For this purpose, a line count method was chosen, which was carried out on a pre-selected line of approximately 1100 m in length, running across the sandpit area. During the actual census, we always recorded the species, number of individuals and the method of detecting the presence of birds. So far there have been 5 counts of approximately 70 minutes duration.
A total of 44 bird species have been recorded in 289 individuals. Due to the considerable diversity of habitats, we were able to observe forest species, birds of open countryside and those tied to water bodies and reedbeds. The most abundant species was the Common Stilt (Carduelis carduelis), coming to the sandpit to look for the seeds of the pipits. Birds of prey (Accipitriformes) showed up in good numbers - we observed Red Knots (Milvus milvus), an adult Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and a River Eagle (Pandion haliaetus) fishing in the lake. There were the expected waders (Charadrii) - specifically river waders (Charadrius dubius), common sandpipers (Gallinago gallinago) and speckled dace (Tringa ochropus). Also worth mentioning are the Water Rattlesnakes (Rallus aquaticus). Interesting is the sighting of a pigeon-eared pigeon (Asio otus) or a pair of little grebes (Tachybaptus ruficollis).
We plan to carry out one last count in the sandpit, the results of which will be included in the final report together with the above mentioned ones.
