Puck Bay, located in the northern part of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, is famous throughout Europe as a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. For most of the year, it resonates with the sound of sails, kites, and waves. Yet, despite its lively tourist atmosphere, it still hides wild, quiet corners - a true kingdom of nature.
The waters of Puck Bay, separated from the open sea by the Hel Peninsula, are shallow and calm. This unique combination of brackish waters, sandbanks, and vast coastal meadows makes the area one of the most important birdwatching sites in Poland.
Puck Bay, Rewa, Gull Lacha, Hel Peninsula, photo: Wojtek Jakubowski / KFP
Puck Bay and the Beka Nature Reserve - Mewia Rewa and the shallow waters of the Bay as natural wonders
Few people know that Puck Bay is divided into two parts by Mewia Rewa – a stretch of periodically exposed sandbanks extending between Kuźnica on the Hel Peninsula and the Rewa Cape near the village of Rewa. The northwestern part of the bay, known as Little Puck Bay, is particularly shallow – in some places only one meter deep.
These conditions foster the growth of unique ecosystems: brackish meadows and reed beds that provide shelter for rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. For water and wading birds, the bay serves not only as a resting place but also as a feeding ground rich in fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants.
Birdwatching Around Puck Bay - Where to Look
Although Puck Bay attracts tourists, birds thrive even in its small harbors and quiet corners. The best birdwatching spots include:
- the harbors of Władysławowo, Hel, Jastarnia, Kuźnica, Puck, and Gdynia-Orłowo, where various species of gulls are commonly seen,
- the so-called “Duck Corner” (Kaczy Fyrtel) near Puck – a famous birdwatching site where you can spot many duck species, including the smew,
- the Łyska Canal estuary, where numerous waterfowl species can be observed.
For more active birders, hiking along the beaches is a great option – the Władysławowo-Kuźnica trail (where terns are easily seen in summer) or the Jastarnia-Hel route, perfect for quiet observation of bird migration.
Puck Bay with the Beka reserve Phot. I. Florczyk
The Best Time to Visit - Autumn and Winter
Contrary to appearances, Puck Bay is at its most enchanting not in summer, but in autumn and winter. During the busy tourist season, peace is rare, so experienced birdwatchers prefer the colder months.
In autumn, flocks of migratory birds arrive, increasing in number each week. Among the rarer visitors are skuas, rock pipits, Lapland buntings, and, at the end of the season, the purple sandpiper, which stops here on its way to wintering grounds.
In winter, the bay becomes a bird sanctuary. One can observe the long-tailed duck, a species from the Arctic tundra that favors the calm, ice-free waters of the bay.
The Beka Nature Reserve - the Kingdom of Salt Meadows and Sandpipers
Among the shores of Puck Bay lies a true ornithological gem of Pomerania – the Beka Nature Reserve, established in 1991 at the mouth of the Reda River. It encompasses wet, brackish meadows known as słonawy, formed by the regular inflow of salty water from the bay.
The reserve is part of two Natura 2000 protected areas, and due to its ecological importance, tourist access is strictly limited. It is home to Poland’s last breeding site of the dunlin, as well as nesting areas for lapwings, redshanks, snipes, citrine wagtails, mute swans, and white-tailed eagles.
A distinctive sight among the tall grasses is the bright yellow citrine wagtail – a bird that arrived in Poland from Siberia and has been nesting here for only about two decades.
Besides birds, visitors can occasionally spot roe deer, wild boars, foxes, and raccoon dogs, all benefiting from the rich local ecosystem.
Puck Bay with the Beka reserve Phot. I. Florczyk
Birdwatching in Practice
When planning birdwatching around Puck Bay or the Beka Reserve, it’s good to come prepared:
- a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope is essential,
- the best time is at dawn or before sunset, when birds are most active,
- rubber boots or waterproof footwear are necessary, especially in autumn and winter,
- always keep quiet and stay on marked trails – remember, here we are only guests.
The Beka Nature Reserve, photo: E. Jaroszyńska
Why Visit?
Puck Bay and the Beka Nature Reserve are places where the sea meets the meadow, and the sound of waves mingles with the calls of waders and ducks. For some, it’s a haven of peace; for others – a living theater of nature. Here, you can truly see how humans, wind, and wings coexist in harmony.
In places like these, birdwatching becomes more than just a hobby – it becomes an encounter with the real Baltic.
More about Birdwatching:
- Birdwatching in Pomerania – The Most Beautiful Observation Sites
- Vistula River Mouth Sanctuary with Ptasi Raj and Mewia Łacha Reserves (Birdwatching)
- Vistula Lagoon (Birdwatching)
- Hidden Pomerania – A Walk Through the Beka Nature Reserve
- Słowiński National Park (Birdwatching)
- Bird Migration on the Vistula Spit – Aerial Highways Over the Baltic
- Observation Points (Birdwatching)
