Modern education in the knowledge society

EU co-funded project

Project title

A way to a modern school

Operational Programme for Education project

Change of a traditional school into a modern one

03/2009 – 06/2011

Demand-based project

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THE VILLAGE OF ŠUŇAVA

Welcome to the village of Šuňava! The earliest recordings date back to 1263, when it was founded by merging the Upper and Lower Šuňava settlemnets. Today, it has a population of almost 2,000 inhabitants. The village is surrounded by the beautiful mountain range of the High and Low Tatras. The highest points of the village reach an altitude of over 1,000 metres above the sea level. The community of Šuňava has kept old folk traditions alive. In the past, its dwellers made a living as forest workers, farmers as well as sheep and cattle breeders. Šuňava and its surroundings offer excellent opportunities for winter and summer tourism, cycling and hiking. The nearby forests are full of wild berries and mushrooms which make them a perfect destination for people who enjoy mushrooming. Not far away from this village tourists will find popular ski resorts in Lopušná valley, Lučivná, Liptovská Teplička, Štrpské Pleso as well as a thermal spa resort in Bešeňová or water parks such as Aquacity in Poprad or Tatralandia in Liptovšký Mikuláš. In addition to the natural beauties and sports activities, visitors may enjoy historical sites and cultural events that take place in the nearby towns and villages. Šuňava is known for its annual festival of amateur theatre ensembles and the festival of country music and dancing.

LOCATION AND AND NATURAL CONDITIONS OF ŠUŇAVA

Location

The picturesque Šuňava village is nestled in the beautiful scenery of the High and Low Tatra Mountains at an altitude of 789-1,095 m. The drainage divide of the Baltic and Black Sea flows directly through the village. The southernmost tributary of the Baltic Sea is Lopušná river which emerges in Šuňava, whilst Šuňava creek flows into the Baltic sea.

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Basic information

Region Prešov

District Poprad

Location 49° 01' 45"

20° 05' 24"

Altitude 798 - 1095 metres above sea level

Number of inhabitants 1,882

First written record 1298

On the east of the village towers proudly Kozí kameň hill (1,2553 m) known also as Partria from which you can have a wonderful view over Branisko and the Little Fatra mountain range.

Natural conditions

The Low Tatras

The mountain range was given its original name in 1860 by the Slovak geologist Dionýz Štúr. Originally it was named the Lower Tatras, however, later it was accidentally translated by Ján Hufalvy into Hungarian as the Low Tatras. The name has stuck and has been used ever since.

The Low Tatra mountain range stretches 95 kilometres from the west to the east bounded by the Valley of Váh and Hron rivers. Four peaks of the main ridge, reach an altitude of 2,000 metres. The highest of them Ďumbier (2,043 m), Štiavnica (2,025 m), Chopok (2,024 m), Dereše (2,004 m), Chabenec (1,955 m) and Kráľova hoľa (1,948 m) offer spectacular views of beautiful Slovak valleys and mountains.

The northern rim is of the Low Tatras is bounded by Liptovská and Popradská basins. The northern-east side is separated from Kozie chrbty by Vikartovská priekopa. The boundaries on the south are marked by Slovenské Rudohorie and Bystrické vrchy. Hriadeľské sedlo divides the Low Tatras from Starohorské vrchy mountains whilst Vernárska valley together with Vernárske and Kopanecké sedlo make a clear line between the Slovak Paradise and the Low Tatras.

Major peaks of the Low Tatra mountains:

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Four peaks reach an altitude of over 2,000 metres.

Ďumbier (2,043 m)

Štiavnica (2,025 m)

Chopok (2,024 m)

Dereše (2,004 m)

Skalka (1,980 m)

Chabenec (1,955 m)

Kráľova hoľa (1,948 m)

Kotliská (1,940 m)

Krúpova hoľa (1,927.5 m)

Zákľuky (1,914.5 m)

Poľana (1,889.7 m)

Bôr (1,887 m)

Konské (1,882.3 m)

Stredná hoľa (1,875.9 m)

Baňa (1,8591m)

Žiarska hoľa (1,840.5 m)

Orlová (1,840 m)

Králička (1,807.4 m)

Bartková (1,790.2 m)

Veľký Gápeľ (1,776.5 m)

Veľká Chochuľa (1,753 m)

Krakova hoľa (1,751.6 m)

Ďurková (1,750 m)

Ludárova hoľa (1,731.6 m)

Veľký bok (1,727 m)

Veľká Vápenica (1,691 m)

Latiborská hoľa (1,643 m)

Andrejcová (1,520 m)

Chabenec (1,515.5 m)

The High Tatras

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The High Tatra mountains stretch from Kôprová dolina valley in the west to Belianske Tatry (the White Tatras) in the east. The White Tatra mountains are lower than High Tatras (only 64 sq. km, length of the ridge 14 km, the highest peak Havran 2,142m). The High Tatras are bounded on the northern side by Spišská magora and a series of valleys. On the southern side lie the Sub-Tatras basin and the wide valleys of the Poprad and Vah rivers.

The Tatra mountains are core mountains. The geological structure of the High Tatras is rather complicated. It is divided into three parts. The crystalline core which forms the majority of the ridge and the southern slopes is composed mostly of granitoids and crystalline schists. The second layer above the crystalline core consist of mesozoic sediments such as quartzite, limestone, dolomite and clay slates. The crystalline core with an envelope form a geological unit that is denoted as tatricum.

The core of the Tatra Mountains was created in the Palaeozoic (Carboniferous, 210 mil.years ago). The surrounding water fell back in Mesozoic and massive erosion started. In the Triassic Period the sea rose again and began to create deposits (limestone, etc.) which formed the basis of Belianske Tatry and Červené vrchy. In the late Cretaceous, the Tatra mountains became a part of the continent and were further modelled during the Alpine orogeny. In the Paleogeny the mountains were covered with sediments of the Sub-Tatra group . A massive elevation of the mountains occurred in the Paleogeny especially during the Miocine epoche. Alpine glaciers had a major influence on the shape of the Tatra terrain during Ice Age. Some of the glaciers in northern part grew to a considerable height of 14,000 m. The longest and deepest cave in Tatras is Jaskinia Wielka Śnieżna (length 22 km, depth 824 m).

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The Tatra´s main crest is 26.5 km long, 17 km wide (at its widest point) and it stretches in an arch from a north-westerly to south-easterly direction starting with Laliove sedlo (1,947 m) on the western side and ending with Kopske sedlo on the eastern side. There are a number of spurs from the main ridge, mostly perpendicular to it. There are five peaks on the south (Kriváň, Končistá, Gerlachovský štít, Slavkovský štít, Lomnický štít) and four peaks on the north (Kozi Wierch, Opalony Wierch, Malé Rysy, Veľká Javorová veža). The height of the whole mountain ridge does not fall under 2,000 m in altitude and its highest peak is Ľadový štít (2,627 m). Gerlachovský štít is not only the highest summit of the High Tatras but also of the entire Carpathian mountains.

Major peaks of the High Tatras:

26 peaks of High Tatras are higher than 2,500 meters above sea level. On the Slovak side you can find 8 peaks that are accessible for tourists with seasonal closures (from 1 January to 15 June). The only possibility to get to the peaks of Gerlachovský štít, Vysoká, Ganek, Bradavica, Prostredný hrot, Ľadový štít, Baranie rohy, Lomnický štít, Kežmarský štít is to hike with a guide. Rock climbing in the Tatra National Park requires permission and it is allowed at your own risk.

The highest peaks of the High Tatras (height over 2,500 m)

Gerlachovský štít (2,655 m)

Gerlachovská veža (2,642 m)

Lomnický štít (2,634 m)

Ľadový štít (2,627 m)

Pyšný štít (2,623 m)

Zadný Gerlachovský štít (2616 m)

Lavínový štít (2,606 m)

Malý Ľadový štít (2,602 m)

Kežmarský štít (2,556 m)

Vysoká (2,547 m)

Supia veža (2,540 m)

Končistá (2,538 m)

Malá Litvorová veža (2,533 m)

Baranie rohy (2,526 m)

Dračí štít (2,523 m)

Veľká Vidlová veža (2,522 m)

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Kotlový štít (2,601 m)

Lavínová veža (2,600 m)

Malý Pyšný štít (2,592 m)

Veľká Litvorová veža (2,581 m)

Strapatá veža (2,565 m)

Český štít (2,520 m)

Veterný štít (2,515 m)

Malý Kežmarský štít (2,513 m)

Zadný Ľadový štít (2,507 m)

Rysy (2,503 m)

Summits accessible for tourists on the Slovak side of the High Tatras:

Svinica (2,301 m) – accessible from Poland Hrubý štít (2,172 m) – accessible from Poland

Rysy (2,503 m) – 3.5-hour hike from Štrbské Pleso

Kriváň (2,495 m) – 2.30-hour hike from Tri Studničky

Slavkovský štít (2,452 m) – 5-hour hike from Starý Smokovec

Východná Vysoká (2,429 m) – 2.75-hour hike from Sliezsky dom

Kôprovský štít (2,363 m) – 3-hour hike from the chalet at Popradské Pleso

Jahňací štít (2,230 m) – 5-hour hike from the starting point in Kežmarská Biela voda valley

Predné Solisko (2,093 m) – 1-hour hike form the chalet under Solisko and 2.30-hour hike from Štrbské Pleso

Veľká Svišťovka (2,038 m) – 4-hour hike from Tatranská Lomnica

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Individual parts of the educational trail No. 1

Basic information :

Starting point : Park dvoch morí (869 m)

Route : Park dvoch morí – Výhon – Prameň potoka Pálenica – Fendeková studnička – Dolina Pálenica – Začiatok doliny Pálenica – Chotár

Length : 4.68 kilometres, elevation 94 metres.

Duration : 2 hours

Number of stops : 6

Trail : hiking, summer and winter

Average elevation above sea level : 885 metres

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Starting point – Park dvoch morí (869 m)

You are at the river basin of the Black and Baltic Sea at an elevation of 871 metres. This place might be considered as a natural rarity - sometimes it is just a matter of few centimetres where the raindrops will end up - either in the Black Sea or the Baltic Sea. This place is at the same time the starting point of the educational path along which you visit interesting historical sites and learn about the local flora and fauna. First, head south, following the field lane to

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a place named Výhon. In the past, people used to drive cows to pasture here and that is how the place got its name. In case you are lucky, you might come across some relic stones with imprints of sea animals, which prove that this place was flooded with water millions of years ago.

Stop No. 1 – Výhon (947m)

You have arrived to the highest peak of your hike – Výhon. You are at an elevation of 955 metres above the sea level with a beautiful view at our village and a big part of the Sub-Tatra basin. In the front you can see Štrba, Tatranská Štrba, Štrbské Pleso with its distinctive ski jumping ramp. In the north-east there are popular sanatoriums – Vyšné Hágy, Nová, Tatranské Polianky and Smokovec on the right hand-side. In the distance you can see the spectacular scenery of The Hight Tatras with the dominant summit of Gerlachovký štít which is 2,655 metres high making it the highest peak in Slovakia.

This place is also related to a tradition of lighting bonfires. Each year in July, on the names day of Ján young men who have entered adulthood light bonfires. The pile of burning logs is several metres high and the flames can be seen from a distance of several kilometres. The celebration is accompanied by music. Young people sing and dance until early morning. The bonfire stands for the power of fire, earth and water and according to the tradition it shall bring

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in abundant crop on the nearby fields and meadows.

Head south-west. Following the forest trail you will ascent to a dense coniferous forest and to the Pálenica creek.

Stop No. 2 – Spring of the Pálenica creek (916 m)

After descending from Výhon you have arrived to one of the springs of Pálenica creek. This mountain spring located at an elevation of 915 metres has been known among people for its clear and pure water. In the past lumberjacks

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and women working in the forest came here to quench their thirst and relax after hard work. Animals which can be found here in large numbers come to the glade in search for water and forage laid by the foresters. Besides a deer, doe, tusker you can also meet a hare, squirrel, fox, badger and occasionally lynx, marten, polecat but also bear. You might also encounter different bird species such as an owl, jay, daw or listen to the distinctive sound of a cuckoo. This area is also the habitat of the Black Stork, which is on of the rarest animal species of Slovak fauna. Lizards, slow-worms and grass snakes are common reptiles frequently found here. However, be alert of the venomous viper.

This coniferous forest consists mainly of spruce trees. Besides spruce also pine and larch trees grow here, while fir trees are of scarce occurrence. The forest is a great place for mushroom lovers since there are plenty of mushrooms and wild berries.

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Descend several metres down the stream to a site of historical importance.

Stop No.4 – Fendekova studnička (893 m )

This place is unique in its character as 3 streams emerge on such a small area. The best known is Fendekova studnička /Fendek’s spring/ which has been protected by a small shelter since 1999. Based on the results of water analysis it contains important chemical elements such as e.g. magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium and potassium. Fendek’s spring together with other streams is an important water resource in this valley. This place is known for its large variety of flora and fauna. Beavers were also spotted here, traces of which are clearly seen in the pictures.

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Stop No. 5 and 6 (874 m and 857 m)

Now you are standing at the verge of the Palenica valley, where the borders of two national parks meet - Tatranský národný park /TANAP – The Tatra National Park/ and Národný park Nízke Tatry /NAPANT – Low Tatras National Park/.

If you take the south-east direction after a few kilometres you will get to the valley of Čierny Váh river, which is a popular place for mountain bikers and where the Small štrba marathon running competition takes place. Part of the route leads to Liptovská Teplička that is a starting point for the hike of one of the best known Slovak peaks – Kráľova hoľa (1,948 m). A couple of years ago a narrow-gauged railway was used for the transportation of wood from the forest. However, due to the development of road transportation it has lost its importance and thus has been dismounted.

Archaeologists show high interest in the nearby villages of Hrachovisko and Zemská as remains of former settlements have been discovered here. The archaeological finds provide valuable information about the way of life of our ancestors. Some of the relics are placed in the Podtatranské Museum in Poprad.

The area around here is perfect for grazing cattle and especially sheep. In the past, there used to be many shepherd’s huts on the nearby mountain meadows. Also nowadays, you can find places where sheep are kept and where sheep milk, cheese and other products are produced in the old traditional way.

There has been almost no human inference to virgin nature in this area. Besides an asphalt road and the narrow-gauged railway there has been no other construction activity and the only buildings found in the valley are gamekeeper’s lodges and stables for horses which were used for lumbering.

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Stop No. 7 – Chotár (874 m)

This spot boasts with one of the most spectacular overlooks. Right in front of you is the breathtaking scenery of High Tara’s peaks and valleys and bellow spreads the forest which was destroyed by the devastating windstorm in November 19, 2004. The storm cut a swath through a large area damaging and uprooting hundreds of thousand trees. When you take a look north-west you will see a part of the West Tatras´ crest with its highest peaks.

Not only hikers, but also bicycle and motorbike riders stop here to enjoy the scenic overlook. This spot, may however cause problems to drivers and local residents in the winter, due to its location and climatic conditions. Every year during the winter and spring months high snowdrifts are made on the road thus blocking the access to the village, sometimes even for several weeks. The local people remember 1 May 1985 when a blizzard cut off the entire village from the world.

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Educational trail No.2 – „Forest trails around Nižná Šuňava“

Lenght of the trail: 9 km

Duration: 3 hours

Basic information :

Starting point : Kostol všetkých svätých (854 m)

Route : Kostol všetkých svätých – Kopanice –Žabienec – Makoviská – Prameň prítoku potoka Lopušná – Studnička pod bukom – Barno

Length : 9 km, elevation 195 m

Duration : 3 hours

Number of stops : 6

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Trail : hiking, summer and winter

Average elevation : 916 m

Starting point – Kostol všetkých svätých (854m)

Now you are standing next to one of the oldest buildings in Šuňava – Kostol všetkých svätých (Church of All Saints). It was built in 1765 and during its existence it has undergone several reconstructions. The last reconstruction was

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carried out in 2005 when the church tower was fixed with the help of aircraft.

Today’s carpenters therefore admire the work of their ancestors whose only tools were their hands. This church, however, was not the first church in Nižná Šuňava. As early as in 1398, the church of St. Simon and Jude was built on this site and was later destroyed by Hussites. And here, at this place of historical interest, you will start your hike along the educational trail around the region of Nižná Šuňava. You will see interesting places, learn the origin of local names and most importantly you will experience the natural beauties of this region.

Head east along the main road to the south-east end of the village. You will pass two commemorative signs which commemorate important events in the history of this community. On the building of the nursery school there is a sing dedicated to the liberation day of the village (29 January 1954) and a few hundred metres down the road on the shop there is the next sign

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commemorating the sad events during the 1950s. If you are lucky, you might encounter some animals or discover some summer cup or other mushrooms on your hike.

Stop No.1 – Kopanice (838 m)

You have just entered Kopanice. It got its name in the past, when there used to be cultivated fields. Today is this place, however, called „country“ by local people as it is hosts the annual Country Weekend festival. The festival is a meeting point for the whole community of Šuňava and a popular event for tourists. This place is at the same time the point of departure for hunters or mushroom pickers who leave for the forest. Bikers, on the other hand, enjoy the forest paths leading to Lopušná valley. The biggest challenge is the hike to

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Kozí kameň – the highest peak in the neighbourhood with a nice overlook.

Stop No.2 – Žabienec (879 m)

The land you are now walking has an interesting name – Žabienec. It is derived from the word frog due to the fact, that it used to be a wetland with a great number of frogs. Although the land has been drained and the natural conditions have slightly changed, the name has remained. At present, many

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people show interest in building a chalet in this area thanks to its excellent location. The biggest and most popular chalet belongs to the factory in Svit. The next place is Košariská and in front of you to the right you will see the highest peak - Končiar.

Stop No. 3 – Makoviská (899 m)

Now you can see vast meadows. The land served for farming and lumbering. The meadows offered forage for animals, horses and cattle were grazed here. Thanks to fertile soil and abundance of sunlight poppy flowers were grown here. The name of this land originated from this plant as „mak“ means poppy in English. Long time ago, one could here the clapping of scythes, bland sounds of the lumberjacks´ axes as well as working songs. Today, everything has changed. Now you can only hear the sound of a chainsaw and forest machinery from the nearby forest. The former fields have disappeared, although the meadows still serve as pastures for sheep and cattle.

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Stop No. 4 – Spring of the Lopušná creek tributatory (896 m)

Now you are at the boundary of two neighbourhoods of the Low Šuňava region – Makovisko and Uhlisko. On this spot, one of the several water springs of this area emerges from the ground. It has served as a watering place for cows and sheep. Almost all local streams flow into the nearby Lopušná creek. If

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you followed the stream all the way down, you would arrive to the very distant Baltic Sea since Lopušná creek flows into Poprad river, then to Danube and Vistula river to which in the end flows into the Baltic Sea. Do you know why it is called Lopušná? Simply because of all the burdocks (lopúch – burdock in English) that grow here and have excellent conditions due to the humid soil.

On the west is Uhliská – a historically interesting place where charcoal was burnt from the forest wood. At present, you will hardly find any traces of this activity as it has been completely terminated. Instead of charcoal burners you might meet hunters, mushroom pickers or bee-keepers whose bees will find abundance of nectar on the blooming meadows.

Stop No. 5 – Studnička pod bukom (973 m)

You are at the border line of two neigherboods – Šuňava and Vikartovce at a spring called Studnička pod bukom (Spring under Beech). In the past times, fresh spring water was drunk not only by animals but also forest workers;

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during the farming season harvesters and women came here to quench thirst, have a chat and relax after hard work. The stream from the spring, however, flows into a different direction than the one you have seen before. The creek has found its way into Hornad river, later to Bodrog, Tisa, then to Danube and eventually it ends up in the Black Sea. Just a few metres away from the spring you will recognize one of the former 150 haylofts which served for the storage of hay for animals in winter.

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Stop No.6 – Barno (1005 m)

The name of this place originates from Hungarian and it means dark, brown referring either to the colour of the forests or the presence of the Brown Bear. The forests here are the habitat of a large variety of animals, mushrooms and wild berries and they are attractive to hunters and pickers. The wood from the forest is of high quality.

Once you leave the forest, you will spot vast meadows named Krahulčie. Behind Krahulčie there is Za lány, from which you can clearly see the village of Šuňava again. Follow the field lane, pass the cemetery and you will arrive to the same place from where you started a couple of hours ago.

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Flora

Scots Pine - Pinus silvestris

Norway Spruce - Picea abies

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Scots Pine is an evergreen coniferous tree growing up to 25 – 40 m in height. The habit of the mature tree is distinctive due to its long, bare and straight trunk topped by a rounded or flat-topped mass of foliage. Leaves ('needles') are 4–8 cm long, produced in fascicles of two. It blooms in May and June. The ovoid-conic shaped seed cones are green when not ripe and brown at maturity ( 3-6 cm long and 2-3 cm wide). Female cones are yellowish while male are reddish growing mostly in couples at the end of the branches.

It is the most-spread tree in Slovakia. This large evergreen coniferous tree grows up to 50-70 m (the tallest indigenous European tree) with a very straight conical shaped habit. It blooms from April to May. It is commonly found in alpine forests. It grows best on moist deep loam soils, however due to their adaptability they can also grow on clay soils and sandy soils where there is adequate moisture to meet their needs. As its root depth is shallow it tends to uproot.

Silver Birch - Betula pendula

Goat Willow - Salix caprea

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It is a shrub or small tree, reaching a height of up to 10 m. The quality of its wood is not suitable for lumber usage. Goat Willow is widely spread all around Slovakia from lowlands to sub-alpine zones.

Silver Birch grows as a quite tall tree although sometimes will grow small like a shrub (in mountains further north or in cold climate.) The bark is white, often with black diamond-shaped marks or larger patches, particularly at the base. Silver Birch is a fast growing tree and hence often used for reforestation or afforestation of areas. In forest farming it is, however, frequently regarded as a “weed” tree.

Common Juniper - Juniperus communis

Lingonberry - Vaccinium vitisidaea

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Juniper is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Cupressaceae family. Its bark is of grey colour with a decorative natural structure of wood and a pleasant aroma. The foliage consists of small, tough blue-green needles and dioecious flowers. It has small round berries which are green at first, but ripen after 18 months to a dark, blue-purple colour. Juniper blooms form April to May.

Lingonberry is a short evergreen shrub in the heath family that bears edible sour fruit. It grows in moist, acidic soil in coniferous or beech woods and on rocky mountain hillsides to alpine areas.

Bilberry - Vaccinium myrtillus

Jahoda obyčajná - Fragaria vesca

St.John´s Wort - Hypericum perforatum

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Billberry is a rich shrub growing up to 50 cm. Its berries are of black colour with grey-blue wax coating, round shaped with a full taste. They ripen from July to August. Besides berries also leaves are picked. Bilberry plants grow in moist, acidic soil in coniferous or beech woods and on rocky mountain hill sides to alpine areas.

Woodland Strawberry is a low perennial plant with long, slender trailing stolons and compounds 3 leaflets of ovate roughly toothed leaves. Flowers have five petals, twenty stamen and even more ovaries. It has a long flowering period starting in May and lasting throughout the summer. After pollination the stamen turn into fruit. Strawberries are reproduced vegetatively. As the strawberry fruits are developing, the plant is stimulated to send out thin growths called runners or clones that resemble tendrils. The runners grow roots into the soil that in turn create new plants that grow and bear fruit and send out more runners. That is why this plant spreads easily and quickly turns into bushy vegetation. Woodland strawberries grow in forests, meadows, balks, shrubs and clearings.

Creeping Thyme - Thymus serpyllum

Mosses - Bryophyta

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St. John´s Wort is a perennial plant growing 30-90 cm. The leaves are yellow-green in color, with transparent dots throughout the tissue which are actually glands containing red oil. Flowers have five petals and are colored bright yellow with conspicuous black dots. After squeezing they change colour into dark red. It blooms from June to September. It requires permeable soils, sun or partial shade. In grows wildly in Slovakia.

Creeping Thyme is a low, usually prostrate subshrub with creeping stems up to 5-30 cm long, with oval evergreen leaves. The strongly scented flowers are either lilac, pink-purple or magenta and produced in clusters. It grows along pathways mainly in dry or semi-dry ground cover, in sandy and clay soils. Its distribution stretches from lowlands to sub-alpine zones.

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Common Lady-fern - Athyrium filix-femina

Fauna

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Buff-tailed bumble-bee - Bombus terrestris

Rosalis Longicorn - Rosalia alpina

Europen Peacock - Inachis io

Grass Snake - Natrix natrix

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Buff-tailed bumble-bee is a peaceful species living in colonies. They feed on pollen and nectar which is also given to larvae. They are black with a dull yellow band just in front of the wings, and another across the middle of the body. The abdomen of the queen is buff coloured, however, workers are very similar to white-tailed bumble bees.

The Rosalia longicorn is 15 to 38 mm long. The antennae can be up to twice as long as the rest of the body in males, and the same length in females. The elytra are flat, blue-gray, with variable black spots, including a prominent one on the thorax, a silky one in front and a small one in back. They feed on sap of damaged trees.

It is commonly known simply as the Peacock butterfly. The butterfly lays its eggs in early spring, in batches of up to 400 at a time. The caterpillars, which are shiny black with six rows of barbed spikes and a series of white dots on each segment and which have a shiny black head, hatch after about a week and feed on nettle and hops. The adult butterflies drink nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, including buddleia, willows, dandelions, danewort, hemp agrimony, and clover; they also utilize tree sap and rotten fruit. The Peacock can be found in woods, fields and meadows, pastures, parks, and gardens, and from lowlands up to an elevation of 2,500 metres. It is commonly seen in many European countries.

It is a nonvenomous snake of brown or grey colour with stains. The skin is dry. As the outer skin does not grow with the body moulting occurs at least once during the active season - loosening the skin from the body. The grass snake is a strong swimmer holding its head above water. It preys almost entirely on amphibians, especially toad, frogs and lizards. Not being venomous, they rarely bite in defence.

Slow worm - Anguis fragilis

Northern Viper - Vipera berus

Common Lizard - Zootoca vivipara

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Adult Slow worms grow to be about 50 cm long and have either grayish, grey-blue or red-brown color. As these lizards are limbless, they are often mistaken for snakes. They have very small, highly polished scales, giving a glassy appearance. Their teeth are small and tipped back in order to hold the prey while their tongue is V-shapes and wider at the end.

Relatively thick-bodied, female adults grow to 60 cm in length, while the male are shorter reaching a length of maximum 60 cm. They live up to 25 years. The colour pattern varies, ranging from very light-coloured specimens with dark dorsal crossbars to individuals that lack any apparent dorsal pattern; however, the most common colour is grey to blue-grey. A distinctive mark which helps to distinguish the viper from other Slovak snakes is a vertically slit pupil (other snakes have round pupil). Litter range in size from 5 to 18. They are born with a fully functional venom apparatus and hence are dangerous. Vipers feed on small mammals, amphibians, lizards, nestling or even eggs.

Common Lizard is one of our smallest lizards. The typical adult size is approx 15-18 cm (including its tail) and coloration is commonly some shade of brown with patterns of spots or stripes. It gives birth to tiny jet black young in August which gradually turn a copper color before growing up into the typical adult coloration. They inhabit humid habitats, dense green vegetation and like to stay in the sun. Common Lizard is a ground dweller and hibernates in tree stumps or rock clefts from September to March. It feeds predominantly on spiders and insects as well as worms and caterpillars.

Common Frog - Rana temporaria

Ural Owl - Strix uralensis

Bocian čierny - Ciconia nigra

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Adults can grow to almost 8 cm and are generally some shade of brown or olive brown in colour with a dark patch behind the eye. Their head is flattened with big eyes and wide mouth with a long, sticky tongue. It has four toes on its forelimbs and five toes on hind limbs connected with a membrane for swimming. The frog’s skin is smooth and needs to be moist at all times which limits this species to habitats close to fresh water where it spawns and the tadpoles develop.

Ural owl is one the biggest species of owls, preceded only by Eagle Owl (size: 600 mm; wings: 380 mm; tail: 302 mm). The plumage is pale, buffish grey-brown with copious dark brown streaking on the back and back of the head and underparts. It has a round head with plain buffish-grey facial discs, orange-yellow bill and small black eyes. The tail is rounded, when flying the wings are dominant. It hunts both at days and nights. It nests on forked trees, tree hollows and often takes nest after other raptors. It feeds on small mammals, small birds, frogs and insects. It is protected all year long.

Black Stork foods predominantly on fish and amphibians. It builds large nests on high trees. In May when returning back to Slovakia, they find their old nests fixing it and filling up with moss. After mating the female lays 1 -6 eggs and the young ones hatch in June. Black Stork nestles in the same spot for more then 6 years.

Great Spotted Woodpecker- Dendrocopos major Euroasian Jay- Garrulus glandarius

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Its feathers are black and white. Black line zigzags from the beak to the nape distinguish this species form other woodpeckers as well as crimson colored undertail coverts which are in contrast with the dull white abdomen. Males have a crimson spot on the nape, which is black in females and red in nestlings. It flies in long curves. It taps the bark. Great Spotted Woodpecker is a non-migratory bird, which however may move to warmer parts of southern Europe.

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It is the same size as pigeons. Its overall body color is pinkish-brown. The face is more grayish white, bordered on either side by a broad black malar stripe. The most distinguishing mark, however, is the blue-an-black barred feathers on the wings. Its tail is black and wings are white. Male and female birds do not differ in color, the young are darker and less colorful. When flying, a distinctive white mark above the black tail can be clearly seen. It flies in curves, flutters and jumps when on the ground. It can imitate the sound of other birds and animals as well as many other sounds.

Perdix - Perdix perdix Northern Goshawk- Accipiter gentilis

Common Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus

Common Raven - Corvus corax

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Perdix is a medium-sized partridge with dull-colored feathers. Its habitat is in dry areas and fields with bushes. The female nest is a lined ground scrape laid out with blades of grass. They fly low fluttering their wings swiftly.

Unlike other raptors it does not like to circle around when foraging. Thanks to its wide wings and a long tail it manages to maneuver through dense woods, taking prey as small as birds, squirrels and as large as hares. When hunting it sits on the branches of trees or flies low above the ground in order to found a prey.

The Common Cuckoo is a dove-sized bird with a slender body and a long tail. It is grayish with a white abdomen and dark straps. The common cuckoo does not build its own nest. It is a brood parasite, which lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species, particularly of Dunnocks, Meadow Pipits, and Eurasian Reed Warblers. Often it lays an egg in the vicinity of another nest and subsequently transfers it, what is the most common and often the only possible way of getting the egg to “foster” parents. During the transportation of the egg, the cuckoo may, however, accidentally swallow it. In the forests the cuckoo can be easily recognized by its distinctive sound.Raven is a large (650 mm long) , all-black passerine bird

with a large and slightly curved bill. It has a longish, strongly graduated tail, black bill and limbs. In sunlight, the plumage can display a blue or purple sheen. It prefers wooded areas. Like other corvids, Ravens can mimic sounds from their environment. They have a wide range of vocalizations. Ravens are extremely versatile and opportunistic in finding sources of nutrition, feeding on carrion, insects, cereal grains, berries, fruit, small animals and food waste.

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos

Female Mallard

Male Mallard

European Hedgehock-Erinaceus concolor Red Squirel–Sciurus vulgaris

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Mallard or Wild Duck is an aquatic bird which can fly well, swim and dive. It is omnivorous – feeding on a large variety of seeds and plant matter and roots as well as small animals including insects, frogs, larvae, crustaceans and worms. The young are not fed, but search for the food on their own. Wild Ducks are partially migrant, which means that some fly to Southern parts in the autumn whilst others remain for the winter. The male duck distinguishes from the female by different coloring of the plumage.

Zajac poľný (Lepus europaeus)

European Hare - Lepus europaeus

European Otter - Lutra lutra

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The European Hedgehog is a rodent-like mammal. It has an egg-shaped body that measures 17.5 to 20 cm and weights 400-900 g. It has bristling spines which are a pale yellowish colour. The rest of the body is brownish colour with a white spot on the chest. It lives up to 10 years. When searching for food it produces gasping sounds. Hedgehogs are solitary and nocturnal animals hibernating 4-6 months. The body temperature may decrease to 2 °C in the winter.

The red squirrel eats mostly seeds of trees, mushrooms, nuts, berries, young shoots and also meat of small animals. The front teeth – incisors grow continuously and are sharpened by food. Squirrels live on trees. They can climb very fast and jump from one tree to another balancing with the fury tail.

Most of the hare’s body is covered in yellowish-brown to grayish-brown fur but has white fur on the underside. The ears of the European hare are grayish white, very long, nimble and often tipped down. The hare lives a largely solitary lifestyle and hunts at dusk. As being extremely fast and excellent jumpers they can often escape their predators. The wild hare gives birth 3-4 times each with 2-3 litter. Its diet consist solely of plants.

It is an aquatic mammal with a long slender body, small ears and long thick tail. Around wide mouth it has tactual whisker used for hunting in dark and muddy waters. Its habit is clean water with abundant of food and places to hide. The otter is an carnivore, feeding mainly on fish, insects and crayfish. It is an endangered species and it protected by the law.

Red Fox - Vulpes vulpes Grey wolf - Canis lupus

Euroasian Lynx - Lynx lynx Roe Deer - Capreolus capreolus

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It is largely spread all around Europe. On average, adults measure 35–50 cm and weigh 4-10 kg. It prefers a solitary life. Being a nocturnal animal, it looks for food rarely during the day and prefers to sleep in its burrow. Red foxes dig their own burrows or may use the burrows of badgers, hares and other large mammals. Fox is an excellent hunter; it primarily feeds on small rodents, though it may also target, game birds, reptiles and hares. Fruit and vegetable is also eaten on occasion.

It is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family and similar to German Shephard in its body structure and color. Adult wolves weigh 30-60 kg. Gray wolves are slender animals with long and robust limbs. The front paws have five toes each, while the back paws have four. Female wolf is less powerful and has a narrower muzzle. The senses of his species are highly developed. It is very careful and alert especially when having enough food. Wolves may become dangerous for people only when they are hungry, although generally they tend to avoid encounters with humans.

Red Deer – Cervus elaphus

Wild Boar - Sus scrofa

Brown Bear - Ursus arctos

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It is an omnivorous cat, distributed mainly in the forests of central and northern Slovakia. It has robust limbs, short tail and yellowish fur with black stains. The average weight is about 35 kilograms. It lives solitarily except of the mating season. Lynx searches for prey mostly in the evening, at night or at down. It is a predator, preying on animals of smaller size but also larger animals e.f. wild boar, chamois, and Roe deer. The main method of hunting is stalking, sneaking and jumping on prey, although they are also ambush predators when conditions are suitable. Lynx is a protected species.

It is one of our largest forest animals. It is an herbivore and ruminant animal. Roe Deer has an excellent sense of hearing and sight. They can run fast on its thin limbs with two toes and a black hoof. Only males have antlers which they loose in autumn and regrow in spring.

The Red Deer inhabits most of Europe, except of its northernmost parts, Asia, northwestern Africa and America. The Slovak Red Deer is considered to be a subspecies of Cervus elaphus hippelaphus and Cervus elaphus montanous as the indigenous deer became extinct in the past, the present population is of hybrid descent. It inhabits open deciduous woodland, upland moors and open mountainous areas, natural grasslands and meadows. They can be also found in coniferous forests or farm lands where they find shelter in crops.

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Wild boar lives in humid woods. The female is of smaller size. Boars are crepuscular, foraging in early morning and late afternoon resting in brushwood at day. They are omnivorous, eating almost anything they come across, including grass, nuts, berries, carrion, roots, insects and small reptiles. They do not chew food. Litter size is typically 4-6 striped piglets that are highly protected by the sow.

Brown Bear is a large and robust animal. Its distinctive feature is a hump between the blades. Although there is a minimal difference in the size of the body among sexes, male weight twice as much as female having smaller and lighter bones. Brown bears have very large and curved claws. They are omnivores and feed predominantly on a variety of plant products, including berries, roots, and sprouts, and fungi, as well as meat products such as fish, insects, and small mammals. It hibernates in winter. Brown Bear is a protected species.