Poland’s Primeval Forests & Marshes

Typical Itinerary

1. Day 1: Fly to Warsaw; transfer to Białowieża

   Arriving in Warsaw, we meet our guide and drive some 250km east to Białowieża, stopping for some birding and to enjoy the scenic landscapes on the way. 

   We will see numerous white storks on the fields – 25% of the world’s population lives in Poland – and we also look for grey partridge, quails, rooks and jackdaws. Our base is a hotel in the village of Białowieża and, after a welcome dinner, we’ll take a walk to look for corncrake and grasshopper warbler.

   Accommodation: Białowieża National Park Guest Rooms, 4-nights

2. Days 2-4 : Birdwatching in Białowieża Forest

   The primeval forest of Białowieża is one of the largest areas of virgin lowland woodland in Europe. In the company of our local guide, we wander amongst the forest giants of oak, lime, ash and spruce, accompanied by the trill of wood warbler and the fluting of golden oriole, while flocks of hawfinch fly overhead. This is a very open, light forest, with a rich ground flora.

   We visit in prime breeding season, when all the late-arriving species – including red-breasted and collared flycatcher, river and aquatic warblers – should be in full song, but not too late to see some of the key woodland residents, including all the woodpeckers (an incredible nine species breed here). Pygmy owl is another local specialty, and we’ll take a dusk walk in the company of a local owl guide to look for this elusive bird. One evening we visit the lek (or display area) of one of Europe’s most elusive, and declining, waders – great snipe. 

   The forest is probably most famous for its re-introduced herd of European bison, and we may see some of these huge, but surprisingly elusive, beasts during our stay. The range of other mammals includes red and roe deer, pine marten and red squirrel. 

3. Day 5: Bialystok Fishponds & Siemianówka Reservoir

   Today, we drive to Biebrza Marshes, stopping at a range of excellent birdwatching sites. Our first stop is Siemianówka Reservoir – an artificial lake on the Narew River, which is the breeding site of several species and home to migrating waders. The reservoir also attracts a diversity of butterflies.

   Our next stop is a fishpond complex, where we look for a range of waterbirds which are more difficult to spot in the reeds and marshes of the Biebrza region.

   Accommodation: Dwor Dobraz Hotel, 3-nights

4. Days 6-7 : Biebrza Marshes

   The vast expanse of the Biebrza Marshes form one of Europe's largest stretches of marshland, extending for nearly 100km. A maze of channels intersects a landscape of pools, reedbeds and wet meadows, which together form one of the most bird-rich habitats on the continent.

   The marshes also hold an excellent range of mammals, and we hope to see elk, otter and wild boar, as well as European beaver. This area is also fantastic for dragonflies.

5. Day 8: Transfer to Warsaw; fly to the UK

   We drive back to Warsaw today, perhaps with time for some final birding en route before catching our return flight to London.