Data Zone
Country/territory: Poland
IBA criteria met: C6 (2010)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 18,150 hectares (181.50 km2)
Site description (2000 baseline)
The site covers a 105-km-long stretch of the Odra valley from G³oska village (near Brzeg Dolny town) to G³ogów town, as well as a 7 km long stretch from the mouth of the Barycz river to the Odra river. The valley is up to 4 km wide, and is bordered by flood embankments. There are broadleaved forests (totalling 5,000 ha) and oxbow lakes. Old-growth forest is common, with trees often over 100 years in age. The oxbow lakes are at different stages of silting up.
Key biodiversity
Over 200 species have been recorded, c.150 as breeding species, with more than 60 breeding in riverine forest. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (eight pairs). Other notable breeders are Pernis apivorus (12-14 pairs) and Grus grus (30 pairs).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Odra riverine forests (Poland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/odra-riverine-forests-iba-poland on 23/12/2024.