Biebrza National Park

🇵🇱 Poland

🫎 Elk Wade the Biebrza Marshes
🌍 #192 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #5 in Europe #24 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%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
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 Endemic

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
Greylag Goose
LC

Greylag Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anser anser

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
Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

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

⭐ 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

20–30% · Possible
Eurasian Red Squirrel
LC Endemic

Eurasian Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus vulgaris

20–30% · Possible
Eurasian Beaver
LC

Eurasian Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor fiber

20–30% · Possible
🐒 No photo available
LC

European Mole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Talpa europaea

20–30% · Possible
Elk
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

20–30% · Possible
Gray Wolf
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

20–30% · With luck
Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
LC

Northern White-breasted Hedgehog

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Erinaceus roumanicus

10–20% · With luck
European Badger
LC

European Badger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Meles meles

10–20% · With luck
Pine Marten
LC

Pine Marten

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Martes martes

10–20% · With luck
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 Endemic

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
Greylag Goose
LC

Greylag Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anser anser

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
Wood Pigeon
LC Endemic

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

10–20% · With luck
Eastern Slow-worm

Eastern Slow-worm

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anguis colchica

10–20% · With luck
Adder
LC Endemic

Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Vipera berus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

European Toad
LC

European Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufo bufo

30–40% · Possible
Moor Frog
LC

Moor Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana arvalis

30–40% · Possible
European Fire-Bellied Toad
LC

European Fire-Bellied Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Bombina bombina

20–30% · Possible
European Common Frog
LC

European Common Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana temporaria

20–30% · Possible
Common Spadefoot
LC

Common Spadefoot

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelobates fuscus

10–20% · With luck
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
60–70
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
5–10
20–30
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
10–20
10–20
10–20
Elk
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
20–30
10–20
70–80
20–30
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
Greylag Goose
50–60
70–80
80–90
70–80
50–60
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
60–70
50–60
40–50
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
Barn Swallow
10–20
5–10
5–10
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
20–30
5–10
10–20
Western Roe Deer
50–60
80–90
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
30–40
50–60
70–80
60–70
20–30
30–40
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
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
850 Global average across 296 parks
18 Threatened 9 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
60%
📊
Coverage (194 species at ≥5% of 422 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
46%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 bird, 2 mammal)
46% Global avg
37%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 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)
15 Global avg
8
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
35

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Biebrza National Park?

The most likely sightings are Common Crane (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Mallard (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), European Starling (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Northern Lapwing (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Elk (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 422 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Biebrza National Park for wildlife?

May has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Common Crane in Biebrza National Park?

Yes — about 67% of wildlife watchers report a Common Crane sighting in Biebrza National Park, based on 926 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Western Marsh-Harrier in Biebrza National Park?

Yes — about 48% of wildlife watchers report a Western Marsh-Harrier sighting in Biebrza National Park, based on 662 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Elk in Biebrza National Park?

Yes — about 61% of wildlife watchers report a Elk sighting in Biebrza National Park, based on 66 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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