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PL043
Augustów forest
Location Poland, podlaskie
Central coordinates 23o 16.00' East  53o 54.00' North
IBA criteria C1, C6
Area 133,900 ha
Altitude 135 - 190m
Year of IBA assessment 2010

Ogólnopolskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptaków



Ornithological information Over 200 species have been recorded, c.150 breeding. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1-2 pairs), Crex crex (rare), Gallinago media.

Site description The forest is divided into two parts by the Augustów channel, through which the Wo³kuszanka river flows into the Niemen river. The northern part is situated on the Augustów plain in the catchment of the Czarna Hañcza and the Marycha rivers (tributaries of the Niemen). The southern part lies along the border between the Augustów plain and the Biebrza valley. The forest is predominantly coniferous (spruce Picea and pine Pinus), including moist and swampy areas, although large areas are also covered with alder Alnus and in some places there is well preserved dry-ground forest of lime Tilia and hornbeam Carpinus. Many of the forest stands have a natural character. There are several dozen lakes, the largest being Wigry lake (2,187 ha, 73 m in depth). Open areas are occupied by hay meadows and pastures. The National Park in the north-west of the site is used for recreation.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia breeding  2005-2009  1,500-2,500 breeding pairs  medium  C6  Least Concern 
Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus breeding  2008  24-25 males only  good  C6  Least Concern 
Black Stork Ciconia nigra breeding  2005-2009  10-20 breeding pairs  medium  C6  Least Concern 
European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus breeding  2005-2009  60-71 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Red Kite Milvus milvus breeding  2005-2009  7-10 breeding pairs  medium  C1  Near Threatened 
Black Kite Milvus migrans breeding  2005-2009  8-10 breeding pairs  medium  C6  Least Concern 
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla breeding  2009  10-12 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina breeding  2005-2009  32-39 breeding pairs  medium  C6  Least Concern 
Corncrake Crex crex breeding  2005-2009  250-360 males only  medium  C1, C6  Least Concern 
Common Crane Grus grus breeding  2005-2009  120-160 breeding pairs  medium  C6  Least Concern 
Great Snipe Gallinago media breeding  2008-2009  10-14 males only  good  C6  Near Threatened 
Black Tern Chlidonias niger breeding  2005-2009  35-45 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Stock Dove Columba oenas breeding  2005-2009  90-150 breeding pairs  medium    Least Concern 
Eurasian Pygmy-owl Glaucidium passerinum breeding  2005-2009  20-60 breeding pairs  medium  C6  Least Concern 
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus breeding  2005-2009  40-60 breeding pairs  medium  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus breeding  2005-2009  80-100 breeding pairs  poor  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops breeding  2005-2009  70-100 breeding pairs  medium    Least Concern 
Black woodpecker Dryocopus martius breeding  2005-2009  250-350 breeding pairs  poor  C6  Least Concern 
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus breeding  2005-2009  30-50 breeding pairs  poor  C6  Least Concern 
Wood Lark Lullula arborea breeding  2005-2009  350-500 breeding pairs  poor  C6  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Biebrza National Park Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) 59,233 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
Biebrzanski PN National Park 59,223 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
Dolina Biebrzy - PLH200008 Habitats Directive 121,206 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
Jezioro Kalejty Nature Reserve 764 protected area contained by site 761  
Kukle Nature Reserve 354 protected area contained by site 314  
Ostoja Augustowska - PLH200005 Habitats Directive 107,069 protected area contained by site 107,069  
Ostoja Biebrzanska - PLB200006 Birds Directive 148,509 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
Ostoja Wigierska - PLH200004 Habitats Directive 16,072 protected area contained by site 16,072  
Pojezierze Sejnenskie - PLH200007 Habitats Directive 13,631 protected area overlaps with site 2,395  
Puszcza Augustowska - PLB200002 Birds Directive 134,378 is identical to site 133,900  
Various III Nature Reserve 386 protected area contained by site 386  
Wigierski PN National Park 1,500 protected area contained by site 15,113  
Wigry National Park Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) 15,085 protected area contained by site 15,085  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Alluvial and very wet forest; Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland; Native coniferous woodland  85%
Wetlands (inland) Raised bogs; Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation  7%
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land; Highly improved re-seeded landscapes; Ruderal land  8%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
forestry 85%
agriculture 8%
fisheries/aquaculture 5%
nature conservation and research 23%
hunting -

Management considerations Afforestation with beech Fagus (outside its natural range) poses a threat to Tetrao urogallus (its preferred habitat is conifers).

Protection status National Partial International None15,113 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Wigierski, 15,113 ha). 761 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Kalejty, 761 ha). 314 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Kukle, 314 ha). 386 ha of IBA covered by 10 Nature Reserves (Jezioro Bia³e; Jezioro D³ugie; Kamionka; Maniówka; Ostoja Bobrów Stary Folwark; Suchar Wielki; Suche bagno; W¹do³ek; Wiatro³u¿a I á II; total area 386 ha).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Augustów forest. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013

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