Construction of hydro infrastructure - task of our "wader" project

Today we will introduce you to one of the tasks of our new “wader” project. Construction of hydro infrastructure is the largest most time consuming and costly undertaking. We need 2 years to obtain all permits and one “good” fall/winter season for construction.

 
However, these costs and efforts are necessary because meadow areas adjacent to riverbeds, flooded during spring tides, attract numerous water and marsh birds. Drainage canals and ditches, improper use of the existing hydrotechnical infrastructure and its poor condition, as well as atmospheric factors (lack of snowy winters, reduced average precipitation), cause the lack or very rapid decline in floodwater levels and drainage of the area. Water deficits, especially lack of fragments with standing water, have a great influence on the number of meadow waders (black-tailed godwit, lapwing, redshank, common snipe, curlew, ruff):

• the lack of spring floodplains means that these birds do not breed at all,
• if spring floods are of smaller range and short duration, the consequence is easier access of predators (raccoons, foxes) to nests,
• the consequence of fewer birds breeding is a smaller protective “umbrella” created by the birds themselves. Lapwings, black-tailed Godwits and redshanks, which nest together in great numbers, can effectively chase away crows, magpies, harriers and even ravens. The fewer breeding birds, the smaller the "umbrella".

Intense pressure from terrestrial and flying predators results in 100% loss of breeding stock. Such an area becomes a kind of an ecological trap. In early spring, being theoretically attractive, it attracts birds, but does not guarantee breeding success — on the contrary, all the broods are destroyed — this contributes to a further decline in bird numbers.

Construction of the infrastructure will allow for water regulation and retention in project areas.
For the "Trześcianka" area we have planned construction: 2 weirs, 9 culverts with damming and dikes: a total of 16 sections with a total length of 2.40 km. The location of the facilities can be seen on the map.

Additionally, 6 ponds with a total area of 6800 m2 will be created in this area — these will be mainly dredged old river beds.
First, a surveyor will do the work, the results of their work will allow us to accurately plan the location of objects and their size.