Łukasz Ławicki, Przemysław Wylegała
Ornis Polonica 2011, 52: 40–52
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2011.1.2
Abstract: During last 30 years a distinct decrease in the numbers of the Eurasian Curlew in western Poland (west of the Vistula River) has been recorded. Breeding population size declined by over 70%, from 293–365 pairs in 1980–1996 to 84–109 pairs in 2004–2010. The most important decrease was found at the key breeding sites of the species in Wielkopolska Region (decline by 77%), Pomerania (81%) and Lubuskie District (40%). Only in Świętokrzyskie Region some increase was recorded, while population fluctuations were recorded near Łódź. Of 33 analysed sites, at 26 (79%) declines or population disappearance were recorded. At 6 sites (18%) numbers has increased, and fluctuated at one site (3%). Key breeding sites of the Eurasian Curlew, holding 80% of its population in western Poland are situated at present in river valleys of the Noteć, Ner, lower and middle Warta, Obra and in the Włoszczowska Basin. The most likely reasons for the species decline are low breeding success affected by high predation rate, and habitat loss, as it has been found in western Europe. Data from a few regions in eastern part of the country suggest that the decrease is widespread within the whole area of Poland. Similar trend has been detected at the majority of European breeding sites of the species.
