Poland’s Winter Wildlife

Typical Itinerary

1. Day 1: Fly to Warsaw

   We take a scheduled flight from London to Warsaw and drive to the spectacular Biebrza National Park in north-east Poland. On the way we may catch our first glimpse of roe deer, brown hare and fox in the fields, while rough-legged and common buzzards can often be seen soaring overhead. At this time of year, the trees on the edge of the roads are lined with mistletoe, which attracts large flocks of waxwing.

   After a welcome dinner at our comfortable guesthouse, we take an evening spotlighting excursion in search of wolf and other nocturnal wildlife.

   Accommodation: Dwor Dobarz, 3-nights

2. Days 2-3 : Biebrza Marshes

   We have two full days to explore the wildlife-rich Biebrza Marshes. As we drive through the national park, we will look for elk and learn about wolf ecology – all the while keeping an eye out for tracks in the snow. Wolf populations in Poland have been protected over the last 15 years, and the country’s wolf population is currently estimated to be about 1,000.

   Further along the river, we may see white-tailed eagles sitting on the ice or feeding on leftover carcasses, which may be the result of wolf kills. Other notable species in this area include otter – which are often seen playing, hunting and catching fish – as well as polecat and American mink. This area is also known for its population of European beaver; at this time of year, they are particularly active and we hope to see them as they swim along the river collecting branches.

   The marshes also hold many bird species you might expect to encounter in Eastern Europe: cormorant, grey heron, great white egret, whooper, Bewick’s and mute swans, black and red-throated divers, as well as a number of northern duck species including wigeon, pintail, goosander, smew and goldeneye. The contrasting riverine forest is an excellent place to look for white-backed and lesser-spotted woodpeckers.

   In the evenings, we will once again go spotlighting for wolves and, if we are lucky, we might also spot eagle owl, which are known to breed in the area.

3. Days 4-6 : Białowieża Forest

   After breakfast, we drive to Białowieża Forest, stopping on the way at the old town of Tykocin to look for red squirrel, stoat, weasel and Syrian woodpecker, before stopping for lunch. The villages we pass have fascinating wooden architecture with painted orthodox churches, and we make a stop at a bridge on the Narew River to look for otter and beaver.

   Travelling further south towards Bialowieza, we stop at the old town of Tykocin to look for red squirrel, stoat, weasel and Syrian woodpecker, before stopping for lunch. The villages we pass have fascinating wooden architecture with painted orthodox churches, and we make a stop at a bridge on the Narew River to look for otter and beaver.

   After dinner, we take an evening drive to look for Eurasian lynx, and the three packs of wolves which are known to live in the forest.

   The next following days are spent exploring the Białowieża Forest, the last primeval lowland forest in Europe, consisting of oak, lime, ash and spruce, and one of the largest areas of virgin woodland on the continent. The forest is probably most famous for its reintroduced herd of European bison and we hope to see some of these huge and surprisingly elusive beasts during our stay. A range of other mammals includes red and roe deer, wild boar, pine marten, stoat and weasel.

   After lunch, we return to the forest to look for woodland bird species including hazel grouse, three-toed, white-backed, middle-spotted, lesser-spotted, black and grey-headed woodpeckers, spotted nutcracker and hawfinch. Small flocks of yellowhammer, tree sparrow, crossbill, nuthatch, treecreeper and long-tailed, crested, willow and marsh tits are also visible here, closely watched by their elusive predator – the sparrowhawk.

   At dusk each evening, our attention turns to owl species, and we have the chance to see both Tengmalm’s and pygmy.

   Accommodation: Wejmutka Manor Hotel, 3-nights

4. Day 7: Return to Warsaw; fly back to the UK

   Depending on the time of our return flight, we may have the opportunity for a pre-breakfast walk in the forest before travelling back to Warsaw in time for our flight back to London.