TravelFeedTravelFeed Logo
The wildlife of Masuria: A Paradise of storks and eagles

The wildlife of Masuria: A Paradise of storks and eagles

October 2022 · 6 min read · Mrągowo County

We are in Poland, a country near and far away at the same time. What adventures are waiting there? Today we are starting our tour on the Krutynia, the most beautiful paddling river in Europe. 100 kilometres on the water, far away from any civilisation. Follow me on board. 

You can read the first part here, second here3 here and 4 here and the 5 here, 6 here and more here

No mountains, but gigantic swamps through which bison roam in the wild. Wolves are said to exist here and bears even. Well, neither the one nor the other we have seen, also no huge fish or deer and wild boars.

A stork over us like every day
A stork over us like every day
A stork over us like every day

And yet: the Masurian lakes are one of the last natural paradises in Europe. If you keep your eyes open, you will see black storks, eagles, swans, harriers, cormorants, white-whiskered terns, white-winged terns, black terns and great egrets every day. And you won't be able to get out of your amazement.

A swan before us, every ten seconds
A swan before us, every ten seconds
A swan before us, every ten seconds

The most common and trusting are, of course, the ducks. In summer they pass our boats in chains, in front the mother, we assume. Behind them five, six or even seven little tufts of feathers, eager to imitate everything the mother does. On the shore sit reed buntings and pied titmice, above our heads circling sea eagles.

Two Cormorans, so proud
Two Cormorans, so proud
Two Cormorans, so proud

Wildlife of all kinds

It's true, here in eastern Poland, just before the Belarusian border, there are more breeding migratory birds than in any other European country. Warmia, as the Moors are really called, is a paradise not only for water hikers, but also for wildlife of all kinds.

The landscape, which looks like a zoo when seen from the water, is located in the northeast of Poland and it is one of the most pristine and beautiful landscapes in Europe. Small fields, some of which are still worked by horses, alternate with fallow land, small villages, on whose houses more white storks nest than you can imagine.

A swan is coming
A swan is coming
A swan is coming

All of this is a large national park where, thanks to intensive conservation efforts, animal and plant communities still live that are otherwise severely threatened or have long since died out in the vicinity of civilization. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, the nightmare of all paddlers and outdoor tourists, do not exist at all! Really!

He has no fear
He has no fear
He has no fear

No, no, no Mosquitoes

Yet the Masurians are only the beginning of one of the largest contiguous forest areas in Europe, which extends further and further to the east. Wisent, elk, wolf, lynx can not be seen, but we count six species of eagles, see traces of beavers, otters flee excitedly from us and so many different species of frogs as here are certainly nowhere else.

And he has five childs
And he has five childs
And he has five childs

Very good for the storks, which have become rare in Germany. As friends of wet meadows and swampy waters they have an ideal environment here. Unperturbed even when approached within a few meters, they peck at frogs in the grass. Storks are the kings of the Masuria, in the small villages they have been given an eyrie on almost every house.

These are another kind of wildlife in Masuria
These are another kind of wildlife in Masuria
These are another kind of wildlife in Masuria

40,000 pairs of white storks

In total, 40,000 pairs of white storks breed in Poland, most of them settle here after their long flight from Africa. There are even real "stork villages" where almost every house has its "own" stork, which always returns.

One of the eagles
One of the eagles
One of the eagles

Most of them are white storks, but if you are lucky, you might even see a black stork. This dark stork species is very shy and in Europe it is almost only found in Poland. But here the population of them is even increasing again.

He’s looking at you, kid (Brian Fallon)
He’s looking at you, kid (Brian Fallon)
He's looking at you, kid (Brian Fallon)

But not only the stork enjoys the true bird paradise, especially geese and ducks find in Warmia and Masuria excellent suitable living conditions.The shallow and marshy waters offer numerous water and marsh birds the best conditions for successful family planning.

He is trying to reach the roof of out tent. For hours.
He is trying to reach the roof of out tent. For hours.
He is trying to reach the roof of out tent. For hours.

Cormorants, ducks, grebes

Ready to Blog & Earn?

With TravelFeed, easily start your own travel blog and earn as you go. It's the smart platform for travelers who want to profit from their passion. Create a free account

Cormorants, ducks, great crested grebes and colonies of mute swans can be seen after every successfully paddled river bend. If you plan a tour on the Krutynia, you should definitely pack binoculars - or better yet, a telephoto lens and a real camera.

Another happy family
Another happy family
Another happy family

For the eagles and cormorants dare not come near chattering, splashing human intruders . Standing on dead trees or small islands of moss in the river, they sense the approach of boats and immediately take off. Then they circle in the sky, free as the wind and out of reach.

Fetahers like fur
Fetahers like fur
Fetahers like fur

Of other forest dwellers one finds only traces on muddy paths. In the vast forests of Warmia and Masuria live red deer, roe deer, elk and especially numerous wild boars. They form an inexhaustible buffet for predators such as foxes, martens and lynxes, but also wolves.

The are waiting for fresh frogs
The are waiting for fresh frogs
The are waiting for fresh frogs

The wolves have reestablished themselves here only in recent years, and there are now said to be packs of up to 20 animals. Poland protects the predators with the bad reputation: In order to preserve this species, the wolf is under absolute protection, it may not be hunted.

An alian? With a helmet?
An alian? With a helmet?
An alian? With a helmet?

Don't Forget: Get Travel Health Insurance!

To make your trip a worry-free experience, TravelFeed recommends SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. It provides comprehensive health coverage while you travel, so you can focus on exploring, not the unexpected. Get a quote here

The emperor of the forests

But the emperor of these forests is the bison, a huge animal similar to the North American buffalo, weighing a ton but with longer legs and slightly less fur, can be met every evening in the eastern parts of Masuria if you want it. At least if you treat yourself to the famous Polish buffalo grass vodka Grasovka, called "Żubrówka" in Poland, which combines the clear vodka taste with the typical mild-spicy aroma provided by a stalk of lady grass found in every bottle.

The best Wisent they have ;-)
The best Wisent they have ;-)
The best Wisent they have ;-)

Thank you for reading and if you like my work please follow me          on HiveTravelfeed or Steem or visit my homepage koenau.de

A few more pictures for you:

The Cormoran is looking for the sundown
The Cormoran is looking for the sundown
The Cormoran is looking for the sundown
And he is picking frogs
And he is picking frogs
And he is picking frogs
Build your home on the rooftop
Build your home on the rooftop
Build your home on the rooftop
A snail by night
A snail by night
A snail by night
Swan song
Swan song
Swan song
Me at a hill with cows
Me at a hill with cows
Me at a hill with cows
Fire bugs
Fire bugs
Fire bugs
Better you have more than two wings, isn’t it?
Better you have more than two wings, isn’t it?
Better you have more than two wings, isn't it?
A pair with five kids
A pair with five kids
A pair with five kids
The landscape with all these animals and a few more
The landscape with all these animals and a few more
The landscape with all these animals and a few more
Be a stork and have a walk on the bright side of life
Be a stork and have a walk on the bright side of life
Be a stork and have a walk on the bright side of life
Don’t look up it could be a stork there
Don’t look up it could be a stork there
Don't look up it could be a stork there
Maybe this one
Maybe this one
Maybe this one

Travel Resources for your trip to Poland

Recommended by TravelFeed

Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to Poland.

Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in Poland on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.

Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.

Transportation: Use 12go and Omio to find detailed bus and train schedules, making travel planning easier.

Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.

Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!

Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.

Tickets: Save on entrance fees in Poland with Klook and Tiquets.

Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide to Poland. Chat now.

Disclosure: Posts on TravelFeed may contain affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure.


Share this post