We have started cow pasturage on another plot in the Narew River Valley in the vicinity of Trześcianka village. As part of the project “Active protection of the great snipe Gallinago media in the Upper Narew River Valley Natura 2000 site” we finished the construction of the fence around the first two corrals, both covering surfaces of ca. 30 ha – in total, ca. 60 ha will be fenced off. Thanks to an agreement with a farmer owing a large herd of Polish Red cows we brought 57 individuals – cows and their offspring – to the fenced corral.

By introducing controlled cow pasturage (Polish Red cattle variety) on an area of more than 60 ha in the Narew River Valley, we will be able to develop the meadows in the way which best fits habitat preferences of the great snipes. As shown by the results of telemetric studies carried out within the project, properly planned pasturage provides the great snipes with a diversified structure of plant cover and a mosaic distribution of habitats. Moreover, it helps create a more heterogenous micro-topography of the area. Such a landscape makes it possible for the great snipes to access safe foraging sites rich in invertebrate fauna during the entire breeding season. As it turns out, this type of land usage is favorable also to other charadriiform bird species, such as lapwings, black-tailed godwits and common redshanks. We expect then a rapid return of these birds in amounts corresponding to these from the nineties! An ambitious plan, but it has to work out! Keep your fingers crossed!When the season is over, cows will return to their owner’s farm. They have already acclimatized and seem very happy in their new home. The views are really beautiful.