Scandinavia is home to some of Europe’s most exciting breeding birds. This short tour, based around the beautiful Black River Valley, takes in the cream of them. We will hope to try and see five species of Taiga owls, three of grouse and at least five of woodpecker, along with Common Crane and a wealth of waterbirds, raptors and passerines.

 

From our comfortable rural base, we’ll be exploring some spectacular and unspoilt forest and wetland habitats, which harbour not only these special birds but also an impressive range of mammals including Elk, Wolf and Lynx. This tour brings you into the heart of the real Swedish wilderness that still dominates the landscape of this friendly and prosperous country. Our leader, Daniel Green is a native of this part of Sweden and will use his local contacts to maximize your experience (eg. visiting owl nesting boxes in use etc)

 

Our first tour, in 2006, yielded 135 odd species including White-tailed Eagles, Black Grouse, Capercaille, (Hazelhen heard daily), Temminck’s Stint, Grey-headed, Black and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Thrush Nightingale, Nutcracker and Ortolan Bunting. Both Ural and Tengmalm’s Owls were seen in the hand at nest boxes, Pygmy Owl was finally seen perched high on a tree whilst the group enjoyed a special bonus of Hawk Owl, a male watched bringing food to the female, a species which does not always nest in Southern Sweden.  2007 highlights again included Great Grey, Ural and Pygmy Owls plus Three-toed Woodpecker. 2008 highlights added Eagle Owl plus Beaver, Moose and Wild Boar were all seen well. Add some spring butterflies such as Swallowtail and Camberwell Beauty and you have the perfect recipe for a great spring break. 2009 yielded three species of owl (Great Grey, Ural and Tengmalm’s), six species of woodpecker including Three-toed at the nest and an additional bonus of a Lynx sitting in the middle of a road at night!

 

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Itinerary

 

Day 1: Depart London Stansted at 1130 and on arrival at Västerås airport the leader will be waiting with our tour vehicle. Short break at a small, nearby wetland on Ängsö, a breeding site for several pairs of Slavonian Grebe. Good spot also for Black and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Osprey, Icterine Warbler and Hawfinch. Early evening excursion for Great Grey Owl.

Day 2: Early morning around Färna Ekopark and Kolsva for Three-toed, Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers and Wryneck. Red-backed Shrikes may just have arrived. In the afternoon, Lake Fläcksjön with Black Terns, Little Gulls, waders, White-tailed Eagles, Goshawks and Common Cranes. We also visit some Tengmalm´s Owl nestboxes.

Evening excursion for Pygmy Owl or Eagle Owl.

Day 3: Easy morning with birdwatching in the Black River Valley. An open farmland with lots of wetlands and lakes. We look for Thrush Nightingales, Icterine Warblers, Common Rosefinch, Wrynecks, or White-tailed Eagles, Black Terns, and several species of Waders, hopefully including summer plumaged Ruffs and Spotted Redshanks. Ringing excursion for Ural Owls. Evening excursion for Eagle Owl.

Day 4:  Early morning forest walk where leking Black Grouse, Common Cranes, Black-throated Divers, breeding Osprey and displaying Wood Sandpipers are the sure cards, while we also stand the chance to see Honey Buzzard, Crested– and Willow Tits and Hazel Grouse, for instance. After lunch, we pay a visit to a reedfringed lake on our way back to the airport for plenty of wetland birds like Little Gulls. Marsh Harrier, Bittern, several species of dabbling ducks, Grebes and Ortolan Buntings nearby. Transfer to airport, arrival back at London Stansted at 2115.

 

Please note the above itinerary is a guide only as we will maximize our birding opportunities subject to local bird news at the time.

 

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Holiday Info

 

Dates: 20th-23rd May 2010

Leader: Daniel Green plus assistant

Cost: £949 per person sharing twin rooms

Single supplement: £89

Deposit: £200

Group size: 8-16 plus the leader

 

Price includes: return economy class flights including prepaid taxes, ground transport throughout, accommodation in twin rooms with private facilities, all meals, services of WildWings/Birdwatch Magazine leader/s and bird checklist.

 

Price excludes: drinks, travel insurance and other items of a personal nature.

 

Birds: Expected no of species 110-120.

 

Previous trip report available.