|
WildWings, 577 Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3AF.UK
|
|
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. 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.
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart London Stansted at 0650 am 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. Ringing excursion for Ural Owls. Capercaillies and Common Cranes might turn up along the road. Evening excursion for Great Grey Owl.
Day 2. Early morning around Färna Ekopark and Kolsva for Three-toed, Black and Grey-headedWoodpeckers and Wryneck. Red-backed Shrikes may just have arrived. In the afternoon, Eagle Owl excursion with Common Rosefinch, Ortolan Bunting and Slavonian Grebes in the vicinity. Lake Fläcksjön with Black Terns, Little Gulls, waders, White-tailed Eagles, Goshawks and Common Cranes.
Evening excursion for Pygmy Owl.
Day 3. Grouse morning with Hazel Grouse excursion. Forest walk in best grouse habitats and lakes with Black-throated Divers and breeding Osprey. Visit to the forest where Nutcrackers, Greyheaded Woodpeckers, Bullfinches and Crested, Willow, Coal and Long-tailed Tits could all turn up. Evening excursion for Tengmalm’s Owl.
Day 4. Dedicated to the coastal lagoons of the Uppland Baltic Sea coast. Caspian Tern, Little Gull, waders, Montagu’s Harrier and White-tailed Eagle are target species. Visit to virgin forest with good chance of Redbreasted Flycatcher. We pay short visits to one or two lakes on our way back for Great Reed Warblers, Black Terns and many others. Transfer to airport, and arrival back at London Stansted at 22.30.
Please note the above itinerary is a guide only as we will maximize our birding opportunities subject to local bird news at the time.
Holiday Info
Dates: 22nd-25th May 2008
Leader: Daniel Green
Cost: £699 per person sharing twin rooms
Single supplement: £20
Deposit: £100
Group size: 8 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 and bird checklist.
Price excludes: drinks, travel insurance (available from £14.49) and other items of a personal nature.
Birds: Expected no of species 110-120.
Full details at www.wildwings.co.uk or www.birdwatch.co.uk
