It is here, where the Vistula ends its long journey and fans out into several branches flowing into the Baltic, that a landscape has formed – one constantly shaped by water and wind. The current shape of the river mouth is the result of centuries of hydrological processes, but also of a bold human endeavor: the Vistula Cut (Przekop Wisły), completed in 1895 by the Prussian authorities to protect the Vistula Delta (Żuławy) from floods.

As a result of this engineering feat, Sobieszewo Island was born – the green heart of the Tri-City area, where nature still plays the leading role. The sanctuary covers the outlet section of the Vistula Cut, framed by two exceptional nature reserves: Ptasi Raj (“Bird’s Paradise”) to the west and Mewia Łacha (“Seagull Sandbank”) to the east.

These are places that attract both professional ornithologists and amateur birdwatchers, as well as nature photographers and casual walkers who simply wish to immerse themselves in the pristine silence of nature, even for a moment.

The longest Polish river, after crossing the whole country, brings to the Polish sea everything that it has collected over its course of almost a thousand kilometres course, and creates along the way unique formations – backwaters, swamps, shoals, islands and islets. Across the whole refugium of the Vistula Delta, we also find spit coasts, dunes, forests and littoral lakes with rich greenery, as well as seasonally flooded pastures. This impressive diversity creates a wide range of habitats for birds of different kinds, both transient ones as well as winterers. Water and marsh species are exceptionally numerous. A skilled eye can also spot other winged creatures, as colonies of bats also appear in the area.

Ptasi Raj [Bird Paradise]

This reserve was created exactly 60 years ago and is located near the mouth of the Wisła Śmiała river. Its name is not a mere coincidence. This place is an important spot on the migration path along the south-Baltic route for water and marsh birds. Winged travellers can expect a friendly environment here for rest and hunting. It is also an important winter quarters for aquatic birds, as well as a nesting site for some rare species, among others the oystercatcher.

In Ptasi Raj you can come across more than 200 species. Among those which pass the reserve during their travels are the bar-tailed godwit, with its characteristic long beak, the greater white-fronted goose and the bean goose, as well as various species of dabbling ducks and pochards. Various species of gulls, terns and wading birds (including dunlin), and also cormorants, ducks, geese and swans, have their habitats here – during spring high-water stages there are masses of them.

The Ptasi Raj Nature Reserve - A Feathered Stopover for Travellers

Established in 1959, the Ptasi Raj Nature Reserve covers almost 200 hectares of meadows, wetlands, forests, and two lakes – Karaś and Ptasi Raj – separated from the Wisła Śmiała River by a stone embankment. The name itself says it all: this is truly a bird paradise.

The reserve lies along the Southern Baltic migratory route, followed by millions of birds each spring and autumn. For many species, Ptasi Raj is a crucial resting and feeding stop after a long flight; others choose to spend the winter here or to nest.

More than 200 bird species have been recorded in the area, including the oystercatcher, black-tailed godwit, greater white-fronted goose, bean goose, and various species of ducks, terns, and gulls.

A 6-kilometre educational nature trail runs through the reserve, complete with information boards and observation points. A walk along this trail offers not only great birdwatching opportunities but also an invaluable lesson on how delicate and fragile the ecological balance of the Vistula’s mouth truly is.

When walking through the area, it’s important to follow birdwatching ethics: keep quiet, don’t approach nests, and don’t enter restricted embankments. Thanks to such care, Ptasi Raj will remain a paradise – not only in name.

The Mewia Łacha Nature Reserve - The Kingdom of Gulls and Grey Seals

As its name suggests, Mewia Łacha is truly a kingdom of gulls. During the breeding season, tens of thousands of birds gather here, including the largest population of little gulls in Europe (up to 40,000) and common gulls (up to 150,000).

You can also spot common, sandwich, and Arctic terns, as well as rare plovers such as the Kentish plover and Mongolian plover – species with an extremely limited range in Poland. Altogether, more than 200 bird species have been recorded here, with about a quarter being breeding species.

With a bit of luck, you may also see grey seals resting on the sandy banks, basking in the sun. Although it may be tempting to get closer, remember that this is a strict nature reserve, and access is prohibited outside the designated observation points. Instead, bring binoculars or a spotting scope and enjoy the sight from a safe distance.

The Vistula Mouth - Nature Within Reach

The Vistula River Mouth Sanctuary proves that wild nature can thrive even next to a metropolis. Just a short walk is enough to escape the urban noise and enter a world ruled by the wind, rustling grass, and birdsong.

It’s also a perfect place to begin your birdwatching adventure, without the need for long-distance travel.

The best time to visit is during spring and autumn, when countless flocks of birds migrate through the area, or in winter, when northern species find refuge here.

No matter the season, an encounter with nature at the Vistula River mouth always leaves a lasting impression — a reminder that even in the shadow of a big city, life can thrive in its purest, most natural form.

More About Birdwatching

• The Vistula Lagoon (Birdwatching)
• Birdwatching in Pomerania – The Most Beautiful Birdwatching Sites
• Puck Bay and the Beka Nature Reserve (Birdwatching)
• Hidden Pomerania – A Walk Through the Beka Reserve
• Słowiński National Park (Birdwatching)
• Bird Migration on the Vistula Spit – Avian Highways Over the Baltic
• Birdwatching Viewpoints