The idea of including in the protection the habitat of birds in the direct vicinity of one of the Vistula's estuaries to the Baltic Sea arose at the turn of the 20th Century, and one of its promoters was Hugo Conwentz, the famous natural scientist from Gdańsk.
The reserve in its present form was created as early as at the end of 1950s. There are approx. 200 species of birds in the reserve, including such interesting names as black-necked grebe, greylag goose, common shelduck, common merganser, spotted crake, water rail, oystercatcher, plover, green sandpiper, bluethroat, or even common eider, particularly rare in our environment.
Sobieszewska Island, Ptasi Raj, photo: Pomorskie Travel
In the reserve, a 6-kilometre nature and educational trail has been set up, featuring information boards which familiarise tourists with the local natural assets and help them observe flora and fauna protected within the reserve. Indeed, it is recommended that visitors take field glasses with them. Waterproof boots can also prove useful since part of the route leads through marshy areas.
Ptasi Raj is a real natural paradise, worth visiting not only by bird enthusiasts. It is a mere few kilometres away from the city centre, and can be reached by urban transport. The Sobieszewska Island is a district of Gdańsk.
Sobieszewska Island, Ptasi Raj, photo: Floczyk
