Sketchbook from the Gulf of Gdansk, Poland

by Mikolaj Koss (mkoss AT wp.pl)

Mikolaj Koss was born and lives in Gdansk in northern Poland, studying for a degree in biology at the University of Gdansk. This sketchbook is from Poland April 2004.

"I began drawing birds as a teenager. In my sketches I try to catch a unique character of every bird, in which I sometimes succeed. While sketching I mostly use pencil and watercolour. At home I also do paintings using my sketches, photos and what remains in my memory."

12nd April 2004, Gulf of Gdansk I am staying at a ringing station and as there are not many birds trapped that day I’ve got plenty of time to explore the area. As I am wandering through the forest, I notice sprites flickering among bramble-they turn out to be Firecrests. Most incredible are the moments, when they hover.
28th April 2004, Warmia and Masuria Abandoned fish ponds near the village Kwiecewo are a good nesting place for various waterbirds. You may find there small colonies of Black-necked Grebe in the vicinity of Whiskered Terns, as well as some ten pairs of Red-necked Grebe. During spring migration all three species of marsh terns are present and if you are lucky, you may encounter up to 250 individuals of White-winged Tern foraging over the ponds. On the margins of the ponds you observe fair numbers of waders, mainly Wood Sandpiper and Greenshank. Fields and pastures round the ponds are abundantly inhabited by Whinchats.