Stanisław Broński, Włodzimierz Cichocki
Ornis Polonica 2022, 63: 29–44
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2022.1.3
Abstract: The paper presents species composition, distribution and abundance of waterbirds nesting in the valleys of two submontane rivers – Biały and Czarny Dunajec, and on adjacent ponds in Krauszów and Ludźmierz in the area of the Orava-Podhale Depression in 2015–2016 (Carpathians, southern Poland). 22 species of wetland birds were found in the valleys of both rivers, of which 12 species were breeding: Goosander Mergus merganser, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus, Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia, Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris, Great Reed Warbler A. arundinaceus, White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus, Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea and Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. There were 10 breeding species at the Biały Dunajec river, including 7 in the riverbed, while on the Czarny Dunajec river, a total of 11 breeding species was recorded, of which 8 species inhabited the riverbed. On the pond in Ludźmierz, two breeding species were found: Common Tern Sterna hirundo and Mallard. The densities of the four breeding species (Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, White-throated Dipper and Grey Wagtail) are comparable or much higher than those recorded in the valleys of other Carpathian and lowland rivers. This indicates a significant role of the Biały and Czarny Dunajec for the mentioned species in the Polish Carpathians.
Keywords: abundance, Biały Dunajec, breeding birds, Czarny Dunajec, distribution, Orava-Podhale Depression, species composition, submontane rivers
