Waterfowl of the fishponds in Ligota in 1995-1999

The fishpond complex of Ligota is located in the western section of the upper Vistula River valley (Bielsko-Biała district). The complex comprises about 20 fishponds whose joint water surface amounts to 160 ha. They are characterised by a poor emergent water vegetation (maimy the Common Reed Phragmites australis and Catttail Typha sp.). The whole study area occupies ca 280 ha (fig. 1). The area was under observations in 1995-1999. In total, 120 visits were performed in the study period (table 1). The numbers of breeding species were assessed based on the recommendations given by Borowiec et al. (1981) and Ranoszek (1983). In the period of study 62 bird species connected with the aquatic environment were recorded. The number including 32 breeding or probably breeding species (table 2). The most interesting was the Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax that bred in numbers reaching 140 pairs (table 3). In the years 1990-1997, 55-96% of the Polish population of this species nested on the fishponds of Ligota. The Black-headed Gull Larus rdibundus, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula and Pochard A. ferina were also abundant. The fishponds concerned comprised breeding sites of species endangered on the scale of Europe. Apart from the already mentioned Night Heron, these were: the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus, White Stork Ciconia ciconia, Godwafi Anas strepera, Garganey A. querquedula, Redshank Tringa totanus and Kingfisher Alcedo atthis. The importance of this area during birds migration was low which is probably connected with the vicinity of the Goczałkowice Reservoir offering much better conditions for feeding and resting. The area falls within the valley of the upper Vistula River which represents a bird refuge of European importance, and thus it is necessary to conduct regular monitoring of birds populations there.