Flora and fauna of the Austrian Carpathians

Found 135 species
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Seven-spot ladybirdSeven-spot ladybirdCoccinella septempunctataThe most common ladybird in Ukraine: red elytra with seven black spots. A predator that consumes numerous aphids.
Red crossbillRed crossbillLoxia curvirostraA bird with a crossed bill that extracts seeds from cones. A resident of spruce forests, capable of nesting even in winter.
Panther capPoisonousPanther capAmanita pantherinaThe Panther cap is a brown mushroom with white spots and a bulb with a collar at the base of the stem. It is poisonous; it occurs from July to October.
OreganoOreganoOriganum vulgareA fragrant herb of sunny clearings with pink-purple inflorescences — wild oregano. It blooms from July to September.
Grey wagtailGrey wagtailMotacilla cinereaThe grey-yellow wagtail with the longest tail, running over the stones of mountain streams and constantly swaying it.
Common hazelEdibleCommon hazelCorylus avellanaA bush of Common hazel. It flowers with catkins as early as March, and the nuts ripen in August; it grows in the underbrush of deciduous and mixed forests.
Slow wormSlow wormAnguis fragilisA legless lizard often mistaken for a snake. Non-venomous, slow, and beneficial: it eats slugs in forests and gardens.
European moleEuropean moleTalpa europaeaA subterranean hunter of earthworms, indicated by mounds of soil — molehills. It does not hibernate and digs tunnels all year round.
Wood anemonePoisonousWood anemoneAnemonoides nemorosaWhite stars of early spring that blanket deciduous forests before the leaves appear on the trees. Poisonous, do not pick for bouquets.
BlusherEdible only after cookingBlusherAmanita rubescensBlusher, which reddens when broken. Conditionally edible only after boiling, raw is poisonous; it can be easily confused with the poisonous Panther Cap.
Parasol mushroomEdibleParasol mushroomMacrolepiota proceraA large mushroom of clearings and glades: a scaly cap up to 30 cm, a tall stem with a snake-like pattern, and a movable ring. Only the caps are eaten.
Chicken of the woodsEdible only after cookingChicken of the woodsLaetiporus sulphureusBright yellow-orange "shelves" on tree trunks. Young edges are conditionally edible after boiling; the mushroom is not eaten raw.
European hornetEuropean hornetVespa crabroThe largest wasp in Europe: workers up to 2.5 cm, queens up to 3.5 cm. Not aggressive far from the nest, but its sting is painful.
Common brimstoneCommon brimstoneGonepteryx rhamniA lemon-yellow butterfly that is one of the first to appear in spring. It lives as an adult for almost a year and hibernates among the plants.
Beautiful demoiselleRed Data Book of UkraineBeautiful demoiselleCalopteryx virgoA dragonfly with dark blue shiny wings that lives only near clean flowing waters. Red Data Book of Ukraine: vulnerable species.
Sycamore mapleSycamore mapleAcer pseudoplatanusSycamore maple, celebrated in songs. In the Carpathians, it grows in beech forests and mixed forests, often rising higher than beech in the mountains.
Broadleaf plantainBroadleaf plantainPlantago majorA rosette of broad leaves with longitudinal veins right on the path. The Broadleaf plantain 'follows' people and withstands being trampled.
Silver birchSilver birchBetula pendulaSilver birch with drooping branches. In the Carpathians, it is the first to colonize clearings, burnt areas, and abandoned meadows.
Common puffballEdibleCommon puffballLycoperdon perlatumA white 'ball' with small spines on forest paths. Edible only when young, while the flesh inside is pure white and homogeneous.
Ring ouzelRing ouzelTurdus torquatusA black thrush with a white 'crescent' on its chest. In Ukraine, it nests only in the Carpathians — in the upper forests and krivolissia.
European ashEuropean ashFraxinus excelsiorA tall tree with a lacy crown and black buds. It grows in the deciduous forests and valleys of the Carpathians; in Europe, it is threatened by a fungal disease.
White wagtailWhite wagtailMotacilla albaA slender gray-white-black bird that constantly wags its long tail. It is found near water, roads, homes, and sheepfolds.
Silver-washed fritillarySilver-washed fritillaryArgynnis paphiaA large orange butterfly of forest clearings with silver stripes on the underside of its wings. It flies in the height of summer.
Water pipitWater pipitAnthus spinolettaA modest bird of the alpine meadows and polonynas that sings during its display flight. In Ukraine, it nests only in the Carpathians.
Barn swallowBarn swallowHirundo rusticaThe Barn swallow has long tail 'streamers' and a reddish throat. It builds nests from mud inside stables, barns, and under the roofs of houses.
Common hornbeamCommon hornbeamCarpinus betulusA tree with a ribbed silvery-gray trunk. In the Carpathians, it grows in the foothills and lower parts of the mountains alongside beech and oak.
Tinder fungusIn season nowTinder fungusFomes fomentariusGray 'hoof-shaped' fungus on the trunks of beeches and birches. Inedible, but it was once used to make tinder for fire.
Shaggy ink capEdibleShaggy ink capCoprinus comatusA tall white mushroom with a scaly cap that blackens and dissolves with age. Edible only when young, while the gills are white.
Jersey tigerJersey tigerEuplagia quadripunctariaA moth that flies during the day: black-cream forewings and bright red hindwings. A priority species of Natura 2000.
Great titIn season nowGreat titParus majorThe largest and most common tit: black head, white cheeks, yellow belly with a black stripe. It lives in the Carpathians all year round.
Dog roseEdibleDog roseRosa caninaA thorny bush with pale pink flowers and red fruits, which are collected in autumn for tea. It grows in forest edges and pastures.
Common valerianCommon valerianValeriana officinalisA tall plant of wet meadows and stream banks with pinkish-white fragrant inflorescences. It blooms from June to August.
Red admiralRed admiralVanessa atalantaA black butterfly with red bands and white spots. Traveler: it arrives in the Carpathians from the south every year.
Horse mintHorse mintMentha longifoliaWild mint with grayish hairy leaves and purple flower spikes. It scents the entire stream bank, blooming in July – August.
European mantisEuropean mantisMantis religiosaA large green or brown predatory insect with its front legs folded in a 'praying' position. In the Carpathians, it lives in the warm foothills and valleys.
Small tortoiseshellSmall tortoiseshellAglais urticaeA reddish butterfly with black and yellow spots and blue dots along the edges of its wings. It flies from villages to polonynas and hibernates in attics.