When: 5 days in late April 2024
Where: Białowieża Forest & Biebrza Marshes
Who: Dave & Geoff from UK
Type of the tour: Early spring tour (private)
Highlights: woodpeckers (White-backed, Three-toed, Middle spotted, Grey-headed, Black, Lesser Spotted, Wryneck), Nutcracker, Pygmy Owl, Lesser & Greater Spotted Eagles, Collared Flycatcher, Corn Crake, Warblers (Aquatic, Grasshopper, Great Reed), Penduline Tit + Bison, Elk, Wolf & Lynx footprints
That was a regular „Early spring tour” but due to the bookings made only by a group of friend we adapted it to be a private tour – the biggest change made was switching the last day in the Forest for a one night on the Marshes in hope of the first arriving Aquatic Warblers. And that was a good choice as on the last day of the tour we had the warbler, which actually was the country’s arrival of the species in 2024. But before that we spent amazing 3 nights in the Forest experiencing best what it can offer – woodpeckers, owls and maaaany more. Dave’s bird targets were White-backed Woodpecker, Pygmy Owl & Black Woodpecker, we saw the former two in the first hour of birding in Białowieża (!), but suprisingly the latter took us some time to get good views, yet we finally managed to.
All in all, great trip in great companion!
