"Na zdrowie" from Poland!

07 July 2011

Phil returns from a Polish mission, sampling the wetlands and the vodka

Phil Shepherd has just travelled to Poland with WWT's Director of Conservation, Debbie Pain, to meet with representatives of Polish Birds (PB), an NGO working for bird conservation.

They visited three important wetlands - Biebrza Marshes National Park, Milicz Ponds and Warta River Mouth National Park - with a view to assessing the possibility of developing a visitor centre to engage people with wetland wildlife and conservation.

The wetlands were teaming with life and the wildlife highlights included Elk, lots of warblers, Corncrake, Godwits, Ruff, Black Stork, Winter Bean Geese, lots of terns, lots of White-tailed Eagles and a bat roost.

In addition to the discussions with PB, they were taken to Warsaw Radio TOK FM for a one hour broadcast about the visit.

It seemed a very promising encounter and we're looking forward to submitting some ideas on the possible development of visitor facilities to allow others to enjoy these fantastic wetlands.

Oh, and apparently, the vodka in Poland tastes of hay ... "Na zdrowie!" (Cheers!)