Warta Mouth Overview
Warta Mouth National Park, known locally as Park Narodowy Ujście Warty, is Poland’s youngest national park, established on June 19, 2001.
Situated in the Lubusz Voivodeship, near the Polish-German border, the park encompasses approximately 80.38 square kilometers (31.03 square miles) of diverse wetland habitats. It is located at the confluence of the Warta and Oder rivers, with its headquarters in the village of Chyrzyno, close to Kostrzyn nad Odrą.
The park’s terrain is characterized by expansive floodplains, marshes, and meadows that experience significant seasonal flooding, with water levels fluctuating up to 3.5 meters annually. This dynamic hydrology creates a mosaic of habitats, including oxbow lakes, river channels, ditches, and small reservoirs.
The landscape is predominantly open, dotted with willows and crisscrossed by a dense network of waterways. The northern part of the park, known as the Northern Polder, is rich in canals and separated from the Warta River by a levee, while the southern section includes the former Słońsk Nature Reserve.
Warta Mouth National Park is renowned for its exceptional avian diversity, making it one of the most important waterfowl habitats in Central Europe. To date, approximately 280 bird species have been recorded within the park, with over 170 species breeding there. Notable species include the tundra bean goose, greater white-fronted goose, and greylag goose.
During migration periods, the park serves as a critical stopover, with geese populations sometimes exceeding 100,000 individuals. Other significant bird species observed in the park are cranes, various species of ducks, and raptors such as the white-tailed eagle. In addition to its avian inhabitants, the park supports a variety of mammals, including European otters and beavers, which thrive in its aquatic environments.
Visitors to the park can explore several nature trails that offer opportunities for birdwatching and experiencing the unique wetland ecosystem. The “Ptasim Szlakiem” (Along the Birds’ Trail) is a 2.2-kilometer path that provides access to prime birdwatching areas, featuring observation platforms and hides.
The park also offers cycling routes and educational paths, such as the “Natural Sensory Garden” near the park’s administration office in Chyrzyno, which is partially accessible to wheelchair users and designed to engage visitors’ senses through interactive exhibits.
The primary conservation challenge facing Warta Mouth National Park is the encroachment of larger plant species into the delicate meadow and pasture ecosystems. This vegetative succession can degrade habitats critical for ground-nesting birds.
To mitigate this, park authorities implement active management strategies, including mowing and controlled grazing, to maintain the open landscapes essential for these species. The park’s inclusion in the Ramsar Convention since 1984 underscores its global significance as a wetland of international importance, highlighting ongoing efforts to preserve its unique biodiversity.
In summary, Warta Mouth National Park offers a dynamic and vital refuge for a multitude of bird species and other wildlife within its expansive wetland habitats. Its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity make it a significant site for conservation and a compelling destination for nature enthusiasts.