In spring we invited two participants of senior citizens' projects organized for many years in Krzyżowa, hobby ornithologists, Mrs. Alicja Kudarewska and Mr. Andrzej Kudarewski, to walk around Krzyżowa and write down as many bird species as possible.
It took 2 hours to create a list of over 40 bird species in the vicinity of the Foundation's grounds. And it was only on the basis of observation and listening to the birds singing. For comparison - there are about 460 species in Poland, including the fleeting species observed.
We have selected 16 most interesting and colourful birds, which we have described below.
We invite you to check what kind of birds you can meet in Krzyżowa - what they look like, where it is easiest to find them and how they sing.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Latin name: Passer montanus
It is one of several sprarrow specias and, beside house sparrow, one of the most popular birds in Poland. Even though it is not as closely connected to a human as the house sparrow, it frequently preys gregariously (with over 100 individuals) at the farmlands.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: all year round, everywhere. It was spotted in the vicinity of the parking lot.
Black Redstart
Latin name: Phoenicurus ochruros
A short distance migrant, it shakes its rust-coloured tail unceasingly. Being more and more encountered in the cities, it is the most subject to the attacks of house cats, which it vociferously chases away from the proximity of its nests.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: from March to October, close to houses, on roofs, on the ground. He was spotted in the vicinity of the parking lot.
Blue Tit
Latin name: Cyanistes caeruleus
This little feisty bird, the most combative of all the tits – at the winter feeder there is always only one individual scaring away all the other birds. Its feathers glow in ultraviolet.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: all year round, everywhere. It was spotted in the vicinity of the parking lot.
Chiff-chaff
Latin name: Phylloscopus collybita
One of the smallest birds in Poland. It does not sing, but rather “counts down” cheerfully, it sounds like the jingling of counted coins – this is where its Latin name collybitus (a person counting money) comes from.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: from March to October in the treetops. It was spotted in the Oak Alley.
Finch
Latin name: Fringila coelebs
The most common Fringillidae in whole Europe. Only the female is responsible for nest construction. The males call the rain with the “kwirr kwirr kwirr” sound.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: all year round in the treetops, but not too high, it also feeds on the ground. It was spotted in the Oak Alley.
Lesser Whitethroat
Latin name: Sylvia curruca
Perfectly adapted to the life in thick bushes, thicket of grass and bushes. Very familial, the parents stick together with 5-6 younglings until their departure to the North of Africa.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: from April to September in hedges and thickets. It was spotted near the House on the Hill.
Fieldfare
Latin name: Turdus Pilaris
Very gallant, they can scare away from the lawn not only other birds, but frequently also dogs and cats by shooting excrement at them.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: all year round in the treetops, but not too high, it also feeds on the ground. Sometimes we are also visited by large herds migrating from Scandinavia. It was spotted behind the wall behind the rainbow and on the lawn in the courtyard.
Green Woodpecker
Latin name: Picus viridis
One of 9 species of woodpeckers present in Lower Silesia. Against the common ideas about the woodpeckers, it often preys on the ground usually eating ants by digging out deep holes in the anthill. It is done with the help of its 10cm-long sticky tongue finished with little hooks, which in the resting position is wrapped around its braincase. It does not often patter, but at the dawn it likes to produce a loud and vibrant giggle.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: all year round, it feeds on the ground. It was spotted on the lawn behind the Guardhouse.
Nuthatch
Latin name: Sitta europea
The only bird which can walk downwards the tree trunks. During the breeding season female is stranded in its hollow, the entrance to which is walled by the male in order to prevent predators from the access to the offspring.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: all year round on tree trunks and branches. It was spotted in the Oak Alley.
Red-backed Shrike
Latin name: Lanius collurio
Despite its inconspicuous appearance it is a ruthless predator. It eats the smaller games immediately, while he skewers the bigger ones, like lizards or rodents, on the thorns in order to make reserves for some worse days. It flies for about 100 days for the winter stay in Africa.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: from May to September in field hedges and thickets. It was spotted in the fields between the House on the Hill and the Oak Alley.
Pheasant
Latin name: Phacianus colchicus
As always among gallinaceans: a beautiful rooster and a humbly coloured female. The male likes climbing hills and announcing its ruling over a certain territory.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: all year round, it feeds on farmland. It was spotted in the fields between the House on the Hill and the Oak Alley, along the Cherry Alley.
Linnet
Latin name: Carduelis cannabina
Extreme vegetarian. Its elaborate nest is built only by the females. They choose well-hidden places for that – though not the poppies, as one could conclude from the Polish name. Nevertheless, the beautiful singing of the male can be heard until the end of July.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: from March to October in roadside bushes, on mid-field meadows and arable fields. It was spotted in the fields between the House on the Hill and the Oak Alley.
Meadowlark
Latin name: Emberiza calandra
It sings, or rather cracks, all year round. In Poland this species is under strict protection.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: throughout the year. It is partly migratory, sometimes it winters in western Poland. It often sits on wires, in tall trees, forages on the ground. He was spotted near the Cherry Alley.
Robin
Latin name: Erithacus rubecula
The male is remarkably aggressive in the territory fight, it is even annoyed by a red thread on a tree, but it sings beautifully. Besides the breeding season it is not very skittish. It jumps quickly on the ground with its wings down. It can be often spotted while sitting on its legs and wiggles its tail in a specific way.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: from March to October in wooded areas, but also on the ground. It was spotted in the Oak Alley and near the House on the Hill.
Common nightingale
Latin name: Luscinia megarhynchos
It can be singing all night long, but it performs in the daytime as well. The male quietens as soon as it starts fulfilling its parental responsibilities – feeding the younglings. Because of its colour and the quality of its sad singing it used to be an inspiration for poets in the context of spring ravishments.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: from May to September in dense thickets. It was spotted in the Oak Alley and near the House on the Hill.
Yellow Wagtail
Latin name: Motacilla flava
“Each wagtail praises its tail” – this old Polish saying comes from the characteristic wagging of its long tail performed by the wagtail. It likes rapes fields and it often nurtures the cuckoo’s chicks.
In Krzyżowa you can meet it: from May to August in the fields and wetlands. It was noticed in the Cherry Alley.
