Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park

The Belovezhskaya Pushcha forest is a wilder and larger counterpart to the adjoining Białowieza in Poland, a fragment of the primeval forest that once stretched across the European plain.

The Belovezhskaya Pushcha forest boasts impressive ancient trees and a variety of exciting woodland species. Hazel grouse are found here and, though elusive, can sometimes be located by their distinctive whistles.

All of the European woodpeckers (except the recently split Iberian green), crested tit, common crossbill and collared flycatcher breed here. Along the shore of Lake Liadskoye, wood sandpiper, Savi’s and river warblers occur. Raptors include white-tailed, short-toed and lesser spotted eagles, honey buzzard, goshawk, hen and Montagu’s harriers.

There are mammals in these woodlands too: elk and wild boar are numerous. The most celebrated resident of the forest is the majestic European bison, which can often be found in their favourite meadows and glades within the great forest. Eurasian lynx also reside in these ancient forests, but we’d be very lucky to encounter one of these rare felines!

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