INTRODUCCION

Belarus will most probably become one of the prime birding destinations in Europe. This country that is the Eastern neighbour of Poland is second to none. The variety of birds that includes several highlight species very rarely seen in other parts of Europe is only one aspect. Imagine roads taking you through ancient forests, hundreds of meandering rivers, the biggest marshes and fens of the continent, while you hardly meet any traffic or even people. Truly an unbeatable paradise remaining intact and wild, no wonder Belarus conserves big population of Bison, Lynx and Wolf. We have searched good quality hotels situated close to the best birding sites. Tasty local cusine, witnessing true rural life in small ancient villages are part of our trip. This country is perfectly safe, yet, you can experience the taste of an era that is already left behind in most parts of Eastern Europe. Our tour visits three key places: Sporovo Reserve protecting 90% of the world’s Aquatic Warbler population,then Pripyat NP that is a paradise for sought-after waders offering a unique variety of primarily Eastern species, and finally Belowezhskaya Pushcha NP adjoining its smaller counterpart, the World famous Bialowieza NP in Poland.
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.

 

Itinerary

Days 1-2
After landing at the Airport we drive to Sporovo Reserve, where we will stay for 2 nights. The marshes and fishponds are home to many exciting birds. All three marsh terns, Great Grey Shrike, Hen and Montague’s Harrier, Common Rosefinch, Golden Oriole, Citrine Wagtail, Penduline and Bearded Tit are all found here. Little, Spotted Crakes and Corncrake are all loud at this time of the year, which gives us a chance to spot them, but the evening will surely be spent admiring the characteristic songflight of Europe’s rarest songbird, the Aquatic Warbler.
Accommodation: Beloazersk

Days 3-6
Our next base will be near the famous Pripyat NP. We spend 4 nights in Turov in a comfortable hotel located on the bank of the river. Several sought-after shorebirds such as Great Snipe, Terek and Marsh Sandpiper breed on the banks of the untamed Pripyat river that floods vast areas of meadows and forests in spring. On Turov Meadow we can experience spectacular gatherings of hundreds of migrating Ruff including many extremly colorful males, but elegant Spotted Redshanks are also found in good numbers.
Surely one of the strongest candidate for bird of the trip will be Azure Tit. Belarus is the only place in Europe where we have good chances to find this stunning bird in its breeding habitat along the riparian willow forests of the Pripyat river.
We will have some time to discover the ancient oak, spruce and birch forests too. Easy walks and short drives can produce Common Crane, Greater and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Wryneck and White-backed Woodpecker, Collared and Red-breasted Flycatcher, but we might also find Grey-headed, Black, Middle and Three-toed Woodpeckers. Thrush Nightingale, Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch, Golden Oriole and Hawfinch are common in this magic place.
We also visit the nearby Beloe Fishponds, home to breeding Whooper Swan, Smew, Bittern, White-tailed Eagle, Red-necked Grebe, Penduline and Bearded Tit and many waterbirds on migration.
Accommodation: Turov

Days 7,8
Our last base will be in the middle of the famous World Heritage Site, the Belowezhskaya Pushcha ancient forest. We will walk amidst ancient trees and focus on species woodland species. The fairy tale woods hold Hazel Grouse, Great Grey, and Pygmy Owls, although we need luck to see them. All European woodpeckers, Crested Tit, Common Crossbill, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers are all breeding here. Along Lake Liadskoye Wood Sandpiper, Savi’s and River Warbler occur. Raptors inlcude White-tailed, Short-toed and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Hen and Montague’s Harrier.
We always stay alert for the presence of mammals in these woodlands where Wild Boars are numerous and European Bisons still dwell amidst the trees though they are incredibly shy and there is only an outside chance that we might see them.
Accommodation: Belowezhskaya Pushcha

Days 9-10
We leave Belarus and drive to the famous Biebrza National Park. We explore the marshlands, flooded meadows, pastures, bogs and old woodlands of the park looking for a nice array of birds such as Lesser Spotted and White-tailed Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Hobby, White-winged, Whiskered and Black Tern, Black Stork, Common Crane, Hoopoe, Ortolan Bunting, Thrush Nightingale, Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch, Penduline and Bearded Tit, Marsh, River and Savi’s Warbler. Elks are fairly common in the park and we have good chances to see them.
Accomodation: Bartlowizna hotel in Goniadz

Day 11
After a morning birding we drive back to the airport to Warsaw.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

We will instruct you about how to get the VISA to entry Belarus. Aporx. cost is 75GBP in 2012.