A forest is more than trees
Forests cover nearly one third of Poland. They are home to mammals, birds, amphibians and insects, and many of them are nocturnal. Read more about nature conservation on the State Forests website.
Who might you meet?
- roe deer and red deer at the edge of a clearing,
- a red fox at dusk,
- a squirrel and a woodpecker in the treetops.
29.6%
of Poland is covered by forest
approx. 2,900
European bison live in Poland
up to 60 km/h
is how fast a startled roe deer can run
European bison
Europe’s largest land mammal. The biggest herd lives in the Białowieża Forest.
Red fox
A clever omnivore that thrives both in forests and on the outskirts of cities.
Great spotted woodpecker
It drums on tree trunks to mark its territory and finds insect larvae under the bark.
| Species | Activity | Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Hedgehog | nocturnal | insects, earthworms |
| Badger | nocturnal | omnivore |
| Squirrel | diurnal | seeds, nuts |
How to watch wildlife
- Go to the forest at dawn or dusk.
- Move quietly and stay on the trail.
- Bring binoculars instead of getting closer.
Never feed wild animals.
In the forest we are guests – let’s leave it the way we found it.
Forest etiquette rule
No. The mother is usually nearby, and human scent may cause her to abandon the fawn.
Stay calm, do not run, and slowly move away, leaving the animal an escape route.
Early in the morning and in the evening, when most species are most active.
Want to learn more?
Visit our knowledge base and read a short guide to watching wildlife.
