Early spring tour 2025

EARLY SPRING TOUR

3rd to 7th April 2025 (4 nights)

A 5-days tour to Białowieża Forest in search of birds and mammals.

We will focus on the bird species of primeval forest. Early spring is the time of year with the highest possibility of seeing rare sedentary species with the biggest activity of woodpeckers and best time for owls throughout the year. This is also when to look for Nutcracker & Hazel Grouse. In my opinion it is the most magical time of the year in Bialowieza Forest! A time when everything begins to wake up and you can see this process even over the hours in the primeval Białowieża Forest – one of the last and largest remaining parts of the immense primeval forest that once stretched across the European Plain.

Our forest birding will be enriched by som explorations of the open areas also: we will visit Siemianówka Reservoir or a neighbouring area around Upper Narew river valley where geese (Tundra Bean & Greater White-fronted) gathers in thousands on vast floodings along with first Greater Spotted Eagles & wintering Rough-legged Buzzards. A stop on Białystok fishponds to look for Red-necked Grebe & Syrian Woodpecker is also planned.

During the trip we will also search for mammals – main targets will be European Bison and hopefully with a bit of luck Wolves & Beavers. In early spring observations of European Bisons are almost guaranteed!

Bird targets: woodpeckers (Three-toed, White-backed, Grey-headed, Black, Middle-spotted, Lesser-spotted, Syrian), Pygmy Owl, Tengmalm’s Owl, Hazel Grouse, Nutcracker, Crane, Woodcock, Firecrest, Hawfinch, White Stork, Green Sandpiper, Rough-legged Buzzard, White-tailed, Lesser Spotted & Greater Spotted Eagles, Red-necked Grebe.

Mammal targets: European Bison, Wolf, Beaver.

OUTLINE ITINERARY:

DAY 1 (3rd Apr)

picking up from Warsaw (Warsaw Chopin airport or Warsaw city centre) no later than 11 a.m.
journey to Białowieża (ca. 3,5 hours)
afternoon/evening exploration of Białowieża Forest

DAY 2-4 (4th-6th Apr)

three days of exploring Białowieża Forest

DAY 5 (7th Apr)

morning exploration of Białowieża Forest
journey to Warsaw (ca. 3,5 hours), where the tour ends (Warsaw Chopin airport or Warsaw city centre) around 2 p.m.

What is included in the trip?

picking up from and returning to Warsaw
everyday transport by car
expert guidance
accomodation in clean, twin rooms with private facilities in owner-run guesthouse in Białowieża Forest (4 nights)
meals (breakfast and dinner as well as packed lunches – first meal lunch on 1st Day, last meal lunch on 5th Day)
a visit to the Strict Reserve of Białowieża National Park (UNESCO site) with local, licensed guide
all entry fees

What is not included in the trip?

travel costs to/from Poland
items of a personal nature
personal health insurance covering tour duration (mandatory)

testimonials

Another excellent tour both within

Another excellent tour both within and outside the forest with Oliwier. Inside the forest the highlight for us was the Nutcracker, which we have missed in so many other places, but we also had Pygmy Owls (mating!), a Tengmalm’s Owl calling during the day (which they never do) and great views of all of the woodpeckers (except Green). The Cranes calling at night in the dark forest was spooky and amazing. Outside the forest we had flocks of Bean Geese and White-fronted Geese with a few Red-breasted Geese. We also had a Rough-legged Buzzard. The food and accommodation were excellent. Oliver is a thoughtful and hard-working guide with a real passion for the forest. The forest is incredible. We’ve been in both March and June and both tours were outstanding.

Kim and Sean

12-15 March 2024

An absolutely excellent guide who

An absolutely excellent guide who completely knows his “patch” (and what a patch it is!). We were interested in the whole picture, of habitat and ecology and this was something Oliwier was very able to share with us. Oliwier combines a very friendly and flexible attitude with expert knowledge, making time with him a real… Read more „An absolutely excellent guide who”

Jamie & Bea

April 2023

I have been to NE

I have been to NE Poland a number of times and on every trip, Oliwier has been our guide- he never fails to disappoint! He is absolutely fantastic and is extremely knowledgable about Polish wildlife. If you have a target bird which, for me in March, was the Pygmy Owl, Oliwier is the guy to go with! As well as being a birding guru, Oliwier is easy going, accommodating and overall a top bloke which certainly made my trip extremely fun and enjoyable.

Ewan Flynn

March 2023

Price and number of participants

Price is 1050 EUR per person for the trip. Single room supplement is 80 EUR.

Number of participants for this trip: 3-7.

SPACES AVAILABLE

trip reports

Private bird photography tour, March 2023