Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland

Transcription

1 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland This year we decided to prepare our newsletter earlier than usual. Just after finishing field works of 0/03 season, we summarized all our conservation actions and wrote several articles which you can find at next pages. Thanks to that, information you will read are up to date or we can even say: hot. What stories we would like to tell you? In our newsletter you will obviously find articles concerning active conservation. In the Biebrza Valley it was very busy season, lasting from August to February. We prepared two articles where mowing, bush removal, bringing the biomass in and constructing special tracks (used by heavy machines on fen mires) in Podlasie region are subscribed in detail. In Lublin region our conservation actions are still running, additionally continuation of previous activities like regular mowing of restored areas are in place. How field works were run you may read at next pages of our newsletter. One of the objectives of Aquatic Warbler and biomass use project is to create and test innovative systems of biomass (collected from Aquatic Warbler habitats) use. Last few months we were getting closer to pursue this goal. In the Biebrza Valley our pellet facility has started running, and in Lublin region we have already found few solutions of biomass utilization. How we handle this cases you can read in one of articles. In the text you can find interesting comparison of situation of Aquatic Warbler populations in Poland and neighbouring countries, which shows that our conservation actions are reasonable and have positive impact on Aquatic Warbler. We consider diversity very important, and that is why we describe also interesting areas which are outside priority locations of our project. In one of articles we leave Poland behind and move to West Africa, where research and looking for Aquatic Warbler wintering areas is conducted. This survey is a part of the project of French organisation ACROLA. We take a look at Germany as well, where Aquatic Warblers returned last year. You can also find an article about a new confirmed Aquatic Warbler site in east Poland, in the vicinity of Żelizna reservoir, which area is not protected at all and where any solid environmental survey was never done. We hope that articles placed in our newsletter will interest or even inspire you by their diversity and content. We wish you a pleasant lecture. Enjoy! Dariusz Gatkowski Aquatic Warbler Conservation Manager Each year means for us not only work to reach our goals of the project, but also evaluation of our actions, which is done mainly by Aquatic Warbler monitoring. Last year was really special, because census of this species on all Aquatic Warbler habitats in Poland was conducted. In one of articles below you can read about the results of this activity.

2 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 3 Utilization of biomass from fen mires Dariusz Gatkowski & Jarosław Krogulec The invention of special machines, that may be used for mowing of such specific areas as fen mires, created the opportunity for leaving open areas. On the other hand, we faced problem of utilization of poor quality and high moisture biomass. In order to solve this problem, options of use of late mown biomass have been evaluated. As the biomass is of poor quality for farming, three other possibilities were taken into account in a feasibility study (Gańko et al. 008): biogas production, composting, and use as a fuel (direct combustion or briquettes/pellets). The very low efficiency of fermentation processes indicates the low potential for biogas generation of such raw material. What more, the existence of biogas plant may be incentive for farmers to produce maize on every arable land in the vicinity. Such situation means the loss of biodiversity, and this is something we would like to avoid. The biomass from fen mires may be used successfully for composting. The weak point of this solution is no business sense of composting huge amounts of biomass in Eastern Poland due to lack of market and high investment costs. The third option, use as a fuel, includes to farmers and companies who utilize agro-environmental schemes (AES). In 0 only on state-owned land c. 3,000 ha were mown. As the productivity of fen mire (biomass collected) is c t/ha of dry biomass, there is a need to utilize c. 3,000-,500 t. Taking into account the low quality, especially the high (c. 30%) moisture content, a huge amount of biomass and a lack of utilization was a problem until very recently. Based on the results of the feasibility study for biomass use, the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP) built installation for processing the biomass to pellets in the frame of the LIFE+ Nature project Aquatic Warbler and Biomass Use. This facility works from February 03 in Trzcianne. In order to provide the possibility to utilize all biomass mown at Biebrza Valley, the annual target efficiency of the installation is c.,500 t of dry biomass. The biomass comes either from land used by OTOP or is taken for free from land leasers temporarily biomass storages or purchased from them (better material with lower moisture content). Pellets are sold to wholesalers (power plants) and in retail for households heating. The low ash content allows also for combusting it in ovens for wood pellets, where the heating value makes this product highly effective. The profits will benefit the conservation actions in the Biebrza Valley, but are presumably too small to cover the complete costs of mowing and biomass collection on fen mires. The problem of biomass utilization seems to be solved, but still there is need of support of mowing by AES payments, especially due to high costs of specialised equipment. when pelleting facility may process material of much higher water content. Now, the utilization of biomass from the Chełm region is assured. Still new options are appearing, such as power plant on biomass planned in Lublin or another plant burning such raw material in Bogdanka near Łęczna. In Lublin region market for biomass is developing very fast, what make us very optimistic. Two area and two different solutions of solving the problem of biomass use. In the huge areas of fen mires in the Biebrza Valley it was needed to build a special facility to process biomass mainly from this area. On the other hand, in Lublin region with scattered and much smaller fen mires, it make sense to cooperate with existing facilities. What important, solutions for processing of low quality biomass were found and are working. In Lublin region mowing of wet fens started again in 00 thanks to the LIFE+ project Aquatic Warbler and Biomass Use, agro-environmental incentives and management prescriptions by Poleski National Park. In the same time, OTOP was looking for solution of utilization of biomass. As efforts were to solve two problems at once, both to start mowing and use biomass, in Lublin region it was possible to avoid the problem of storage of huge amounts of biomass.. Aqutic Warbler habitat in Narew Valley D. Gatkowski. Bales of biomass form active conservation treatment areas Ł. Mucha 3. The ready-made pellet - Ł. Mucha -5. The production of pellet in Trzcianne Ł. Mucha 6. Production of pellet- Ł. Mucha 7. The pellet produced in OTOPs facility Ł. Mucha 5 Lublin region (project area) includes three mire complexes 30 ha of Ciesacin fen within the Special protected area (SPA) Polesie, 960 ha within the SPA Chełm Calcareous Marshes, and 30 ha of Bubnów Marsh SPA within Poleski National Park. Land belongs partly to the state and some areas are private. Ciesacin fen is totally private and since 00 farmers use AES for mowing half of their plots every two years. The biomass is used by farmers for fodder and bedding of Charolais cows. In Chełm area, 50 ha of stateowned Cladium mariscus fens are managed. In 0 pilot first time mowing of 55 ha to remove dense, old Cladium biomass and small scattered scrubs was carried out. With mowing high above the mire surface the biomass acquisition was very low ( t/ha). In 0 the Polish AES scheme for Cladium mires (mowing each year only 0% of a parcel) started on 90 ha and.9 t/ ha biomass were collected on 98 ha. 3 two possibilities: direct combustion or processing into briquettes/pellets. The first opportunity requires biomass with a low (<0%) moisture content. Only a small part of the biomass may be used in such way. In briquettes/ pellets production very moist raw material can be dried and such option may be still economically viable. Overall, the feasibility study showed that both technically and economically, the best solution is the energetic use of the biomass by producing briquettes/pellets as alternative fuel to substitute fossil fuels. In Biebrza Valley, with the biggest population of nesting Aquatic Warblers in Poland, fen mires are mown mainly due to leasing of state-owned land The solution of biomass use from above mentioned areas are existing now. Within short distance of Chełm there are three facilities of biomass processing - two pelleting factories and Cemex Cement Plant where biomass can be used as alternative fuel for the cement burning klin. Two of these options were tested. The Cement Plant may utilize biomass of low (<0%) moisture, 6 7

3 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 5 Summary of conservation of birds actions in the Biebrza Valley in 0 Łukasz Mucha & Dariusz Gatkowski 3 It is time to end and summarize the last season (0/03) of conservation actions in the Biebrza Valley conducted by Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP). The main objective was to prevent overgrowing and change of habitats of birds like Aquatic Warbler and many species of Waders (Charadriiformes), which are abandoning their former breeding areas. It was realized by bush removing and mowing the meadows. This season, thanks to good weather, work began according to schedule. Mowing started at the beginning of August. First, the action covered areas of Mścichy and Zajki. The area on Zajki was mowed by tractor with twin wheels and disc mower. The biomass was collected by baling press. The next mowed area were Szorce and The Ławki Marsh, where different techniques of mowing were conducted. Starting from direct collecting of biomass which is mowing and collecting with one pass of piste basher (ratrak) and trailer, through two stage mowing using piste basher with disc mower, and then collecting loose biomass or bales. In total, in the Biebrza Valley, about 370 ha of meadows were mowed, most of them as a part of agri-environment programme and LIFE+ project, including 9 ha which were hand mowed and hand collected from habitats particularly susceptible to pressing down. In such areas, even piste basher with low ground pressure can destroy the habitat. This tough and demanding work is perceptible for people, but also has a big impact on the machinery. During the mowing of wetlands, repairs are common. Fortunately there were no permanent damages, and after a short stoppage for repairs, machines were ready for use. At the same time as mowing the transportation of the biomass started. For this purpose, from the budget of the LIFE+ project the hydraulic loader crane (HDS) was purchased and installed on the tractor. The second purchase was a universal trailer for biomass transport. With this innovative solution, the tractor is able to charge the trailer itself, without uncoupling the trailer and tractor. The trailer can be used to transport loose biomass or bales (after disassembling sideboards). Each portion of biomass reaching OTOPs pellet producing facility was registered and described in detail. The moisture of biomass was checked as well. This information is essential to plan future production of pellet. Thanks to collecting so much data we know that we brought more than 300 bales and about 60 tons of loose biomass in from conservation areas on fen mires! To make moving of machines possible in wetland area, it was necessary to repair and build new fascine roads. This is a demanding task that involves arranging the branches, usually of willow, hazel and young shoots of birch and alder, in areas of the most intensively used for driving. (Details of this operation are described in the article: Service Strips: OTOPs Experiences with the Active, Protective Treatments in the Biebrza Valley ). This season we have built approximately 00 meters of new roads, many also have been repaired. If we consider that the fascine was often transported from distant areas and arranged in few layers the results are very satisfactory. Last season was also record-breaking if we consider the area of the bush removal at OTOPs locations. The bush removal is conducted on the areas which are overgrowing, because of abandoning of traditional management. This causes disappearing of proper habitats, not only for Aquatic Warbler but also for many species of Waders (Charadriiformes). The bush removal is carried out using two methods. One of them is hand cutting the shrubbery with use of chainsaws. Its advantage is that even thick bushes can be removed, but the process is very laborious and expensive. The second method requires the use of the piste basher with special header for cutting and shredding branches. The advantage of this method is its speed, but older shrubs cannot be removed that way. The area of bush removal, where both techniques were applied, was almost 30 hectares. Part of cut shrubs was processed to wood chips, the rest serves as building material for fascine roads. In early March, all of the machines returned to the OTOPs base in Trzcianne, where the annual technical inspection and needed repairs will be done. Then, all machines ready for work will wait until August 03 when the next season of field work begins. 5. Mowing by tractor with twin tires and disc mower. A collection of biomass in the form of bales - baling press 3. Direct collecting of biomass - the piste basher is cutting and collecting the biomass in one drive. Two drives method mowing by disc mower After a hard and busy season in the Biebrza Valley we are waiting now for spring arrival of birds. Then we will know if our efforts were really valuable. We will see how do birds like our work. Will they establish their nests on recently prepared areas or extend their range on areas where we removed the bushes? We hope so. We will observe them during monitoring actions, the conclusions of which will let us better help them to return on formerly lost breeding areas The hydraulic loader crane (HDS) on the tractor, trailer for biomass transportation 6. The trailer for biomass transportation 7. The biomass moisture measurement 8. Tractor with mobile wood shredder 7 8

4 6 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 7 Project actions in Lublin Region in 0 Jarosław Krogulec Fascine tracks: OTOPs Experiences with the conservation actions in the Biebrza Valley Łukasz Mucha The year 0 in Lublin Region comes up with continuation of management from previous season as well as with start of routine conservation actions on the new areas. As we have already informed in previous issue of Newsletter - in April 0 results of a tender on leasing of 5 ha of Chełm Marshes parcels belonging to Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ) in Lublin were announced. The tender winner was Eco-Różanka enterprise based in Różanka near Włodawa (Lublin province). The first step to start any activities on this area was to prepare of management proposal by leaseholder describing proposed actions within all leased parcels. And what can be surprising on Chełm Calcareous Marshes, for proper conservation of Aquatic Warbler habitat it is not recommended to use Aquatic Warbler Package of agro-environmental scheme! The main habitat of Aquatic Warbler on this area are extensive rushes of Saw-sedge. Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus are listed as priority habitat no. 70 on Annex I EU Habitat Directive. Saw-sedge require specific mowing regime we have informed about this issue in previous Newsletter article on habitat condition in fist year after mowing. According to botanist and Cladium mariscus expert dr Alicja Buczek from Lublin University of Life Science mowing should be recurred not often than every fifth year (Buczek 005). And because of that use of variant of 5. package of AES Protection of threatened species of birds and mowing every year 50% of mire plots would result in to high management frequency for Cladium. Therefore within Cladium mariscus stands another variant of AES 5.3 Magnocaricion communities should be used, which recommends to mow only 0% of area every year, what effects in management frequency of particular fragments just every fifth year.properly managing of Cladium rushes principal habitat of Aquatic Warbler in Chełm area - we contribute to effective conservation of this bird. Considering all above mentioned requirements such type of management was set by OTOP already in 009 in prepared on behalf of RDOŚ Lublin Chełm Calcareous Marshes PLB06000 Special Protection Area Management Program. So in effect management proposal prepared by leaseholder recommend to mow every parcels belonging to RDOŚ Lublin according to requirements of AES 5.3 package it is /5 of plot every year. Eko-Różanka enterprise is leasing there eight parcels with total area of 5 ha. After deducting of this patches of trees and small water bodies 90 ha is considered as qualifying to AES. In 0 99 ha in total was allowed to be mown. The largest mown area was in Bagno Serebryskie Nature Reserve. RDOŚ Lublin owns here two large plots covering whole territory of reserve 95 ha. Within this area, according to management proposal 55 ha in total should be mown in 0. Mowing were conducted in August according to plan prescriptions. On attached figure we can see orthophotomap with red framed parcels of nature reserve yellow polygons are the fragments managed in 0. Land lease systems allowing conservation actions to be made by farmers and entrepreneurs introduced by RDOŚ Lublin on Chełm Marshes since few years is also used by Poleski National Park (PPN). In August 0 PPN announced call for tender for Mowing of meadows and fens with biomass removal on area of 5,90 ha on Bubnów Marsh it is within our priority project area. The winner of the tender is Forest Service Enterprice Suchorab Adam from Wyhalew near Parczew. Bubnów Marsh in many places is overgrowing by reeds and young birches and therefore mowing of this fen with proper frequency will be beneficial for maintaining open character of the area. Prevention of the scrub succession belong to important tasks of our project actions. In January and February 0 our partners removed 0 ha of bushes within Błota Serebryskie. In February 03 bush removal works were continued and additionally effected in cutting of 5 ha of scrubs and birches overgrowing north-west corner of Bagno Serebryskie Nature Reserve. Scrub succession on Chełm Marshes was since many years an important issue of both of conservation administration as well as environmental NGO s. This problem start to be managed by Chełm Landscape Park Administration an now is continued within Infrastructure and Environment projects by RDOŚ Lublin. Scrubs were removed also within LIFE Wetland butterflies and now within our project. In effect all the area of fens as well as surrounding meadows and xerothermic grasslands within Natura 000 site Chełm Calcareous Marshes are now sufficiently open. What remains now is to mow with properly adjusted frequency. Map of mowed areas. Serebryskie Marsh (Bagno Serebryskie) - nature reserve areas mown in 0 Literature cited. Buczek A Siedliskowe uwarunkowania, ekologia, zasoby i ochrona kłoci wiechowatej Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl. w Makroregionie Lubelskim Acta Agrophysica 9.. Bagno Serebryskie: mowing in 0 J. Krogulec. Bushes on Błota Serebryskie, mown biomass before collecting J. Krogulec Page 7. Tracks made from loose fascine - Ł. Mucha. The fascine tied in bundles - Ł. Mucha 3. Układanie przejazdu ciągnikiem - Ł. Mucha. Placing track using the tractor with a front loader - Ł. Mucha Running conservation actions on peat meadows, that is large-scale mowing and bush removal, we found out that if we want to manage habitat effectively and avoid detrimental impact to the delicate peat soil, it is necessary to prepare fortified service strips, so called fascine tracks, in order to allow mechanical equipment access to mowing areas. Otherwise, repeatedly driving on the marshes will not only cause habitat damage, but also soil breakdown, peat extraction, and running equipment down, which will make further conservation work impossible. In such challenging terrain, it is necessary to strengthen the ground. The experience of the Polish Society for Protection of Birds (OTOP) in the Biebrza Valley shows that the best way to do this is to use a fascine made of cut willow or hazel bushes, which are tied in bundles or placed loosely in the path of the equipment. It is the optimal solution because, as organic matter, fascine does not interfere much in the environment, and mostly comes from neighboring areas. It is much better to cut material for fascine (branches and small trees) at the work site than to transport it over long distances. The bushes should be tied with wire or twine and laid along the planned path. To bind fascines, OTOP uses sisal twine, which decomposes rapidly without harming the environment. Fascine can also be placed loosely by hand or by a tractor with a front loader. The second option is possible only at subzero temperatures on a frozen surface, so that the fascine track can be prepared for the next season. Using a tractor to distribute the fascines is, of course, much faster than manual spreading. With a sufficient amount of fascine, preparing a 500 meter-length fascine track will take a proficient tractor operator about one week to complete. The manual construction of a track of the same distance made with bundles of branches by a fourperson team will take two months. 3 If you already have the material for fascine, it is very important to lay it properly. The most stable fascine tracks are built from at least two layers of fascine (especially in areas of intensive drives or maneuvers). A bit looser, single layer of fascine can be used for caterpillar vehicles. For heavyduty equipment, tracks should be more solid. In order to build a two-layer fascine service strip for heavy-duty equipment, we begin with the placement of thicker branches along the ruts to level the ground. Then, a second, loose or tied layer is laid across the path. If we skip this and put only one layer across the road, a heavy vehicle will split the fascines. The bundles ends will move vertically to the ground and they will hook into the chassis of moving vehicles. Another issue is the availability of material suitable for the preparation of fascine tracks. In the optimal situation areas of fascine harvesting are placed near future service strip. To lay a fascine track of 00 meter-length, branches from a one-hectare area are needed. It is easy to calculate that the preparation of a one-kilometer track needs material from 0 hectares of land. It is more difficult if the area close to the conservation treatment site does not require bush removal, which increases the costs of fascine transport. An alternative might be to obtain material from roadsides, which would be disposed anyway. However, the road managers permission must be obtained and the health and safety regulations taken into consideration. Keep in mind that once the fascine track is laid, it will need to be renovated. Fascine tracks lasts longer if the top layer of fascine is covered by a thin layer of biomass, such as the hay from the mown meadows. Biomass intertwines with the top layer, which provides better support and reduces the risk of fascine becoming lodged in the moving parts of machinery and vehicles. It is better to avoid hardening roads with sand, so as not to interfere with the delicate peat soil, which we protect. Another option to prevent damage to the peat soil and vegetation is to delay the field work until the winter season, when the vehicles will move over the frozen marshes. However, from our experience, the results of winter mowing are worse than in the summer. Besides, winter is not always cold enough to enter the meadow with heavy equipment. OTOP is constantly looking for new solutions that could replace the laborious laying of fascines. Among other options, we tested plates from hardened plastic which can be put on the ground during drives and taken off afterward. Unfortunately, these plates were either not strong enough or were so expensive that building a 30 meter service strip would cost more than zloty (5 000 EUR). Fascine itself can also threaten the habitat because it introduces additional nutrients to the environment. However, its protection of the ground as well-made fascine tracks is a greater benefit than any potential damage. At the moment, there is no alternative for the fascine service strips. Even a very light vehicle moving several times in the same place on a peat surface will leave a track and can damage the delicate structure of peat meadows. Fascine is the only effective way to protect the ground. Due to the high labor intensity and high cost of implementation, it is not a widely used practice and is applied only on the most difficult roads.

5 8 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 9 Aquatic Warbler full count in Poland in 0 Magdalena Zadrąg 3 Every year OTOP conducts Aquatic Warbler counts on its most important sites, those where the numbers of singing males change rapidly or those where OTOP implements conservation measures. Apart from that on three most numerous sites in Poland (Biebrza Valley, Chelm Calcareous Marshes and Bubnow Mire) since 0 transect counts are conducted, thanks to which it is possible to assess the number of Aquatic Warblers on those sites. Apart from main sites however, Aquatic Warbler inhabits also ephemeral sites, on which it occurs, usually in small numbers, when other sites are not available for the species. To this kind of sites belong for example Lower Bug Valley near Husynne, where in singing males of Aquatic Warbler were observed, but in next years also in 0 Aquatic Warblers weren t present during our observation. Aquatic Warbler occurrence on this kind of sites is probably dependant on changes in water level changes on its main sites, which press the birds to search for suboptimal habitats. In 0 OTOP has conducted a full count of the species in whole Poland to be able to assess the number of the singing males not only on the most important sites but also on those smaller, ephemeral, historical or potential sites, which are the sites where nevertheless the habitats are suitable for the species, it doesn t occur. Aquatic Warbler is a bird species living on open areas, vast sedge mires or other meadows, usually wet. This kind of areas are hard to penetrate, usually walking in this kind of place can be hard, not to mention counting birds and marking their positions in the GPS device or on the map. Due to this fact on the biggest sites of Aquatic Warbler OTOP organises camps for volunteers, who in groups count singing males. In 0 the camp in the Biebrza Valley has been organised by Grzegorz Grzywaczewski and Piotr Marczakiewicz, and the camp in Lublin region by Jarosław Krogulec and Bernadetta Wołczuk. Results During the Polish Aquatic Warbler full count in 0, summing up the highest numbers of the birds observed in each of the sites we have observed altogether 356 singing males, which is slightly better than the results from 009, when 35 singing males of Aquatic Warbler has been observed. The numbers of the birds in specific sites are listed in the Table. Site count count PODLASIE REGION (SUM) 77 Biebrza Valley Narew National Park 0 Wizna Marshes 3 bd. Narew Valley near Drozdowo bd. Narewka Valley near Białowieża 0 bd. Siemianówka Reservoir 0 bd. Żelizna Reservoir bd. 8-9 LUBLIN REGION (SUM) 96 Chelm Calcareous Marshes 95 bd. Polesie National Park bd. 97 Ciesacin Mire bd. Szyszła Valley bd. Bug Valley near Husynne 0 bd. WESTERN POMERANIA (SUM) 3 Karsiborska Kępa 0 0 Zajęcze Łęgi 0 0 Wolin National Parku (islands) Rozwarowo Marshes Miedwie Lake 0 0 Warta Mouth National Park 0 0 Lower Odra Valley (Krajnik) 3 3 CENTRAL POLAND (SUM) Ner Valley 0 0 Kampinos Forest 0 bd. Notec Valley 0 0 Rakutwoskie Lake 0 bd. Raciąż Vicinity 0 bd. Omulew Valley bd. WHOLE POLAND (SUM) 356 On the other hand a decline in numbers of Aquatic Warblers has been noticed in other sites in Podlasie region. In Wizna Marshes from 58 singing males in 009 to only 3 in 0, near Drozdowo from 9 in 009 to, and in Narew National Park from 38 to maximum 0 in 0. Also in Narewka and at Siemianówka Reservoir no singing males. At Zelizna Reservoir 8-9 singing males has been observed. Previously Aquatic Warblers has been observed in this site, for example: in 0 - singing males. This site has never been penetrated throughout. Observations that has been conducted this year by Janusz Kloskowski and his students show that Aquatic Warblers sing there regularly. Lublin region In the Lublin region this year in total 96 singing males has been observed. In Chelm Calcareous Marshes as well as in Bagno Bubnów in Polesie National Park slight increase in numbers has been noticed. We have also observed the birds in Szyszła Valley and in Ciesacin Mire, where they haven t been noticed for few years. It s especially encouraging that Ciesacin Mire is one of the LIFE+ Aquatic Warbler and Biomass project localisations and has been mown within the project last year. On the other hand at another localisation of the project we didn t observe Aquatic Warblers it looks like Bugu Valley near Husynne has been an ephemeral site, that is important for the species only in some special situations. Western Pomerania Unfortunately the numbers of singing males in Pomeranian population has dropped compared to previous year. In 0 we have observed 9-53 singing males and in 0 only singing males in the first count and 3 in other count, counting together with three birds observed in Germany in Lower Odra Valley. The habitats in Pomerania are all the time maintained as valuable for the species and it seems that the decrease in numbers of birds is not caused by lack of suitable habitats. Polish population compared with other countries It seems that Polish population is at the moment the only one that is quite stable, or even slightly increasing in numbers. Although in Germany after several years of absence 3 singing males has been observed in Lower Odra Valley, those birds belong to the same population as Polish Pomeranian population. In Lithuania this year also a decrease of population has been observed to 63-6 singing males. A year before the population was estimated to 90. No singing males has been observed in Hungary. In Belarus in 0 a full count has been conducted in Sporava Mire, where the population decreased by around 30% comparing to results of counts in 0. All the sites of the species in Belarus are strongly threatened by encroachment of bushes or reed and eutrophication. Besides, due to extraordinary situation of shrinking western population of the species, in Pomerania the counts has been conducted synchronically to avoid counting one bird twice, if they migrate between specific sites. The counts in Pomerania has been organised by Maja Piasecka. In other historical, potential and ephemeral sites in Poland the counts were conducted by volunteers, whose work has been coordinated by Magdalena Zadrąg. In total in counts of Aquatic Warbler in 0 over 0 volunteers took part, it would be impossible to name them all here, but we want to thank all of them very much. It s important to stress here that the work during Aquatic Warbler count is exhausting, connected to wading in marshes, often to lapsing into it, being bitten by mosquitoes, botflies, deer flies and other similar creatures and also to coming back from the area after the dusk. Table. The results of Polish full count of Aquatic Warbler in 0 (nd. no data) Podlasie region The situation of Aquatic Warbler on the most numerous sites: Biebrza Valley, Bubnów Marshes and Chelm Calcareous Marshes, looks good. Comparing to previous years the numbers of the species is on the same level or even we can observe a small increase. It is important to tell on the other hand that within Biebrza Valley the numbers of Aquatic Warbler increase on areas after bush removal or mowing, and in the Upper Biebrza Basin, where such action are not implemented the numbers of the species decline. This affirms the results of the species productivity research, which has shown that the numbers of birds on mown areas are higher than on areas totally unmown. This shows how important are the actions implemented by Biebrza National Park and conservation organisations. Sites in central Poland 0 has been rather a dry year and maybe because of that no singing males has been heard in Notec Valley. Unfortunately we failed also to find the species in Ner Valley, near Kampinos Forest, near Raciaz and at Rakutowskie Lake, where on 3rd October 0 a migrating Aquatic Warbler has been mist-netted. It looks like the chances for joining the Pomeranian and eastern populations are shrinking. The only positive aspect was to observe c. singing males in Omulew Valley in Kurpie region. In 0 due to poor weather conditions not whole area of potential habitat in this site, it is therefore possible that there are more singing males there. Due to lack of research the situation of the species in Ukraine and Russia is not known at the moment. Photos -: Volunteers during full counting - M. Zadrąg

6 0 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Mister scientist, how to mow? The influence of mowing on breeding of the Aquatic Warbler Żelizna new confirmed aquatic warbler site in 0 Justyna Kubacka Maciej Filipiuk & Janusz Kloskowski The Aquatic Warbler is a species specialized in living in open wetlands. It inhabits mostly fen mires covered with sedge such as those in the Biebrza valley. This kind of habitat (which means natural environment of living) was once common in lowland river valleys across Europe. During the last few hundred years their area has declined due to adaptation of river valleys for agriculture, peat extraction, and recently drainage and abandonment of traditional land management. Therefore breeding sites of the Aquatic Warbler, the bird once so common, that it was called the reed sparrow, are now so few. Furthermore, their future is dependent on active conservation, more precisely on mowing the wetlands, which protects them from being overtaken by willow and birch. It would seem that we already know what to do to save the breeding grounds of the rare Aquatic Warbler. Mow! The question is how often? In the Biebrza wetlands it is done mostly by tracked vehicles. Heavy machinery may destroy the surface of a mire and make the renewal of vegetation more difficult. Mowing and collecting of plants means that next spring the vegetation is lower, sparcer and poor in dry last year s sedge, so important for the ground-nesting Aquatic Warbler. These changes may also affect the quantity of invertebrates, on which it feeds. Thus if we stop to mow a mire, it will overgrow, but if we mow it too often it will cease to be suitable for Aquatic Warblers. The Polish Society for the Protection of Birds carried out research which brought answers to questions about the frequency of mowing and some other important questions concerning protection of the Aquatic Warbler. The research was financed by the EU funds Life and Life+. The main objective was to check how various frequencies of mowing influence breeding productivity of the Aquatic Warbler (for example the number of chicks leaving nests fledglings per hectare). Four type of areas were compared: unmowed and mowed one, two and three years before. The second important goal was to find out if the number of singing males is linked to the breeding success. Counting singing males is a method of assessing the size of population of this species they are easy to find, in opposition to very secretive females and their nests. But Aquatic Warbler males have no family responsibilities. Females build nests, incubate eggs and raise chicks alone. Perhaps males do not sing in the nesting sites but somewhere else? We wanted to find out if the number of singing males in an area really corresponds with the number of nesting birds. The results the research gave are very important for the protection of the Aquatic Warbler. First of all, we learned that in the first year after mowing a mire the conditions are not favorable for breeding but improve in the next year (pic. ). Afterwards they worsen with time passed since mowing. It means that mowing only as frequently as once every three or four years would be the best for supporting breeding of the Aquatic Warbler. Presently the mires are mowed every second year. According to our research it causes alternating good and bad breeding seasons, which results in lower average number of fledglings than it would be possible if it was done once every three or four years. We have also observed positive relation between the number of singing males and breeding productivity (pic. ). It means that counting singing males, which is a relatively easy and non-invasive method, can be successfully used as a measurement of population size in an area. The research results will be published in Bird Conservation International. Thanks to them we have solid, scientific basis for active protection of nesting sites of the Aquatic Warbler now all we need to do is to put it into practice! Justyna Kubacka was the coordinator of field research in years 0-0, carried out within projects LIFE05 NAT/ PL/0000 and LIFE09 NAT/PL/ The results will be published in Bird Conservation International (Kubacka et al. 03, Effect of mowing on productivity in the endangered aquatic warbler Acrocephalus paludicola ).. Bagno Ławki: Aquatic Warbler habitat J. Kubacka. Bagno Ławki: the female of Aquatic Warbler J. Kubacka The water basin close to Żelizna village (Radzyński District, and Lubelski Voivodeship) was created in 97. It is completely artificial, surrounded by dikes, with an area of 350 hectares and a capacity of 6.9 million m3, which empties into the Wieprz- Krzna Canal. Currently, the basin is largely covered by bulrush and used for fishing. In the immediate vicinity, meadows are crossed by channels. Avifauna of this area have never been investigated systematically, but in the last few years, Aquatic Warbler singing males were occasionally observed by Lublin ornithologists Zbigniew Jaszcz, Janusz Wójciak, and Paweł Szewczyk. Although many single observations, relatively early or late in the breeding season, could indicate migrating birds, repetitious observations suggest a significant probability of breeding activity. After a single observation of a male Aquatic Warbler by Jarek Krogulec in May 0 on the wet meadow south of the basin, we visited this place and the surrounding meadows again in June 0. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in finding the bird again because there were not enough members of the expedition to penetrate the larger area surrounding the basin. Finally, we did detailed research on June and 5 July of 0 with a group of ornithologists from UMCS Lublin, in which we searched an area around Żelizna basin. We found small clusters of singing males in the wet meadows west and north of the basin. Also, we successfully put rings on two birds. Furthermore, on July, in the meadows west of Żelizna, Janusz Wójciak found a couple of males. In conclusion, approximately 0- Aquatic Warbler males were found on the investigated area in 0. It should be noted, however, that only about 50% of the penetrated area is potential habitat in the vicinity of the basin. 3 The area around the Żelizna basin is not currently covered by any form of protection and it is not well-documented in any scientific studies. This year, observations of the basin showed that high sedge rushes are occurring in the western part of that area. In the eastern part, where Aquatic Warblers were also observed, sedge colonized the meadows, which were flooded in recent years, as a result of beaver activity. Also, partly marshy communities, which included Phalaridetum arundinaceae and Equisetetum fluviatilis, occurred near the basin. In recent years, the water level has risen slightly and new areas are being flooded, making this area more Aquatic Warbler friendly. This is probably due to ditch neglect. Willow succession does not seem to be particularly intense and larger areas that are covered by reeds occur only in a few places. The basin area is hardly penetrated by people because of the dense network of deep dykes. Areas suitable for Aquatic Warbler habitat are patchworks of private and Regional Water Management Board (RWMB) property, especially in the eastern part of the basin. Due to flooding from the basin, the value of these properties is relatively low and it is possible to consider partially protecting or buying these lands for their use and to improve the quality of Aquatic Warbler habitat. However, it s important to remember that in 03, the modernization of the Wieprz-Krzna Canal will be carried out (partly from EU funds), including the repair of Żelizna dyke and conservation of the basins girdling ditch, which can cause significant deterioration of habitat conditions in the surrounding meadows. An important advantage of this relatively sparse Aquatic Warbler habitat is the location. It is about 65 km away from the nearest, stable population in the Bubnów Marsh (Poleski National Park) and is located along a line connecting areas of larger Aquatic Warbler populations in the Narew and Biebrza Valleys with habitat in Polesie and in the peatlands near Chełm. It seems that the maintenance and improvement of habitat conditions in this area, has great conservation potential and may link these important, yet isolated, Aquatic Warbler populations. Participants in the Aquatic Warbler research in the Żelizna Basin: Barbara Strojny, Monika Budzyńska, Marcin Polak, Łukasz Dawidowicz and Marcin Skowronek. Special thanks to the below-mentioned birdwatchers, who shared their observations with us.. Meadows near Żelizna - J. Kloskowski. The search of Aquatic Warbler near Żelizna - J. Kloskowski 3-. Aquatic Warbler - J. Kloskowski

7 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 3 News from Germany Franziska Tanneberg i Jochen Bellebaum 3 Almost gone (but still there) A 00 years ago, Germany held huge Aquatic Warbler populations, but declines have continued ever since. In the end of the 0th century only a single breeding site with approximately 0-0 singing males was left on the German side of the Lower Oder/Odra River. Like most other local populations Aquatic Warblers were first found near Gartz in 00 and again in 0. The new habitat is situated close to Krajnik in Poland, where still breeding females are observed. Next to Aquatic Warblers, the project also targets the protection of A Regional Action Plan In 00 a regional Aquatic Warbler action plan, commissioned by the federal state of Brandenburg, was completed. The most important outcome of this work was the identification of key sites for habitat restoration. In two of the sites, the Lower Oder Valley National Park and the Ucker valley, restoration. Aquatic Warbler habitat in Germany - F. Tanneberg. Lower Oder Valley - F. Tanneberg 3. Area where conservation actions are implemented - F. Tanneberg. The field work - F. Tanneberg in what we call the Pomeranian population, numbers continued to decline. In 008, when for the first time no breeding Aquatic Warblers were observed, this last active Aquatic Warbler site appeared to be deserted. The reasons for this sad development- habitat loss and inappropriate management - have been studied in detail. The results helped to develop key initiatives for Corncrakes and alluvial meadows. Adjusted farming techniques, especially mowing dates, are tested and promoted. The project helps and encourages farmers to take care of breeding Corncrakes with the aid of bird-friendly mowing regimes, modern GPS technology and agri-environmental schemes. Unmown, 0 m wide refuge strips help Corncrakes to survive mowing. The work has already started. At least two other promising sites were identified in the former German Aquatic Warbler stronghold along the Havel river. Taken together these sites should be suitable to build up a regional population in future. Photos (below):. The participants of RRR Conference - Ch. Schröder. Presentations of mowing equipment- Ch. Schröder 3. Outdoor presentations were essential part of RRR Conference - Ch. Schröder Aquatic Warblers in Germany. project also helps to develop financing instruments to cover the costs of a long-term management. Restoration of the Peene Valley Since 006, as part of the EU-LIFE project Conserving Acrocephalus paludicola in Poland and Germany run by OTOP and partners, certain areas within the nature reserve Lower Peene Valley (NSG Unteres Peenetal) are being mown during the summer to restore suitable habitat for the Aquatic Warbler by thinning the vegetation and reducing the cover of reed. Small light-weight tractors as well as caterpillar-driven modified mowing machines were tested. In addition, standardized monitoring data about hydrology, vegetation and avifauna were collected. The changes in vegetation were considerable Conference Reed as a renewable resource Jarosław Krogulec and allowed the spontaneous establishment of Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and Common Redshank Tringa totanus as breeders in recently mown meadows. The local partner of the LIFE project, the NGO Förderverein International conference concerning sustainable usage of wetland vegeta- hectares of drained peatlands in Belarus) to the various methods of utiliza- Naturschutz im Peenetal e.v. now continues to organise the mowing with tion, Reed as a renewable resource took place at 6 February 03 at tion of products of rational management in wetlands (called paliduculture ). the help of EU agricultural funds and funding from Ostseestiftung. In 0, the University of Greifswald in Germany. This very important and interesting The conference, which consisted of two series of sessions (both theoretical 70 ha were mown, partly twice. Upcoming activities include the blocking event was organized by a team of researchers and practitioners focused such as genetics and reed s life cycle, and above all practical - rushes mowing The last remaining site: Lower Oder Valley of ditches on Schadefähre Island in the mouth of Peene river which has not been resettled by meadow-loving species despite summertime mowing on the conservation of wetland ecosystems as a part of working group Peatland Studies and the Palaeoecology in the Institute of Botany and techniques and the using of biomass), was mainly focused on the last issue. OTOP was also present at the conference. The author of this information The regularly mown, eutrophic floodplain meadows in the Lower Oder Valley since 999 and the further testing of using biomass from the fen meadows Landscape Ecology headed by Prof. Dr Hans Joosten. Prof. Dr. Joosten is a gave a presentation concerning fen mires management in eastern Poland, National Park are one of the best documented and studied Aquatic Warbler for pellet or biogas production. Breeding season records of Aquatic Warblers propagator and peatland conservation father figure in the world. He heads while Dariusz Gatkowski gave a report about pelleting and co-combustion of breeding sites in Germany. Based on long-term monitoring, local conserva- will be further searched for and further measure to help the species to return many research and wetlands restoration projects. Looking for the possibil- reed, sedge and Cladium biomass in Poland. Conference was accompanied tion activities and recent research of a PhD study, a testing and development this site should be evaluated. ity of using peatlands in sustainable and environmentally friendly way he by numerous presentations of companies producing equipment for reeds project to improve habitat conditions started in 009. The project Habitat invented many solutions - from using restored wetlands for C0 emissions and wetlands mowing, among other machines exhibitions on the Greifswald Conservation and Restoration for the Globally Threatened Aquatic Warbler trading (Moorfutures project in Germany and re-hydration of thousands of market. using Novel Approaches in Wet Grassland Management in the Lower Oder Valley National Park is managed by NABU Bird Life Germany and funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), Foundation Natur Schutz Fonds Brandenburg, and Lower Oder Valley National Park. The Accompanying Research (0-05) is implemented by Greifswald University (Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology and Institute of Zoology). Until 0 the project will create at least 00 ha of new habitat in a fen peatland near Gartz. Newly developed sluices allow to retain water where the birds actually need it during the breeding season. After the breeding season, or in places where no Aquatic Warblers occur, the water tables can be lowered for mowing. In order to protect the peat against drying out, lowering the water tables below 0cm below ground will be impossible. 3

8 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 5 Badania wodniczki w Afryce projekt badawczy francuskiej organizacji ACROLA Joanna Dziarska-Pałac 5 Africa is a continent, which hosts hundreds of thousands of migrant birds. Wintering areas in Africa are equally important for these birds, as their breeding grounds and staging areas during migration. Therefore, the organization, ACROLA (Association pour la Connaissance et la Recherche Ornithologique Loire et Atlantique), began scientific expeditions to Mauritania and Mali. Among the migrant birds wintering in Africa, the Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) has been identified as the world s most endangered species. Weighing just 0 grams, an Aquatic Warbler travels thousands kilometers between breeding grounds in Eastern Europe and wintering areas in West Africa every year. Since 003, ACROLA has been ringing birds in Donges and observing the autumn migration of reedbirds. Donges reed beds, located in the heart of the Loire estuary, are one of the most important staging areas for the Aquatic Warbler during the autumn migration. Due to the large number of Aquatic Warblers caught and ringed by ACROLA, its results provide significant information about this species (In France, 0% of the ringed Aquatic Warblers were ringed in Donges; Doxa et al., 008). To continue its involvement in the research and protection of this endangered species, ACROLA decided to also look for Aquatic Warblers wintering areas. there was now extensive desertification, as a result of a huge drought in the Guimi areas, and researchers did not find even a single Aquatic Warbler. However, there was success in Mali, where one Aquatic Warbler was ringed, which confirmed the location of their wintering area that was discovered in the previous year. Successful search of the Aquatic Warbler (XI 00-I 0):. Diawling National Park (Mauritania) Diawling National Park is located in the lower delta, on the right bank of the Senegal River, a few kilometers in a straight line from Djoudj National Park (Senegal). As of 0, it was the only known Aquatic Warbler wintering site, which was first discovered by AWCT (Aquatic Warbler Conservation Team) in 007. The ACROLA team conducted a nearly three-week ringing session on eleven research sites, during which they ringed (and controlled) several thousands of reedbirds from Europe. Despite the short distance from the Djoudj National Park and similar habitat in Diawling National Park, Aquatic Warblers were not found. During this time, ACROLA members also trained the staff of the park on ornithology and bird ringing, and participated in the annual bird count, Wetland. In the winter of 009/00, two members of ACROLA set off on an expedition to Mauritania, Senegal, and Mali to do reconnaissance of terrain and search for contacts necessary to carry out the next expedition. The following winter, four members of the ACROLA went to Africa for three months, to search for Aquatic Warblers in Mauritania and Mali.. Eastern Mauritania, tamourts - desert pearls In Eastern Mauritania, on the border between the Sahara Desert and the Sahel Steppes, are situated tamourts, natural reservoirs of water retention that expand during the rainy season, and dry off because of evaporation during the dry season. These oases in Eastern Mauritania are the areas, where dense vegetation grows on wet meadows, and Aquatic Warblers spend part of the winter. Despite difficult access to the area, the ACROLA team, assuming its large Aquatic Warbler potential, decided to search it thoroughly, especially on the banks of the Senegal River and between the villages Aleg and Kiffa. Eight days of ringing on the five sites provided the expected results, as tamourts in M barwadji and Gimi turned out to be habitable for the Aquatic Warbler. Here, three individuals were ringed, and so, ACROLA discovered two new wintering areas of the Aquatic Warbler. Map of Aquatic Warbler wintering sites in Africa They focused on three major geographic areas: Diawling National Park (Mauritania), wetlands of Central and Eastern Mauritania, and Niger Inner Delta (Mali). 3. Inner Delta of the Niger River (Mali) In Mali, among the towns of Djenne, Mopti and Tambouctou, stretches out the biggest continental wetlands of West Africa the Inner Niger Delta. Fishermen, shepherds, and farmers use water resources and fertile soil, living in the rhythm of the river floods. The Aquatic Warbler search was conducted on the flooded meadows (where Echinochloa stagnina grass is dominant), along the Mayo Dembé, the arm of the Niger River. In spite of extremely difficult logistical conditions (no access from the land), ACROLA managed to organize five ringing sessions, during which the team captured 363 birds, 7 of which were migrants from Europe, including 3 Aquatic Warblers. In addition, ACROLA discovered a very important Aquatic Warbler wintering site in Mali. In the winter season 0/0, two representatives of ACROLA returned to Africa. Ringing sessions were repeated in areas, where Aquatic Warblers were found in the previous year, as well as on new sites. In Mauritania, where just in January 0, dense vegetation grew and two individuals were found, Because the Aquatic Warbler wintering areas are as important as the breeding grounds and staging areas in Europe, it is extremely important to continue research in Africa, particularly to identify the geographical range of their wintering grounds, so that we can better protect the species. The greatest success of the ACROLA team was the discovery of three new Aquatic Warbler wintering areas in two countries: Mauritania ( sites) and Mali ( site). 3 In total, during the winter expedition 00/0, 6 aquatic warblers were ringed and one of them was recaptured in Europe. This individual was ringed on in Kofel, in the Niger Central Delta, Mali (J. Foucher), and was again caught in Ukraine on.06.0 (approximately a 5,000 km journey). This is the first control in history between Aquatic Warbler wintering and breeding grounds.. The field work - J. Dziarska-Pałac. The caught Aquatic Warbler in ornithological net - J. Dziarska-Pałac 3. The search for the Aquatic Warbler - J. Dziarska-Pałac. Setting up ornithological nets - J. Dziarska-Pałac 5. International Aquatic Warbler team - J. Dziarska-Pałac

9 6 Newsletter LIFE+ Project No. 3 / April 03 Aquatic Warbler Conservation in Eastern Poland The Aquatic Warbler and biomass use project THE BETTER SIDE OF HUMAN NATURE The Aquatic Warbler Aquatic Warbler habitat The pellet produced in OTOP s installation Mowing by piste basher