Data Zone
Country/territory: Poland
IBA criteria met: A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 130,000 ha
Site description (2000 baseline)
This site comprises the Gocza³kowice drinking-water reservoir (3,200 ha) and many pond complexes and forest fragments in the valley of the upper Wis³a (Vistula) river, from Cieszyn to Spytkowice towns. Valley width is c.12 km. The western and south-western shores of the reservoir are embanked, with the dam forming the eastern shore, but northern and southern parts have a more natural character. Large areas of shore are covered by reed-grass Glyceria, and in some places by scrub; wet meadows cover the western part. Water-levels can vary by up to 4 m. The reservoir supports a fishery. The more important pond complexes are Gocza³kowice Zdrój (300 ha), Mnich (80 ha), Landek (150 ha), Ligota (170 ha), Pod Borem (150 ha), Dêbowiec (400 ha), Przyrêb (396 ha) and Spytkowice (350 ha). Mixed forest (80 ha) adjoins the Przerêb ponds, and some ponds are partly covered with reed Phragmites. The whole area is used for hunting.
Key biodiversity
Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (one pair), Crex crex (10-20 pairs).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Upper Wisla River Valley. Downloaded from
http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/upper-wisla-river-valley-iba-poland on 10/12/2023.
