Spring in Europe’s most ancient forest
Poland, 9 days

Our Poland spring tour takes you to the most famous national parks of the country, Białowieża and Biebrza National Park. Białowieża National Park, established in 1947, is the largest and last undisturbed lowland primeval forest in Central Europe. Its area covers up to 10,500 hectares and is home to European Bison, Wolf, Lynx and Wildcat among others. 160 bird species are nesting within the park including Black Stork, Short-toed, Booted and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Hazel Grouse, Eagle Owl, Common Rosefinch, Nutcracker and Golden Oriole. There are about 250 bird species recorded, among them 14 species of birds of prey, 8 species of owls, and 8 species of woodpeckers.
Biebrza National Park is the largest national park in Poland. It was created in 1993 and covers nearly 60,000 hectares of vast marshes, wet meadows and woods. Between March and May most of the area is flooded by the Biebrza River creating a shallow lake that holds huge numbers of waterbirds. 275 bird species were recorded in the park and 186 permanently breed here, of which Aquatic Warbler, Greater Spotted Eagle and Great Snipe are the most notable ones. The park is also home to populations of Elk and Wolf.

Days 1-4
We meet our English speaking guide at Warsaw Airport and drive to Biebrza National Park. During the four days we will explore the most exciting and diverse parts of the park. One day we will start from Goniądz and continue along the high banks of the Biebrza River. Hundreds of song birds, calling cranes, Black-tailed Godwit and other waterbirds are active here during spring. We will look for both Lesser and Greater Spotted Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Hobby, White-winged, Whiskered and Black Tern, Black Stork, Hoopoe, Citrine Wagtail, Ortolan Bunting, Thrush Nightingale, Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch and Penduline Tit.
Only during the spring mating season can early morning expeditions be made to the displaying grounds of Black Grouse. Apart from Black Grouse other birds such as Common Crane, White Stork, Curlew, Red-backed and Great Grey Shrike, Golden Oriole can also be seen. On one of the evenings dusk will find us walking through the wetlands to the viewing point, from which the lek of Great Snipe, one of Europe’s most elusive and declining waders, can be observed.
We will also visit the Southern Basin of the Biebrza NP. One of the trails leads into the heart of Ławki Fen where Aquatic Warbler is calling from the vegetation. Other species such as Marsh, River and Savi’s Warbler and possibly Short-eared Owl and Nutcracker can also be found here, and Corn Crake might be heard from the platform. On our way back to Goniądz we can make one more stop to look for Nightjar.
Strolling on the trails of the Red Marsh Reserve, Biebrza's rich and diverse nature looks excellent. Bog and ancient oak forests, marshlands and even sand dunes can be explored. There is a possibility to find footprints of wolf and elk. Walking through the forest gives an opportunity to look for Crested Tit and woodpeckers are quite numerous here also. From the observation tower on the hill of Wilcza Góra we can enjoy the beautiful marshland panorama and watch soaring raptors such as Lesser and Greater Spotted Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and other birds like Black Stork, Hoopoe, Woodlark and Golden Oriole.
We will also explore marshes surrounding Jegrznia River, a tributary of Biebrza. This attractive river valley and its wet meadows are good for Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch, Red-backed Shrike, Corn Crake, Common Crane, Sparrowhawk and Montagu’s Harrier.
The Middle Basin of Biebrza National Park is characterized by flooded meadows and pastures where there are plenty of feeding areas for waders and marsh terns. Many other species come to feed here such as ducks, White Stork and Common Crane. The vast meadows and pastures provide hunting ground for raptors; White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier and Lesser Spotted Eagle may be seen here occasionally. Reedbeds hold Bearded Tit and Bittern.
Accomodation: hotel in Goniadz

Days 5-8
We leave Biebrza to transfer to Białowieża National Park. On our way we will stop at several sites. We will look for Roller in the typical agricultural landscape of small farms. At fishponds we will look for Red-necked and Black-necked Grebe, as well as different species of terns and gulls.
In the Strict Reserve of Białowieża National Park European Bison, Red Deer, Wild Boar, Lynx and Wolf make their year-round residence. We will look for Collared, Pied and Red-breasted Flycatcher, as well as White-backed, Three-toed, Black, Middle Spotted and Grey-headed Woodpecker. There is a chance for many birds in the forest such as Hawfinch, Icterine Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Red-backed Shrike or Wryneck to name just a few. With a bit of luck and patience we might see Hazel Grouse and Pygmy Owl in the forest, for which Białowieża is an important breeding site.
Our journey also leads to the water Siemianówka Reservoir in the northern part of the forest. Interesting birds such as ducks, White-tailed Eagle, Black Stork, Whiskered and White-winged Tern, Common Crane, Citrine Wagtail, Great White Egret and Hoopoe may be observed in this area. Spring birds include various species of waders, particularly Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Green and Wood Sandpiper.
Accomodation: hotel in Białowieża Village

Day 9
We drive back to Warsaw Airport to catch our flight back home.