Highlights:

• Five bird species have been removed from the list of game animals.
• Eliminating hunting will protect the population and improve the numbers of these species.
• The changes will not have a negative impact on agriculture – the common pochard, tufted duck, Eurasian coot, hazel grouse and Eurasian woodcock do not cause damage to crop and agricultural production.

We are doing what we said we would do. None of these species has a negative impact on agriculture or any other sector of the economy. However, we are observing a decline in the population of some of them. Removing them from the list of game species is an obvious step. Biodiversity is Poland's great wealth and we must protect it

– said Mikołaj Dorożała, Chief Conservator of Nature, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment.

The following species have been removed from the list of game animals: the common pochard, the tufted duck, the Eurasian coot, the hazel grouse and the Eurasian woodcock.
The yellow-eyed tufted duck is an experienced diver. It can dive 7 metres deep into a lake in search of food. Formerly one of the most common Polish ducks in Poland. Currently, according to the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), its population is declining.

Common pochards, like tufted ducks, are excellent divers, and males are easily recognisable by their rust-coloured heads. Currently, the number of nesting pochards in Poland is declining rapidly. This is in line with the global trend in the population of this species.

The Eurasian coot, which nests in aquatic vegetation, is closely related to the crane. It owes its Polish name 'łyska' because of the white ‘plate’ on its forehead. When startled, it quickly runs across the water.

The hazel grouse is the smallest European forest grouse with a stocky build and short legs. In Poland, it is a rare breeding bird that can be found in the mountains (Sudetes, Carpathians) and in the east of the country. It winters in Poland. Due to the loss of its habitat, it is a highly endangered species in Central Europe.

The Eurasian woodcock can be found throughout the lowlands of Poland, but also in the lower parts of the mountains. It is a rare, locally moderately abundant breeding bird. Some birds stay for the winter. Others arrive in spring for only a few days, then fly further north. They usually migrate in the evenings and at night, either alone or in small groups of 5-6 individuals.

Eliminating one of the factors contributing to the mortality of these bird species, namely hunting, will have a positive impact on their occurrence in Poland and will contribute to better protection of natural resources.

The removal of these bird species from the list of game animals will also comply with the principle of rational resource management, which may translate into the development of so-called bird tourism in Poland, contributing to the optimisation of social and economic benefits. It will also facilitate scientific research on the bird species affected by the changes.

Hunting, in addition to affecting the numbers of some species, also involves scaring away both game birds and protected species, which may lead to a reduction in their population growth.