We are currently not running this holiday until May 2011

Eastern Poland

Eastern Poland boasts some of the most unspoilt habitats in Europe, with a landscape of old-world agriculture, where working horses still pull ploughs and livestock still run amongst the farm buildings. You can still find fish ponds and acres of uncultivated terrain scattered around the flower-rich countryside. It is like stepping back in time or seeing a 'Turner' canvas come to life. These old-fashioned methods of agriculture are responsible for supplying an abundance of rare European birds and mammals. It has many extensive natural habitats from ancient forests and river valleys to freshwater lakes and mountains, with it's most famous forest being Bialowieza, one part being the last deciduous woodland in Europe to have never been managed by human hands. Here there are raptors, owls, woodpeckers, passerines, plus large mammalslike the incredibly rare European Bison. We also visit the Biebrza Marshes, one of Poland's most important wetlands proving to be another haven for several rare breeding species. Poland has consistantly proved to be a very popular destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike - this trip will be no exception.

Day 1 :- We fly into the country's capital Warsaw where on meeting our local guide he shall take you on a three hour journey inland to our first hotel destination in the heart of the ancient Bialowieza Forest. En-route there shall be several stops for the local wildlife amid the unspoilt countryside and agricultural farmland. We will see lots of White Storks in the fields as 25% of the world's population live here in Poland!, along side Grey Partridge, Common Quail, Rooks and the esatern race of Jackdaw. If time allows we shall stop at the impressive River Bug Valley, a place with spectacular views where we should find Little Terns, Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher and many migrants with Caspian Tern and Terek Sandpiper being possible. There are sandy dunes, which are scattered with Juniper, which hold Roller, Tawny Pipit, Woodlark, Northern Wheatear, Turtle Dove, Ortolan Bunting and Hoopoe. Four nights in the Bialowieza Forest.

Days 2, 3 & 4 :- Over the next three days we will visit many areas around the Bialowieza Forest including a morning walk around the strictly controlled nature reserve of the Bialowieza National Park a truly wonderful experience. This massive woodland is the largest remaining piece of European forest covering an area of over 500Km2 in Poland alone. Woodpeckers will feature heavily during our time here and we could possibly find an incredible ten species including Three toed, White backed, Grey headed, Black, Middle & Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Wryneck and an outside chance of Syrian Woodpecker - what a haul!. By the end of May all of the summer migrants will be on territory including Collared & Red-breasted Flycatchers, Barred, Icterine  & Wood Warblers, Hawfinch, Common Redstart, Nutcracker and Crested Tits. We shall make an evening visit looking for European Nightjar, Tengmalm's & Pygmy Owl and raptors include Honey & Common Buzzards, Lesser Spotted, Booted & Short-toed Eagles, Goshawk and HobbyWe will visit the rivers valleys where Barred & Marsh Warblers are common and with local knowledge we shall hear of any Greenish & Blyth's Reed Warblers that might be on territory. One day we will head for Siemianwka Lake where our target species is the gorgeous Citrine Wagtail with some 30 breeding pairs in this area. Also around the lake we should find White-winged Black, Black & Whiskered Terns, Common Cranes, Great White Egret, White-tailed & Lesser Spotted Eagles, Osprey, and Red Kite. The forest and rivers also bring an opportunity to encounter one of Europe's rarest mammals the European Bison, plus specialities like Wild Boar, Elk, Red & Roe Deer, Red Squirrel and Pine Marten.

After breakfast we shall pack up the vehicle and continue east to the famous Biebrza Marshes where we shall spend two days exploring these fantastic wetlands. Much of the time will be spent around the Middle Basin where there are many boardwalks and viewing platforms from which to see the innumerable wildfowl, waders, terns & gulls.  Hundreds of White-winged Black Terns breed here in good years and Ruff can sometimes be seen lekking, however one of the main targets is Greater Spotted Eagle, (about nine pairs  breed) but they are far from easy as their commoner (and very similar) cousin the Lesser Spotted Eagle also breed in good numbers. One of the highlights of the holiday will be our evening visit to the Great Snipe lek near Barwik, an incredible chance to witness one of Europe's most rare & elusive waders in full display, plus roding Woodcock & Common Snipe. The number of species seen n this portion of the tour alone will be exceptional with other highlights being all three marsh terns, Great White Egrets, Black tailed Godwits, Curlew & Wood Sandpipers, Dunlin, White tailed Eagles, Marsh & Montagu's Harriers,  and another one of Europe's rarest breeders - Aquatic Warbler. Elk can sometimes be seen from the tower hides and we may also find Thrush Nightingale, Nutcracker, Crested Tit and Common Rosefinch in the area. 

Day 5 :- Today we leave our hotel and head for the town of Bialystok stopping enroute at Tykocin to view it's Bee-eater colony. On the outskirts of Bialystok we shall visit the Dojlidy fish ponds where we hope to find Red-necked & Black necked Grebes (in Summer plumage), Whooper Swans, Great & Little Bittern, Garganey, Common Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Osprey, Common Terns, Great Reed & Savis Warblers, and Penduline Tit. We will then continue on towards the ancient forest of Bialowieza again stopping en-route at Nowosady for Roller that will hopefully be back on their breeding grounds. Once we have arrived at Bialowieza Village we shall check into our accommodation and if time allows we will make a foray into this vast woodand around the nearby “Wysokie Bagno” reserve.           

Days 6, 7, 8 & 9 :- 

Day 10 :- Sadly today we have to leave this wonderful country, making the journey back to Warsaw for our flight  to the UK, if time allows we will stop en-route at one of the many wetland sites for some extra birdwatching.

Day 2 :- Early this morning we will have an optional pre-breakfast visit to a nearby Black Grouse lek where we will watch these magnificent game birds 'strut their stuff' in an awesome display of feathers. After breakfast we then visit the excellent Orzysz Military Area, and with the assistance from a very knowledgable local forestry worker we shall drive the undisturbed tracks and take a good walk with the hope of finding - Black Grouse, Great Bittern, Black Stork, Common Crane, White tailed & Lesser Spotted Eagles, Honey & Common Buzzard, Montagu's Harriers, Black & Red Kites.

Day 2/4: Bialowieza Primaeval Forest

Visit to the Bialowieza Primaeval Forest. It is the last really primeval lowland forest in Europe of oak, lime, ash & spruce with much dying and fallen wood. There are also swampy areas and marshes along river valleys. This wonderful world is inhabited by numerous animals which have maintained the ecological and behavioural patterns of the original habitats as Swifts nest in tree holes here. It is an excellent place to find Woodpeckers including Three-toed, White-backed, Grey-headed, Black, Lesser&Middle-spotted Woodpeckers and Wryneck as we know nestholes of all of them. Hazel Grouse are still common and possible to atract with a special whistle. There are also such an elusive birds as Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers, Hawfinch, Crossbill, Wood &Icterine Warrbler, Nutcracker, Redwing, Gold&Firecrest, Willow&Marsh, White headed Long tailed and Crested Tit. We will visit some rivers valleys where Lesser-spotted, Short-toed, Booted and other Eagles hunt.There are Honey Buzzard, Hobby and Goshawk as well. Barred and Marsh Warblers are common in this habitat. Bialowieza Forest is also the place every year Greenish and Blyth Reed Warbler are observed. If any birds we will know about it, for sure. During evenings we will also seek out a Pygmy & Tengmalm's Owl and Nightjar localities. Our local guide will attract this amazing birds. It is also the best time for mammals. We will search forest for European Bison which live in good numbers in Bialowieza - over 400. We will be driving along the forest road to spot them. There are also numerous Red Deer and Wild Boars which are hunted by Wolves and Lynx which are ocassionally seen.

Target Species: Three-toed, White-backed, Grey-headed, Black, Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Wryneck, Greenish&Blyth Reed Warbler, Red-breasted & Collared Flycatchers, Nutcracker, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Lesser-spotted, Short-toed & Booted Eagles and Pygmy Owl.

Overnight in Bialowieza

Day 5: Bialystok Fishponds & Siemianówka Reservoir

Passage to Biebrza Marshes where we will spend another 3 nights. Some breaks on the way. The first we will stop at wonderful birdwatching site - Siemianówka Reservoir – an artificial Lake on the Narew River which is breeding place amongst others of White-tailed and Golden Eagles, Osprey, Citrine Wagtail, Marsh Sandpiper, Whooper Swan, Whiskered & Black Terns and Pontic Gull. Our next stop is at the amazing fishpond complex where, amongst breeding birds we will find Whooper Swan, 5 species of Grebes with Black-necked & Red-necked and some years Slavonian Grebe, Reed Bunting, Penduline Tit. It is the best place to observe Bittern and Little Bittern during our tour. Warblers include Great Reed, Reed, Savi’s, Marsh and some years Blyth's Reed Warbler. We will also visit the very northern terytory of Syrian Woodpecker and Bee eaters. Arrival to the pension, dinner and walk for Crakes: Corncrake, Little&Spotted Crake.

Overnight in nice pension on the river bank. Tree Sparrow, Golden Oriole, Linnet and Serin in the garden, hmm....

Target Species: Syrian Woodpecker, Marsh Sandpiper, Whooper Swan, Black-necked, Red-necked & Slavonian Grebe, Citrine Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Penduline Tit, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Ortolan Bunting, Bee eaters and European Roller.

Overnight in nice pension in Biebrza Marshes

DAY 6/7: Biebrza marshes

Two days we will spend in the Biebrza River Basin where marshes and scrubby fens are interspersed with managed grassland. We will start with observing the Black Grouse lekking. It will be also oportunity to see fights of Ruff, every bird having individual colours. Other waders are present as well on the flooded meadows with numerous breeding Godwits, Curlew, Redshank, single Dunlin and Marsh Sandpipers. Big flocks of migrating Spotted Redshank, Wood sanpipers, Greenshank with some Temninck's & Little Stint. Geese on the passage are mainly White fronted, Bean and Greylag with single Lesser White fronted and Red breasted Goose. Breeding Crane and many more non breeding in big groups on the meadows and flying overheads.

Walk into marshes along tracks where we will concentrate on birds of prey with Spotted, Lesser-spotted, Short-toed and White-tailed Eagles. It has also been the Steppe Eagle present the last few years.

There are many pairs of Montagu's Harrier and more and more Pallid Harriers the last seasons. Falcons are represented with Peregrine and Red footed Falcon which is not rare on the passage in May.

We will have an unforgettable adventure observing huge colony of White-winged Black Tern where Scarlet Rosefinch „Pleased to meet You”

We will search for Great Reed, Reed, Sedge, Savi's, River, Barred and Grasshopper Warbler, Bearded & Penduline Tits and lovely Bluethroat.

Continuing our birdwatching from the towers and roads to find the most interesting breeding birds with Bittern and Little Bittern, Great White Egret, numerous ducks with Garganey, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Little Gull and others. In the late afternoon you will have a chance to observe four species of Snipes in one place. Common Snipe and will fly in the afternoon over your heads. A bit later we will have the unforgettable images of Great Snipe courtship displays with leks in full swing! Roding male Woodcocks will fly overhead. With a bit of luck Jack Snipe. Everything will be to the accompaniment of numerous Corncrakes and Spotted Crakes calling.

The second evening in this region we will walk to observe the other Polish speciality - Aquatic Warbler with Thrush Nightingale song and River Warbler accompaniment.

Mammals are represented by the king of swamps – the majestic Elk which lives here in large numbers so that it is easy to see individuals and sometimes several together from the watchtowers. We will also observe the workaholic Beavers and with a bit of luck Otter which often live in their neighbourhood and are very frequent in the area. Butterflies which occur this time are Violet Cooper, Camberwell beuty, Clouded apollo and Swalowtail. Many flowering plants with Lady's Slipper Orchid.

Target Species: Great-spotted Eagle, Thrush Nightingale, Great Snipe, Aquatic Warbler, Corncrake, Spotted and Little Crake,White winged Black Tern.

Overnight in nice pension in Biebrza Marshes.

Day 8: Departure
Morning birding, breakfast and depart for Warszawa. When we arrive in the capital of Poland there should be some time for shopping and a short sightseeing tour of the Old Town, which was completely destroyed during last war, quickly rebuilt and has since been declared a World Heritage Site. After lunch we will take out departure for home

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