Data Zone
Country/territory: Poland
IBA criteria met: C1, C2, C3, C4, C6 (2010)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 15,840 hectares (158.40 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2010 | not assessed | very high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2000 baseline)
The site comprises a stretch of the upper Narew valley between the dam at Bondary village and the town of Sura¿, as well as the Pietkowo pond complex near Sura¿. The Narew river has a natural character, and the valley is up to 3 km wide. Flood-plain plant communities depend on annual river flooding: beds of sedge and reed-grass Glyceria dominate, while small patches of reed Phragmites, scrub and willow Salix woodland occur along the river. Forest covers only 5% of the valley; open areas are mainly pastures and hay meadows. The Pietkowo pond complex adjoins extensive mixed and broadleaved forests. The ponds are densely overgrown with rushes and reeds Phragmites, with smaller amounts of sedge, reed-mace Typha and bulrush Scirpus.
Key biodiversity
A total of 145 species have been recorded breeding (49 at Pietkowo ponds). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (one breeding pair), Haliaeetus albicilla (non-breeding visitor).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Upper Narew River Valley (Poland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/upper-narew-river-valley-iba-poland on 23/12/2024.