Coal mining poses new threat to Aquatic Warbler

29/01/2018

A fresh threat to breeding Aquatic Warblers has emerged in Poland's Polesie National Park.

Aquatic Warbler, which is categorised as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, is particularly affected by hydrological changes, including to wetland habitats. The species' global population decreased by more than 90 per cent during the 20th century, and there are currently only 10,200-13,800 singing males breeding in an area of 600 square miles. Now, potential coal mining within a few miles of Bubnów Marsh in Polesie National Park, is putting the species under further threat.

Bubnów Marsh, close to the Polish-Ukrainian-Belarus border, is one of the largest calcareous fen mires in Europe. It is a significant wetland area that survived drainage during the communist era. The marsh is protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, a Cross-border Biosphere Reserve (Polesie Zachodnie) and a Natura 2000 area. In 2014, 389 singing male Aquatic Warblers were found at the marsh, representing between 3 and 4 per cent of the global population.

Continued