Flora and fauna of the Austrian Carpathians

135 species of the Austrian Carpathians on karpaty.rocks — with photos, descriptions and a map. Most are in: Strážov Mountains (254), Tatras (232), Slovak Central Mountains (217), Slovak Ore Mountains (174). Use the filters to pick a range or other options; the map shows everything nearby.

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Edible only after cookingIn season nowHoney fungusArmillaria melleaHoney fungus mushrooms grow in large clusters on stumps and trees. Conditionally edible: only after thorough cooking. Season – August to October.

EdibleGolden chanterelleCantharellus cibariusEgg-yellow mushroom with thick folds instead of gills. Grows from June to October in beech and spruce forests.

Red Data Book of UkraineIn season nowGolden eagleAquila chrysaetosThe largest eagle of the Carpathians. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, only 10–15 pairs nest — a vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red deerCervus elaphusThe largest deer of the Carpathians. In September, its loud roar fills the mountains — the rut of the Red deer.

EdibleRed-capped scaber stalkLeccinum aurantiacumA mushroom with an orange-red cap and scaly stem that darkens when cut. It grows under aspen trees and is edible after thorough cooking.

In season nowSt John's wortHypericum perforatumYellow inflorescences on dry meadows and forest edges; leaves appear to be pierced with a needle. Blooms from June to August; a traditional herb for tea.

In season nowBlack woodpeckerDryocopus martiusThe largest woodpecker in Europe, black with a red cap. Its large cavities are later inhabited by owls, pigeons, and bats.

Deadly poisonousRed Data Book of UkraineDeadly nightshadeAtropa belladonnaTall grass of beech forests with shiny black berries in a star-shaped calyx. Deadly poisonous; listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Deadly poisonousIn season nowFuneral bellGalerina marginataA small brown mushroom on decaying wood with the same toxins as the death cap. A deadly lookalike of the honey fungus.

Wild boarSus scrofaWild boar is a common inhabitant of the Carpathian forests. A female with piglets can be dangerous: do not approach.

EdibleSummer cepBoletus reticulatusThe earliest 'white mushroom': light velvety cap and a net on the entire stem. It grows from May under beeches and oaks, edible.

Red Data Book of UkraineEuropean stag beetleLucanus cervusThe largest beetle in Europe with deer-like 'antlers'. It lives in old oak forests of the Carpathian foothills; a rare species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineBlack storkCiconia nigraA secretive forest relative of the white stork, feeding in the mountain streams of the Carpathians. A rare species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Edible only after cookingCommon juniperJuniperus communisA prickly coniferous shrub with bluish 'berries'-cones. In the high mountains of the Carpathians, it grows alongside mountain pine in krivolissia.

Sand lizardLacerta agilisThe most common lizard of sunny edges and clearings. In spring, males turn green, while females lay eggs in warm soil.

White storkCiconia ciconiaA large white bird with black wings and a red beak. It nests on poles and roofs in the villages of the Carpathian valleys and foothills.

Red Data Book of UkraineSmooth snakeCoronella austriacaA rare snake that is safe for humans, often confused with the viper and unjustly killed. Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineAesculapian snakeZamenis longissimusThe longest snake of the Ukrainian Carpathians, non-venomous and rare. Listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine as a vulnerable species.

Old World swallowtailPapilio machaonA large yellow and black butterfly with 'tails' on its hindwings. The caterpillar lives on wild carrot, dill, and other umbellifers.

In season nowFalse death capAmanita citrinaPale yellow mushroom with the smell of raw potatoes. Not edible by itself, but dangerous because it closely resembles the death cap.

Common toadBufo bufoThe large warty toad with copper eyes. In the Carpathians, it rises to 2000 m and migrates en masse to ponds in spring.

EdibleRaspberryRubus idaeusWild Raspberry of clearings and edges: small aromatic berries that easily detach from the receptacle. It ripens in July–August, in the mountains until September.

In season nowEurasian jayGarrulus glandariusA colorful forest bird with a blue 'mirror' on its wing. Its creaky call is the first to warn the forest about a human.

EdibleRed Data Book of UkraineWild garlic (ramsons)Allium ursinumSpring 'wild garlic' in moist beech forests. A species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, while its lookalikes — lily of the valley, autumn crocus, and white hellebore — are deadly poisonous.

In season nowEurasian bullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaA sturdy bird with a red breast and a black cap. It nests in the Carpathian forests and decorates gardens in winter.

PoisonousFly agaricAmanita muscariaThe red cap with white flakes is the most famous poisonous mushroom. Common in spruce and birch forests of the Carpathians from July to October.

In season nowYarrowAchillea millefoliumWhite clusters of small flower heads and feathery leaves on every meadow — from the village to the polonyna. Blooms from June to September.

In season nowWhite-throated dipperCinclus cinclusA bird of mountain streams with a white 'bib' that dives and runs along the bottom against the current. It can be seen all year round.

PoisonousRed Data Book of UkraineSnowdropGalanthus nivalisThe first flower of the year in the beech and hornbeam forests of the foothills. It blooms from February to April; listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

PoisonousColtsfootTussilago farfaraThe first yellow 'sunny flowers' on clay slopes in early spring, still without leaves. Contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Red Data Book of UkraineEurasian eagle-owlBubo buboThe largest owl in Europe with orange eyes and feathered 'ears'. A rare species in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

European beechFagus sylvaticaA tree with light gray smooth bark that forms the Carpathian primeval forests — a UNESCO World Heritage site. It grows up to a height of about 1400 m.

Deadly poisonousRed Data Book of UkraineAutumn crocusColchicum autumnalePink-lilac flowers on autumn meadows without a single leaf. Deadly poisonous; in spring, its leaves are confused with wild garlic.

Red Data Book of UkraineMartagon lilyLilium martagonThe only wild lily of Ukraine: pink-purple 'turbans' with dark spots on the edges of forests and mountain meadows. It blooms in June - July.

Red Data Book of UkraineLesser spotted eagleClanga pomarinaA small eagle of the Carpathian foothills that hunts in meadows and pastures, migrating to Africa for the winter. A rare species in the Red Data Book.

Norway sprucePicea abiesNorway spruce is the main coniferous tree of the Carpathians: a dark sharp crown, prickly needles, and long cones that hang downwards. It grows up to the forest boundary.