The most interesting animal shots - Daleszyce Forests 2022

The most interesting animal shots recorded in the Daleszyce Forests in 2022.

The Daleszyce forests are among the most valuable natural areas of the Świętokrzyskie region. The diversity of habitats – dry coniferous forests, alder forests and peat bogs, upland and mountain forests – means that the diversity of animal species is high. In addition to common species, rare and endangered species are also found.

By carrying out permanent monitoring of wolves in the Daleszyce Forests, we were able to record with photo traps many interesting animal behaviours during the four seasons of 2022.

SPRING

In spring, foraging male deer and elk were most frequently recorded. Young specimens still wore complete antlers, while older bulls already showed newly applied antlers covered with scutes. We often recorded deer and wild boar during mud baths, which protect them from skin parasites. Photo-traps also recorded wild boars with small piglets that were born in early spring. Wolves in spring were recorded infrequently, usually while patrolling the area.

SUMMER

In summer, photo-traps recorded female deer and roe deer with young (calves and kids) and wild boars with sub-adult offspring. Bulls of deer and elk carried already grown antlers, which in late summer begin to wipe off their scutes. The wolf family reared as many as 8 pups, with which they moved between several rendez-vous (meeting places) located in the same area. The beavers also reared their offspring, and a pair of cranes from the moor cared for two chicks. Due to the prevailing summer heat, water and mud baths of the animals in the beaver floodplains and forest wallows were a common sight.

AUTUMN

Autumn is primarily the mating season for elk (bucking) and deer (roaring). Cameras repeatedly recorded the mating behaviour of males with magnificent antlers. Wolf pups were not much smaller than adult wolves and often roamed together with their parents and older siblings. Ungulate mammals continued to enjoy mud baths. Autumn was also the time for larger groups to form, especially in wild boar and deer.

WINTER

Winter is the season of further wolf migration, during which time smaller groups of wolves, or even individuals, patrol remote corners of their territory. The end of winter is also the period of mating for wolves and the greater mobility associated with this. Animals at this time rarely take mud baths or completely resigns from them.

Author: Tomasz Bracik