Biebrza National Park

🇵🇱 Poland

🫎 Elk Wade the Biebrza Marshes
🌍 #208 Global · 3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #9 in Europe #35 in Temperate Forest
Eastern Europe, Poland 422 spp. recorded

Biebrza National Park lies in north‑eastern Poland and protects a mosaic of wetlands, river valleys and temperate forest. The landscape is dominated by expansive peat bogs, reed beds and scattered woodlands that flood in spring and dry into grassy meadows in summer.

53.310° N   22.554° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Common Crane ★
LC

Common Crane

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Grus grus

60–70% · Likely
Western Marsh-Harrier ★
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

40–50% · Likely
Elk ★
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

60–70% · Likely
European Starling
LC

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

60–70% · Likely
Northern Lapwing
NT

Northern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus vanellus

60–70% · Likely
Hooded Crow

Hooded Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus cornix

50–60% · Likely
Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

50–60% · Likely
Reed Bunting
LC

Reed Bunting

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Emberiza schoeniclus

50–60% · Likely
Yellowhammer
LC

Yellowhammer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Emberiza citrinella

50–60% · Likely
Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

50–60% · Likely
Barn Swallow
LC

Barn Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hirundo rustica

50–60% · Likely
Eurasian Magpie
LC

Eurasian Magpie

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pica pica

50–60% · Likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

50–60% · Likely
Great Tit
LC

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Elk ★
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

50–60% · Likely
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

40–50% · Likely
Brown Hare
LC

Brown Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus europaeus

30–40% · Possible
Eurasian Red Squirrel
LC

Eurasian Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus vulgaris

20–30% · Possible
Eurasian Beaver
LC

Eurasian Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor fiber

20–30% · Possible
Red Deer
LC

Red Deer

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

20–30% · Possible
European Mole
LC

European Mole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Talpa europaea

20–30% · Possible
Gray Wolf
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

20–30% · Possible
Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
LC

Northern White-breasted Hedgehog

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Erinaceus roumanicus

20–30% · Possible
European Badger
LC

European Badger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Meles meles

10–20% · Possible
Pine Marten
LC

Pine Marten

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Martes martes

10–20% · Possible
Eurasian Water Shrew
LC

Eurasian Water Shrew

Mammal

Neomys fodiens

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Common Crane ★
LC

Common Crane

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Grus grus

60–70% · Likely
Western Marsh-Harrier ★
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

60–70% · Likely
European Starling
LC

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

60–70% · Likely
Northern Lapwing
NT

Northern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus vanellus

60–70% · Likely
Hooded Crow

Hooded Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus cornix

50–60% · Likely
Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

50–60% · Likely
Reed Bunting
LC

Reed Bunting

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Emberiza schoeniclus

50–60% · Likely
Yellowhammer
LC

Yellowhammer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Emberiza citrinella

50–60% · Likely
Barn Swallow
LC

Barn Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hirundo rustica

50–60% · Likely
Eurasian Magpie
LC

Eurasian Magpie

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pica pica

50–60% · Likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

50–60% · Likely
Great Tit
LC

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

50–60% · Likely
Wood Pigeon
LC

Wood Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columba palumbus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

grass snake
LC

grass snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Natrix natrix

40–50% · Likely
Sand Lizard
LC

Sand Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lacerta agilis

30–40% · Possible
Viviparous Lizard
LC

Viviparous Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zootoca vivipara

30–40% · Possible
Slow Worm
LC

Slow Worm

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anguis fragilis

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Slow-worm

Eastern Slow-worm

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anguis colchica

20–30% · Possible
Adder
LC

Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Vipera berus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

European Toad
LC

European Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufo bufo

40–50% · Likely
Moor Frog
LC

Moor Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana arvalis

40–50% · Likely
European Fire-Bellied Toad
LC

European Fire-Bellied Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Bombina bombina

30–40% · Possible
European Common Frog
LC

European Common Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana temporaria

20–30% · Possible
Common Spadefoot
LC

Common Spadefoot

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelobates fuscus

Insufficient data
Shelkovnikov's Tree Frog
LC

Shelkovnikov's Tree Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyla orientalis

Insufficient data
Smooth Newt
LC

Smooth Newt

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lissotriton vulgaris

Insufficient data
Natterjack Toad
LC

Natterjack Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Epidalea calamita

Insufficient data
Great Crested Newt
LC

Great Crested Newt

Amphibian

Triturus cristatus

Insufficient data
Marsh Frog
LC

Marsh Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelophylax ridibundus

Insufficient data
Pool Frog
LC

Pool Frog

Amphibian

Pelophylax lessonae

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Spring Crane Migration

MarAprMay

Thousands of Common Cranes stage in Biebrza’s wetlands during their northward migration, creating spectacular dawn choruses and communal roosts.

Common Crane
LC

Common Crane

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Grus grus

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Elk Rutting Season

SepOct

Male Elks engage in dramatic rutting battles in the flooded meadows, a rare spectacle visible from observation towers.

Elk
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

60–70% · Likely
🐦

Marsh-Harrier Breeding Display

AprMayJun

Aerial courtship flights and nest-building of Western Marsh-Harriers are visible over reed beds, a hallmark of Biebrza’s biodiversity.

Western Marsh-Harrier
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

40–50% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
Common Crane
20–30
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
20–30
10–20
Western Marsh-Harrier
10–20
0–10
20–30
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
10–20
10–20
10–20
Elk
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
20–30
10–20
80–90
30–40
80–90
60–70
Mallard
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
80–90
60–70
European Starling
10–20
40–50
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
40–50
70–80
60–70
30–40
20–30
Northern Lapwing
10–20
40–50
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
30–40
10–20
Hooded Crow
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
20–30
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
Chaffinch
20–30
10–20
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
10–20
Reed Bunting
10–20
20–30
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
20–30
20–30
Yellowhammer
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
20–30
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
Western Roe Deer
50–60
80–90
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
30–40
50–60
80–90
70–80
20–30
30–40
Barn Swallow
10–20
0–10
0–10
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
20–30
0–10
10–20
Eurasian Magpie
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
Grey Heron
30–40
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
Great Tit
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Animal Events
🐦 Spring Crane Migration
🦌 Elk Rutting Season
🐦 Marsh-Harrier Breeding Display

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🫎 Elk Wade the Biebrza Marshes

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
323
🐒 Mammals
77
🦎 Reptiles
9
🐸 Amphibians
13
422 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
18 Threatened 9 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
60%
📊
Coverage (205 species at ≥5% of 422 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
49%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 bird, 2 mammal)
47% Global avg
37%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
141
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
9
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
36
⚖️

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