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WildWings, 577 Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3AF.UK
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Set in far north eastern Poland we travel ‘back in time’ for some of the finest birding in Europe. After over ten years of operating our famous bird festival in this bird-rich area, rising prices, especially since Poland joined the EU, have meant a more conventional bird tour offers better birding value for your money. We have now upgraded this holiday to a two-centre which now includes much guided birding but still offers you flexibility during our stay at the world-famous Bialoweiza Forest.
Bialowieza Forest is justly renowned as the finest remaining virgin lowland forest in Europe. The primeval core of the forest is a magical place, dominated by enormous oaks, limes, poplars, hornbeams, pines and spruces. The oldest trees are truly ancient, believed to be over 600 years old, and the tallest are over 50 metres high. Here, and in the adjacent forest, marshes, lakes and fields, speciality birds include all nine north European woodpeckers, most notably Black, Three-toed and White-backed plus many other exciting birds such as White-tailed and Lesser Spotted Eagles, (Greater Spotted Eagle in 2007), Goshawk, five breeding species of grebe, Whiskered and White-winged Black Terns, Crane, Black Stork, Hazelhen, Corncrake, Hoopoe, Roller, Golden Oriole, Nutcracker, Red-backed and Great Grey Shrikes, Thrush Nightingale, Great Reed Warbler, River Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Barred Warbler, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers, Citrine Wagtail, Penduline Tit, Hawfinch and Common Rosefinch. We have been able to see all nine north European woodpecker species on every previous Polish Bird Festival, no mean feat and a fantastic tribute to our Polish guides and we expect the same success with this new trip. Early morning is by far the best time to see most birds, but Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owls can be heard at dusk, indeed we are often lucky and see a Pygmy Owl at least one evening during the week. Lake Siemianowka is only a few miles away by road and will be one of the included excursions. Highlights include breeding White-tailed Eagles, Common Cranes, Whiskered Terns, Caspian Gulls and Citrine Wagtails. Some of the included excursions will have an early start, some later in the day as they will finish at or after dusk. We will also visit a Great Snipe lek one evening.
The famous Biebrza and Narew Marshes are some of the best in northeast Europe and are where we spend the second part of this holiday. Aquatic Warbler is undoubtedly the star bird we shall seek but will represent the tip of an avian iceberg. Other birds we can expect include more eagles, Montagu’s and Marsh Harriers, Hobby, Cranes, White and Black Storks, Garganey, White-winged Black and Whiskered Terns, Black-tailed Godwits, Little Gull, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Savi’s Warbler, Blue-headed Wagtail, Fieldfare, Tawny Pipit, Ortolan Bunting, Woodlark , Bluethroat plus passage waders such as Little and Temminck’s Stints.
Mammals including European Beaver, European Bison, Otter, Pine Marten, Red Squirrel, Wild Boar, Moose (Elk), Red & Roe Deer, Badger, Lynx (once) and Wolf (thrice) have all been seen on our previous Polish trips. Dawn and dusk is best for mammal viewing.
The Hotels:
Bialowieza (Forest) Less than 200 yards from the forest edge, is clean and modern with good facilities, a restaurant serving good food, and two bars. All rooms have a TV, telephone, private facilities and a balcony. Lifts serve the upper two floors. Additional facilities include a sauna, bicycles for hire, and there’s a nearby shop, a post office and the National Park visitor centre. Beware the singing Thrush Nightingales and Corncrakes outside your window – they may keep you awake! Walk out of your room and within yards enjoy birds such as Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Barred, River and Marsh Warblers, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Montagu’s Harrier, Black Redstart, Hawfinch and Common Rosefinch, most of which will be singing. White Storks are common and even nest in the hotel grounds, viewable from the balconies. Walk just a couple of hundred yards down the road to look for Beavers and Otters. Head into the adjacent forest and the bird and mammal list is even more mouth watering.
Goniadz (Marshes). Another modern hotel, all rooms with private facilities. Set by the banks of the River Biebrza itself, with views over part of the marshes. Great birding in the hotel’s gardens and by looking out over the river including all three species of marsh tern in 2007. The property also ‘suffers’ from Thrush Nightingales in the grounds.
Primeval forest, unspoilt marshlands, and a farming community practising low intensive agriculture all combine to ensure a holiday filled with birds, butterflies and great plants, many of which we will find to be common here but are rare or have disappeared completely from other parts of Europe including the U.K. Small wonder the Polish Bird Festival was one of our most popular holidays, with over five hundred people having enjoyed the event in the first ten years. Join Dick Filby and our top Polish birding guide for a really great week’s birding.
Read previous years’ trip reports in full on our website (Polish Bird Festivals) or order your copies from us.
There is now a CD of the birdsong recorded at our 2006 Polish event available, please visit www.mandarinproductions.com
Holiday Information
Dates: 10th – 18th May 2008
Leaders: Dick Filby and local Polish bird guide.
Cost: The basic cost is £899 per person sharing a twin room
Single supp: £119 per person.
Deposit: £100 per person
Dates 2009: 9th – 17th May 2009
Register for £50 per person (refundable)
Group size: Maximum 20
Price includes: Return flight on LOT Polish Airlines London-Warsaw, all airport taxes, transfers to and from hotels, accommodation on a half board basis (breakfast and evening meal) in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, services of WildWings leader and local bird guide, birding excursions as itinerary, pre-tour information pack including a day by day birding checklist.
Price excludes: Travel insurance (from £16.22 per person), optional excursions, lunches, drinks, tips to local guides and items of a personal nature.
Birds - number of species expected (approx.): 180
Itinerary
Day 1: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw arriving early afternoon. Transfer to forest hotel, dinner on arrival.
Days 2-6: Five full days in which we will thoroughly enjoy the birds, mammals, plants and other wildlife of Bialowieza Forest and surrounding area. Each day we will have an included birding excursion by bus led by the two leaders. At other times, there will also be a basic bus service to and from specific pickup and dropoff points in the forest for birding under your own steam, or join one of our guides for a guided forest walk instead.
Day 7: We will move to the marshes, today, birding all the way, and stay for two nights. We will spend the rest of our time in Poland exploring this rich region, including breeding Aquatic Warblers and a traditional punt trip along a quiet backwater.
Day 8 : Full day birding the marshes area with the two leaders.
Day 9: Transfer in the morning back to Warsaw for our afternoon flight back to London Heathrow.
