Jezioro (Lake) Rakutowskie

Lake Rakutowskie is located just South of Włocławek in Central Poland near the small town of Kowal.


http://nature.poland.pl/regions/pojezierza_pd/blota_rakutowskie/description.htm

On the way to the lake we saw a Black Kite slowly drifting over Lubien Kujawski.

Despite the size of the lake the area with the bird hide was hard to find, we headed down one road which became a sandy track and eventually a grass track ending a field just passed some houses. While Joannna went to ask for directions I managed to see a Buzzard and a Golden Oriole. In Krzewent some Black Redstarts were seen in amongst the buildings.

Eventually we found the access to the lake down a narrow unmarked sandy lane from the village of Krzewent. Here an elevated hide had a good view over the marshes, albeit rather a long way from the water.


View from the hide

As soon as we get out of the car a Hoopoe flew up from the ground where it had been feeding a and 2 Common Cranes flew over and landed in the reed beds.

Up in the hide it was rather windy but I was able to see Lapwings, Marsh Harriers, 3 Great White Egrets, 2 White Storks, Mute Swans, Gulls, Black Terns, Grey Herons and a Black-Tailed Godwit.

A walk around the edge of the reedbeds produced sightings of a Blue-Headed Wagtail, Sand Martins, House Martins, Swifts and lots of Swallows. Redshanks were seen and Sedge and Reed Warblers were heard from within the reedbeds. Cormorants and a White Stork flew over and Marsh Harriers were seen drifting over the reeds.

Around the edge of the reedbeds were grassy meadows here we saw a Whitethroat, Reed Buntings, Skylarks, a Fieldfare, Whinchats and Linnets.


Whinchat

There were also plenty of wild flowers and Butterflies.


Ragged Robin








Orchids


Painted Lady

After a brief lunch we took a walk around the marshes from the left side of the hide. Almost immediately a male Montagu's Harrier came drifting across, heading off away from the lake.

A Goshawk was seen over some distant forest and more Marsh Harriers. A Great Grey Shrike was spotted darting across the reedbed and a Wood Pigeon flew over. A group of 6 Hobbies were seen hawking for dragonflies, and a pair of Whinchats were sitting on top of small bushes at the edge of the reedbed.

A cuckoo was heard calling and a bit later flew passed.

On the way back to the car the Montagu's Harrier came back.


Montagu's Harrier (male)

Along the track near the car park were 3 dead moles. I don't know what had killed them. In this picture you can clearly see its powerful front paw, ideally adapted for tunnelling.


Mole (dead unfortunately!)

On the drive home we saw a Red-Backed Shrike and a Common Tern over a small lake.