Polish Bird Festival

Trip Report 2003

Trip Report 2004

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Saturday morning saw Dave Fell meet the 35 participants on the Polish Bird Festival at Heathrow for our flight to Warsaw and onward bus journey to the Hotel Bialoweiska, arriving in time for dinner.  Dick Filby met us at the airport after flying out earlier on Friday.

Sunday was fine and sunny and early morning walks, some earlier than others, were taken around the hotel area.  A local forest walk enjoyed good views of a pair of Three-toed Woodpeckers at a nest hole and a very mobile pair of Grey-headed Woodpeckers.  A more leisurely walk down the road from the hotel saw Wryneck, Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Hawfinch, Thrush Nightingale, River Warbler and Black Redstart, as well as hearing Corncrake.

The rest of the day was spent visiting known woodpecker sites.  here Black, White-backed, Middle-spotted, Greater Spotted and Less Spotted Woodpeckers were all found.  In all sights species of woodpecker were seen today.

Around the hotel three Waxwings was a good record along with female Goshawk, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Icterine Warbler, Collared, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers.  A pair of White Storks were nesting in a tree in the hotel gardens.

Mammals seen today were Mole, Red Squirrel, Roe Deer and Eastern Hedgehog.

Monday was again fine and sunny and today’s trips were to Lake Siemianowka (early morning start) and “Woodpecker Central” at Budy Bridge, after breakfast.

The lake came up trumps with both Greater and Lesser Spotted Eagles, White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, cranes, Hazel Hen, three species of marsh tern, Great Reed Warbler, River Warbler and Ortolan Bunting.  A White Stork was seen to take a Grass Snake and a Nightjar was flushed.

At Budy Bridge Black, White-backed and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were all seen at nest holes whilst overhead were crane, Montague Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard and Black Stork.  A pair of Lesser Spotted Eagles were nesting nearby and a Rosefinch was singing.

Around the hotel a Corn Bunting was heard and Icterine Warbler, Rosefinch and Red-backed Shrike were all seen.  A flock of forty plus migrating Jays much have been a spectacular, if unusual, sight.

Evening trips saw Beaver, Pygmy Owl and Corncrake but three lucky people searcher for, and found, a lone bison.

Due to the sunny weather a number of butterflies were on the wing.  The best being Camberwell Beauty and Large Tortoishell.

Tuesday was overcast with some rain which cleared in the afternoon.  Another early departure to the lake.  The rain kept away until late morning enabling the group to see White-tailed Eagle, Black Kite, Osprey, crane, Citrine Wagtail, three species of marsh tern, Hazel Hen, River Warbler, Rosefinch and a few waders among others.  A beaver sat out in the open and at least two Bitterns boomed all morning.

The morning trip to Kosy Most fell foul of the weather with few birds seen.  River Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Hazel Hen put in an appearance but there was no sign of the hoped for Nutcracker.

Around the hotel were Wryneck (breeding in the hotel grounds), Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Golden Oriole, River Warbler, Thrush Nightingale and more migrating Jays.

Evening trips again saw a Pygmy Owl but only heard Corncrake.  Mammal of the day was a Pine Martin.

Wednesday started cloudy but remained fine until late afternoon when it rained.  Again early starts were made for Bison and Wild Boar and for the lake.

The “Dawn Patrol” found fresh Bison tracks and saw two Hazel Hen and two Beavers by no sightings of the main quarry.

The lake was again the place to be with five White-tailed Eagles (a pair displaying), Greater and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Osprey, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Black-necked Grebe,  three species of marsh tern, Citrine Wagtail and Great ‘Egrets’ to name but a few.

The trip to Kosy Most was successful as Nutcracker responded immediately.  With the target species safely in the bag, a slow walk to the bridge was followed by a raptor watch there.  A male Montague Harrier and Common Buzzard were seen and excellent views were had of Grey-headed Woodpecker, Hawfinch and a pair of Barred Warblers.

Around the hotel some lucky observers saw two Corncrakes having a domestic in the road, whilst a pair of Montagu’s Harriers were nesting in a field.  Savi’s and Icterine Warbler along with Great Grey Shrike, were also seen whilst Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, River Warblers and Thrush Nightingale were by now regarded as common and hardly received a mention.

The evening “Prowlers and Owlers” were successful seeing Wild Boar, Roe Deer, Pygmy Owl and Nightjar.

Thursday was cloudy but fine and the early morning dawn patrol was again successful with two Wild Boar, Red Squirrel and Hazel Hen seen.

After breakfast a minibus left for the south easts corner of the lake, to Sienieniakowszczyzna, the longest village name in Poland.  This is an excellent area for raptors – nine species being seen including White-tailed Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Osprey, Hobby and Montagu’s Harrier.  The supporting cast was made up of two male Citrine Wagtails, twelve Great Egrets, three species of marsh tern, Black Stork, Marsh Warbler, several species of duck along with woodpeckers, flycatchers and shrikes.

Other after breakfast trips were to Budy Bridge and Kosy Most.  Budy Bridge still held nest sites for Black, Middle Spotted and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.  The Black Woodpecker nest hole was of special interest as the adults made regular visits to feed four hungry youngsters.

At Kosy Most, Nutcracker was again seen as were Red-breasted Flycatcher, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Hazel Hen, Montagu’s Harrier and Lesser Spotted Eagle.

The hotel area turned up it’s usual array of warblers along with a pair of Stonechats which had the Polish guides twitching.  Its’s a scarce bird in Poland!  A walk to the Palace Park found Serim, Rosefinch, Collared and Spotted Flycatcher, Great Reed Warbler and Long-tailed Tit (of the sub-species candatus, with the all white head).

After dinner the “Crakers” managed to see Corncrake and Tawny Owl.

Friday started rather cold but later became warm and sunny, but windy.  Two early morning trips today.  The first, the dawn patrol, again led by “General Filby” saw Beaver, Roe and Red Deer, Red Squirrel and Hazel Hen and reported that the dawn chorus was brilliant.

The second, more usual trip to the north east corner of Lake Siemianawka, saw White-tailed Eagle, Great Spotted Eagle and Honey Buzzard at the nest, along with Citrine Wagtail, terns, warblers and shrikes.  Swallowtail Butterfly was also seen.

After breakfast a trip left for Dojlidy Fishponds stopping on the way for a pair Rollers.  At the fishponds were Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes (in breeding plumage), Penduline Tits (with nests), Marsh, Savis and Great Reed Warbler, Rosefinch, White-tailed Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle.

A quick look at the south east corner of Lake Siemianowka by the leaders found White-tailed and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Goshawks, Hobby, Great Egret, Whooper Swan and Citrine Wagtail.  Three Sooty Copper Butterflies were also seen here.

Around the hotel the pair of Montagu’s Harriers were well watched, the Hawfinches were still feeding young and the Stonechats were present.  A Corncrake was seen as was Serin, Grey-headed Woodpecker and the only Kingfisher of the week.

After dinner the “Owlers” again saw Pygmy Owl but the sighting of the day, if not the week, was of eleven Bison seen crossing a forest roadway.

Saturday, our last day in the field, was overcast but fine and warm.  Traditionally, the last day is “catch up day” with people trying to see birds that they have failed to see during the week.  However, this year was different with most people being successful with their target birds.  This was reflected in the fact that there was demand for only one trip and that was to Siemianiakowszczyzna, the south east corner of the lake.

A short stop en route at Kosy Most was made and Nutcracker duly obliged although with flight views for some.

The lake again produced good views of raptors with White-tailed, Great and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Hobby and Osprey being the pick.  A Bittern was heard and seen whilst male Citrine Wagtails posed around the pumping station.  Amongst the duck were Gargamey and Goldeneye and marek terns flew overheard.  All these and more made this a most memorable final day.

The hotel area produced the “usual” birds with Thrush Nightingale, River Warbler, Wryneck, Icterine Warbler, Rosefinch, Golden Oriole, Hawfinch, Montagu’s Harrier and Great Grey Shrike.

We ended a great week’s birding with a farewell dinner held in the hotel grounds with a huge log fire, sausages on sticks and Belarussian folk singers, some in traditional costume.

Sunday was fine and sunny and after breakfast our coach set off to Warsaw Airport.  After a short and uneventful flight, we said our goodbyes and went our different ways.  With 171 species seen, this ended another successful Polish Bird Festival.

A report on a visit to Biebrza Marshes 20-21 May 2005 (Caroline Still)

Three separate groups visited the marshes during our week in Poland, this is a report of the third visit and includes the excursion to a Great Snipe Lek and an Aquatic Warbler breeding reserve.

For most, this two day excursion to the Biebrza and Narew marshes was one of the highlights of the trip. Setting off after breakfast, our mini bus headed off in glorious sunshine. The Biebrza National Park is located in northeast Poland and was a three-hour drive from the Bialowieski hotel.  The north eastern boundary of the park is near the Belarus border and the Narew River and its confluence with the Biebrza River form the southern boundary. The Park was established in 1993, and with a total area of 59 233 ha, it is the largest of the Polish national parks. It is unique in Europe, particularly for its marshes and peatlands, as well as its highly diversified fauna, especially birds.  The Park was designated as a wetland site of global significance and is under the protection of the RAMSAR Convention. With so much to discover we were fortunate to be accompanied by Tomek Cofta, an authority on the Aquatic Warbler and very knowledgeable about the ecology of this fascinating ecosystem.

En route we stopped at Krynickie, a known site for Rollers and within minutes we spotted a pair perched obligingly in a Birch tree. Their stunningly colourful plumage looked almost iridescent in the sunlight and cameras whirred as photographers scurried around to gain images of the birds perched on overhead wires. We also enjoyed good views of Red-backed Shrikes, Common Buzzards, Blue-headed Wagtails, White Storks, Hooded Crows, Winchats and numerous Fieldfares. A previous group also saw two Queen of Spain Fritillary butterflies here.

Later in the morning we stopped at Dojlidy Fishponds, this wetland is managed to farm carp, a traditional Polish favourite at Christmas. A chorus of croaking greeted us, as Fire-bellied Toads, Spade-foot Toads, Edible and Marsh Frogs filled the air with their frenzied vocal activity.  We spent a couple of hours here birding amongst the reed-fringed ponds, that were interspersed by extensive reed beds and willow scrub. Flocks of Marsh Terns wheeled and dived continuously, while Marsh Harriers hunted over the reedbeds. We found four species of grebe, Black-necked, Red-necked, Great-crested and Little Grebe all of course in their impressive summer plumage. We heard a couple of Great Bitterns, their booming cut through the cacophony of terns, Black-headed gulls and amphibians. We had some good views of Great Reed and Savi’s Warblers and were also pleased to see a Swallowtail Butterfly, but for many it was the two pairs of Penduline Tits at their nests that stole the show. Tomak took us to a site where one pair were still busily completing the entrance tunnel to their hanging nest, industriously flying in and out with reed seed heads. The birding here was excellent and we concluded the morning with a picnic lunch before setting off towards the Biebrza Marshes.

We soon arrived at a beautiful and extensive area of marsh, where White-winged Black Terns were nesting in amongst clumps of sedge. For many the terns provided one of the day’s highlights as hundreds of these stunning birds performed acrobatics above flooded meadows of buttercups, Lady’s Smock and Water Crowfoot. The clicking of cameras trying to capture the perfect flight shot mirrored this constant activity. At one point Tomak wandered into a deep puddle on the track and peered mysteriously into the muddy water. Eventually he emerged with a large smile, clutching a water filled container. He had found a Tadpole Shrimp; this small shrimp-like invertebrate has remained unchanged for millions of years. The shrimp lived on Earth before there were fish and never evolved defences against fish predators. So, Tadpole Shrimps can now only live where fish do not, such as temporary pools. Among the many birds on the marsh were Great White Egrets, the ubiquitous White Stork, Marsh Harriers, displaying Black-tailed Godwits, Red Shanks and Gargany. Along the wooded lane we had excellent views of Icterine and Wood Warbler, Blue-headed and Citrine Wagtails and butterflies included Large and Small Coppers. From the minibus as we departed, we spotted a couple of Whooper Swans; for many this was a new addition to the bird list. 

It was a real treat to view some nearby marshes from a watchtower, we watched a couple of Roe Deer and herd of seven Elk, including one small calf, grazing lazily in the long grass. It was also interesting to have an aerial view of a perched Red-backed Shrike. A male Montagu’s Harrier provided a stunning display and we had terrific views of a pair of Common Cranes, as they took flight their trumpeting calls echoed eerily across the valley. Several Marsh Harriers were hunting along the valley oblivious to our presence within our raised viewpoint.

In the early evening we arrived at Barvik, our final birding destination and famous for the Great Snipe Lek. We climbed the rickety open viewing platform for the most amazing avian performance. We were so lucky as the activity had just begun in the evening sunshine. A total of 12 birds were posturing in their lekking display, strutting back and forth in the long grass, sporadically leaping into the air, with their bills pointing upwards. The whole scene was backlit and clouds of insects and a network of cobwebs adorned the vegetation. As the birds jumped into the air, the sun shone through their tail feathers and the white at the sides of their tails were clearly displayed. The occasional Common Snipe drummed overhead against a background of singing Thrush Nightingales and as the sun set a Woodcock flew over the nearby wood, this was certainly a dusk to remember. We enjoyed a late evening meal and a few celebratory beers in our very rustic hotel. The recently constructed, contemporary wooden building, had a wonderful aroma of pine resin, and many of us felt that we could easily stay here in the middle of the forest for several days. Early risers birded around the hotel grounds and were rewarded with a healthy collection of species including White- backed Woodpecker, Montagu’s Harriers, Serins and several Thrush Nightingales.

After breakfast we headed off for our target species, the elusive Aquatic Warbler.  We stopped at our first site and Tomak quickly spotted a stunning Bluethroat that was obligingly perched on top of a bush, this was an excellent birding site with wader flocks and rafts of Wigeon, Teal and Pochard. We also saw several Great White Egrets, Grey Herons, Mute Swans and White Storks and as a herd of cows meandered along the track we watched the Blue-headed and Citrine Wagtails in attendance. The whole marsh was alive with birds, but sadly there was no sign of the Aquatic Warbler here. 

We stopped for lunch in a small village called Waniewo in the Narodowe Park, a particular highlight for some were the pancakes and homemade blackcurrant preserve! We then took a trip by punt into the reedbeds, an unusual approach to birdwatching perhaps, but as we silently drifted along the narrow channels we soon reaped our rewards. We had a great eye level view of a Savi’s Warbler, reeling from the reedbed margin. Reed Buntings, Sedge and Great Reed Warblers flitted around us, while Hobbies and Marsh Harriers were hunting overhead.  The convoy of punts floated past two European Beaver lodges, but we had no sightings of their inhabitants.