PL
The Northern Goshawk is a widespread top predator in Poland, whose numbers declined over the last two decades. This study summarizes the current (2014–2015 and 2019) distribution and numbers of the Goshawk in two neighbouring areas of central Little Poland: the Niepołomice Forest (a compact forest complex of an area of about 106 km2) and the Western Carpathian Foothills (fragmented forests of the total area of about 80 km2). In the Niepołomice Forest 13–20 occupied territories (1.2–1.9 ter./10 km2) were found indicating a stable population size, compared to the data from the 1980s–2000s. At the Carpathian Foothills 16–23 territories were found (2.0–2.9 ter./10 km2), but the population trend is difficult to asses due to the lack of comparable data from the past. Despite the different forest structure, the average distances (2.3 km) between the Goshawk territories were similar in both studied areas. Due to the role of the Goshawk as a top predator in forest ecosystems, there is a need for large-scale monitoring of the species.
EN
In 2011 and 2012 a survey of selected breeding species in the Special Protection Area Dolina Narwi PLB200001 was conducted. The area of 234.7 km2 includes the Narew National Park and its buffer zone. Numbers of most waterbirds and wetland species have declined in comparison with the 80s and 90s of the 20th century, and some species disappeared from the area. The species that stopped nesting in the area are: the Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, Red-necked Grebe P. grisegena, Eurasian Teal Anas crecca, Northern Pintail A. acuta, Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Ferruginous Duck A. nyroca, Tufted Duck A. fuligula, Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix, Ruff Calidris pugnax, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus. Population increases have been found only for the Mute Swan Cygnus olor, Greylag Goose Anser anser, Common Crane Grus grus and Bluethroat Luscinia svecica. The detected changes are in line with national population trends of these species. The most valuable species recorded in 2011 and 2012 were the Bluethroat (265–300 pairs), Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola (4 males) and the Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus (2–3 pairs). Furthermore, the area still hosted a nationally important breeding population of the Garganey (15–20), Water Rail Rallus aquaticus (69), Corncrake Crex crex, (155–165), Spotted Crake Porzana porzana (50–92), Little Crake Zapornia parva (18), Great Snipe Gallinago media (6–8) and Common Snipe G. gallinago (260–280). Population declines in most cases have been the result of habitat changes associated with low water levels, the shrinkage of pastures and hay meadows, and probably increased predator pressure.