My name is Antoni Marczewski. I am 21 years old and I study biology at Warsaw Agriculture University. I am a volunteer leader of Warsaw Local Group of Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP) and volunteer for its quarterly “PTAKI” magazine (“Birds”).

So your work has to do with birds. Is Poland a good place for bird-watchers?

Yes. Some people say that it is one of the best places for bird-watchers in the whole of Europe. They are right – there is a great variety of habitats in the country: marshes, forests, sea shore, mountains and river valleys. All these places provide homes for different kinds of birds. Biebrza Marshes or Bialowieza Primeval Forest are just two examples.

What problems or threats do birds face in your country?

At this moment the biggest problem is a planned bypass road around the city of Augustów in north-eastern Poland. The city really needs this kind of road, because there are a lot of trucks going through the city which pollute the air, posing a threat to the local people. Some people have even been killed in road accidents. The problem is that the local council and the Polish government (including the Minister of Environment) want to build the road through Rospuda River Valley. This area is unique especially because of its natural fences. Some very rare species of plants and animals can be found there. For example for the Musk Orchid (Latin: Herminium monorchis), Rospuda Valley is the last refuge in Poland.

Are there any actions to protect Rospuda Valley?

Yes, a lot. Over 150,000 Polish citizens have signed a petition to save the valley. There is also a strong coalition of different environmental NGOs, including OTOP, which try to protect Rospuda River Valley because it is a special protected area under the Natura 2000 Directive of the European Union. Recently, we have obtained some positive news from the European Commission. The Commission warned the Polish government that not taking into account the alternative route for the bypass and planning the road through Rospuda Valley, would violate European law. If the warning is not going to work, there could be a case between the Commission and the Polish government before the European Court of Justice. Choosing the alternative road, Poland would have a chance to obtain financial support from the EU. However, breaking the law, my country could be forced to pay a high fine. If you want to know more about the Rospuda Valley and Via Baltica highway, which will probably cross other valuable natural areas in Poland, you should visit this website: www.viabalticainfo.org

What other projects or activities does OTOP carry out in Poland?

Recently, we have started to work on a big project under the LIFE Programme. Its main goal is to protect the Aquatic Warbler – a little bird which is threatened to become extinct. Poland is, after Belarus, the biggest breeding ground for this bird species. OTOP will, for instance, buy land on which the Aquatic Warblers lives, in order to prevent its extinction and that of other wildlife. We also have our own reservation – Karsiborska Kêpa in north-western Poland. Beka, another reservation near the city of Gdañsk, is also managed by OTOP, but it is state property. Moreover, our educational programme is very successful. Over 860 teachers in the whole of Poland take part in this programme. Together with their pupils they discover the wonderful world of birds and learn how to protect them.

You have mentioned that you are a leader of a local group of OTOP. What do you actually do?

Yes, that’s right. Well, unfortunately there are no expertised biologists or ornithologists in our group, so we are not so strong with regard to scientific research. Nevertheless, we cooperate with the Ornithological Society of Foresters, a scientific circle at Warsaw Agriculture University. For example, we count birds in the many parks of Warsaw or we list the birds which overwinter in the area of the Vistula River. We also try to make people more familiar with birds. The best way to achieve this is through outdoor trips. During these trips, we give people the possibility to look through binoculars and scopes and to show them the birds that live in the area. We choose places, where birds are numerous and where watching them is easy. It is always a great pleasure for us when we see people, especially kids, smiling when they see a Grey Heron or some other common species for the first time. Furthermore, we also organize presentations, meetings, contests and other events connected with birds. We have our own website – www.erkao.prv.pl – which doesn’t have an English version yet, but we are working on that (laughs).

Is OTOP connected with NGOs in other countries?

Yes, it is. Last year, we took the lead in project with a group of Turkish students under the YOUTH Programme. They came to Warsaw for a week at the beginning of September and together we did a lot of interesting things. We visited Bialowieza Primeval Forest; took part in work camps, where birds were ringed etc. Of course we also explored Turkish and Polish culture and history. So it was a very valuable time for all of us.

Do you think that young people interested in birds in other countries can contact you to develop projects or events together?

Yes, sure! We are open for any ideas from other countries. It is very important to share ideas and experiences. I really encourage everyone who is interested to contact us by sending us an e-mail to: warszawska[at]otop.org.pl or antek.marczewski[at]otop.org.pl

Thank you and good luck for your further projects.