A pond complex with adjacent wet meadows, riverine forests and arable land, situated between the Wisznia river (the San tributary) and the Bucowski Canal near to the Polish-Ukrainian border. Most of the pond area is overgrown with submerged pondweed Potamogeton, floating water-lilies Nymphaea and fringing belts of reed Phragmites. The ponds are intensively used for fish-farming.
Key biodiversity
An important area for waterbirds migrating along the Wis³a (Vistula), San and Dniestr rivers, with up to 10,000-40,000 staging here in autumn, mainly Anas platyrhynchos, Aythya ferina, Fulica atra, Vanellus vanellus and Larus ridibundus. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (3-4 pairs), Haliaeetus albicilla (one non-breeding bird), Crex crex.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats include reed-cutting during the breeding season (`Other').
Protected areas
National None International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Starzawa ponds. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 25/03/2023.
