http://www.ecotours.hu/birds/europe/belarus/belarus

Activity level:

Generally easy to
moderate walks
Eastern Europe / Belarus

Birding in the Ultimate of East of Europe

Belarus will most probably become one of the prime birding destinations in Europe. This country that is the Eastern neighbour of Poland is second to none. The variety of birds that includes several highlight species very rarely seen in other parts of Europe is only one aspect. Imagine roads taking you through ancient forests, hundreds of meandering rivers, the biggest marshes and fens of the continent, while you hardly meet any traffic or even people. Truly an unbeatable paradise remaining intact and wild, no wonder Belarus conserves huge population of Bison, Lynx and Wolf. We have searched good quality hotels situated close to the best birding sites. Tasty local cusine, witnessing true rural life in small ancient villages are part of our trip. This country is perfectly safe, yet, you can experience the taste of an era that is already left behind in most parts of Eastern Europe. Our tour visits three key places: Belowezhkaya Pushcha NP adjoining its smaller counterpart the World famous Bielowieza NP in Poland, then Sporovo Reserve protecting 90% of the world’s Aquatic Warbler population, and finally Pripyatsky NP that is a paradise for sought-after waders offering a unique variety of primarily Eastern species.

Fact File
- 9 day long birding holiday
- start and finish in Minsk, Belarus
- using 3 accommodations

Highlights
-visiting 2 National Parks conserving ancient forests and endless floodplains
-wide variety of undisturbed habitats and wildlife
-many truly Eastern bird species in large numbers
-scenic rural countryside with painted wooden houses and friendly people

Accommodation
2 nights in Belowezhkaya Pushcha NP
2 nights at Sporovo Reserve
4 nights at Pripyatsky NP

Departure Dates
http://www.ecotours.hu/calendar
28April - 6May, 2012

Price
Ask for the actual price.

Our price includes:
- all travel as noted in the itinerary;
- all accommodation based on shared rooms, single rooms for extra charge;
- 3 meals per day, generally breakfast, packed lunch, dinner (consists of at least two courses);
- services of the leader(s);
- trip materials.

Not included:
- flights to and from London/Minsk;
- optional programmes to places of interest and entrance fees involved;
- airport and other departure taxes, tips;
- food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries;
- excess baggage charges;
- telephone calls;
- alcoholic beverages;
- compulsory personal insurance.
If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.

Activity level
Easy walks; rain and colder weather possible

Itinerary

1-2

After landing at the Airport we drive to Sporovo Reserve, where we will stay for 2 nights. The forest close to our accommodation holds some breeding pairs of Great Grey Owl, and we hope we can admire this magnificent owl. Little, Spotted Crakes and Corncrake are all loud at this time of the year, which gives us the chance to spot them, but the evening will surely be spent admiring the characteristic songflight of Europe’s rarest songbird, the Aquatic Warbler. Great Grey Shrike, Goshawk, Hen and Montague’s Harrier, Common Rosefinch, Golden Oriole, Penduline and Bearded Tit are all common here.

3-6

Our next base will be near the famous Pripyatsky NP. We spend 4 nights in Turov in a comfortable hotel located on the bank of the river. Several sought-after shorebirds such as Great Snipe, Terek and Marsh Sandpiper breed on the banks of the untamed Pripyat river that floods vast areas of meadows and forests in spring. On Turov Meadow evenings often produce spectacular gatherings of hundreds of migrating Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff including many extremly colorful males, but elegant Spotted Redshanks are also found in good numbers.
Surely one of the strongest candidate for bird of the trip will be Azure Tit. Belarus is the only place in Europe where we have good chances to find this stunning bird in its breeding habitat along the riparian willow forests of the Pripyat river.
We might have some time to discover the ancient oak, spruce and birch forests too. Easy walks can produce White-backed Woodpecker, but we might also find Collared and Red-breasted Flycatcher, Short-toed Treecreeper, Black, Middle and Three-toed Woodpecker. Thrush Nightingale, Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch, Golden Oriole, Citrine Wagtail are relatively easy to see in this magic place.

7-8

Our last base will be in the middle of the famous World Heritage Site, the Belowezhskaya Pushcha ancient forest. We will have easy walks amidst ancient trees and focus on species we migth have missed. The fairy tale woods hold Great Grey, Ural, Eagle, Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owls, all European woodpeckers, Crested Tit, Common Crossbill, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatcher. Along Lake Liadskoye Whooper Swan, Wood Sandpiper, Savi’s and River Warbler occur. Raptors inlcude White-tailed, Short-toed and Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Hen and Montague’s Harrier.

9	We drive back to the airport, birding en route.

Please note that the order of the visited areas might change to suit best the arrival/departure times & birding possibilities.