigh up to 14 kilograms. To take off from the water, they need a long run-up, like an airplane on a runway. In the land of Masurian lakes also lives one of the largest birds of prey in Europe – the white-tailed eagle, with a wingspan reaching up to 240 centimeters.

Ornithological cruises in Masuria also allow participants to observe cormorants. These birds do not enjoy a good reputation among anglers and fishermen, but stories about their voracity are somewhat exaggerated, as their daily food intake is around 500 grams. Cormorants are excellent divers and move efficiently underwater, but their feathers are not waterproof. After a successful dive, a wet cormorant must spend a long time drying its wings before it can take off again. Hence the frequent sight of cormorants perched on piers or tree trunks with outstretched wings – explains Krzysztof Pawlukojć.

Cruise participants also had the chance to observe goldeneyes. These small ducks are known for their unusual nesting habits for water birds. Females lay eggs in large tree cavities, most often those made by black woodpeckers. Sometimes they also occupy sufficiently large nesting boxes. Even though nests can be located as high as twenty meters above the ground, the mother encourages her chicks to make daring jumps into the water just one day after hatching. Although they are not yet capable of flight, young goldeneyes are so light and fluffy that even bouncing off branches does not injure them.

Each bird species is a separate story full of fascinating facts – says Krzysztof Pawlukojć, encouraging everyone to take part in future ornithological cruises on the Masurian lakes.

---

Source: press release from the Foundation for the Protection of the Great Masurian Lakes