PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The river Narew is one of the last remaining truly natural rivers in Europe. Now integrated into the “Dolina Gornej Narwi” Natura 2000 site, it is the second most important site in Poland for the threatened, Annex I Birds Directive-listed small wader bird species, the great snipe (Gallinago media). The fluvial processes of the Narew have created many tributaries, ox-bow lakes and small islands that constitute the preferred habitats of this species. Unfortunately, the river’s complex of valuable habitats, traditionally managed by hand and horses is not managed at all now. This situation has provoked important degradation of the habitats and led the decline of the great snipe. In order to restore its population, it is necessary to restore access roads and small stone crossings (over the depressions, ditches and tributaries) to allow equipment to enter for the mechanised menagement of the habitats. Moreover, it is necessary to maintain the optimal habitat conditions and reduce the level of predation on snipe chicks, by the introduction of grazing. The latter has been identified as a key element in maintaining optimal habitats in Dolina Górnej Narwi. In addition, in other locations the presence of cattle has proved to be beneficial for the breeding success of the great snipe through the reduction of predation.
OBJECTIVES
The project’s main objective is to halt the decrease and enhance the population of the great snipe in the upper Narew valley, the second most important site for the species in Poland.
This will be achieved by the following planned actions:
The purchase of land to enable the project beneficiary to implement nature conservation actions to protect the target species; Restoration of access roads and crossing places to enable the implementation of other conservation actions; Restoration of some 190 ha of abandoned meadows to bring them back to conditions favoured by the great snipe and other associated waders (extensive grazing) that maintain the appropriate structure of the vegetation; Building/restoration of sluices and blocking ditches to maintain an optimal water level for breeding great snipe; Evaluation of the great snipe population to enable the establishment of habitat preferences and for the precise selection of areas for project implementation; Development of a national action plan for the species based on empirical data for the whole Polish population. This will provide the bases for the strategic protection of the great snipe at a national level; Information and dissemination actions mainly targeted at local communities and farmers; Erection of an observation platform to reduce tourist disturbance in the most at-risk area; and Assessment of the project impact through an integrated monitoring scheme. Expected results The project expects to achieve the following quantified results:
The purchase of 160 ha of land; Restoration of 190 ha of abandoned meadows; Building of 24 crossing structures and 16 sluices and restoration of 7 km of access roads; Purchase of 20 cows; Purchase and restoration of buildings for keeping animals and machinery; Building of an observation platform; Development of a national action plan for the great snipe; Development of integrated monitoring of the ecological and social impact of the project; Assessment of optimal habitats, spatial movements, threats and the current level of active protection of the great snipe; and Production of the following promotional material: a DVD, brochure (1 000 copies), leaflet (3 000), stickers (10 000), posters (1 000), t-shirts (2 000), calendars (3 000), information boards (three), educational packages (1 500) and a project website. The project will also hold a final seminar and network with other LIFE+ projects (three trips).
