Imagine a land of ancient forests, hundreds of meandering rivers, the biggest marshes and fens of the continent, and roads where you hardly meet any traffic or even people - this is the wild country of Belarus!
Belarus is set to become one of the prime birdwatching destinations in Europe. This eastern neighbour of Poland boasts a superb variety of birds including Terek Sandpiper and Azure Tit, and mammals including Bison, Lynx and Wolf.
As the countries of Eastern Europe develop, they are sadly losing some of their prime attractions to the visitor, and to the wildlife: untouched wilderness areas, and a traditional, low-intensity system of agriculture. Yet in Belarus these still survive, and we have chosen three areas out of many possible places to concentrate on: Sporovo Reserve, protecting a huge percentage of the world's Aquatic Warbler population, then the fabled marshes of Pripyat National Park with its breeding and migrant waders including Terek and Marsh Sandpipers, and other eastern species including the legendary and beautiful Azure Tit, and finally Belowezhskaya Pushcha NP, a wilder and larger counterpart to the adjoining Bialowieza in Poland.
Accommodation: Reasonable quality hotels situated close to the best birding sites. All rooms en suite.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
Leaders: Barrie Cooper and Attila Steiner
|
Price: £ 1,895
Single supp.: £ 205
Deposit: £ 400 per person
The price per person includes return flights from London - Minsk*, airport taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes Belarus visa costs (approx £90), holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local guide, drinks, and other personal expenses.
This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.
|
| Outline Itinerary |
| Days 1-4 | We fly from London to Minsk via Vienna or Warsaw. From Minsk we drive to the famous Pripyat NP. We spend four nights in Turov in a comfortable hotel located on the bank of the river. Several sought-after shorebirds such as Great Snipe, Terek and Marsh Sandpiper breed on the banks of the untamed Pripyat River that floods vast areas of meadows and forests in spring. Great Snipe can sometimes be seen at a lek site, and last year we had the privilege of comparing both Great and Jack Snipe in the hand at a ringing station.
One of the most sought-after birds of the trip will be Azure Tit. Belarus is the only place in Europe where we have a good chance to find this stunning bird in its breeding habitat along the riparian willow forests of the Pripyat River.
Four nights Turov
|
| Days 5-6 | Our next base will be in the middle of the famous World Heritage Site, the Belowezhskaya Pushcha ancient forest. We will walk amidst ancient trees and focus on woodland species.
We always stay alert for the presence of mammals in these woodlands where Elk and Wild Boar are numerous. The most famous mammal of the forest, however, is the majestic European Bison, although these can be surprisingly difficult to see amongst the trees. We'll search for them in some of their favourite meadows and glades.
Two nights Belowezhskaya Pushcha |
| Days 7-8 | We continue to Sporovo Reserve, where we will stay for two nights. A board walk across the marsh makes an excellent viewpoint to look for the marsh's breeding Citrine Wagtails. One evening we hope to admire the characteristic song flight of Europe's rarest songbird, Aquatic Warbler, to the sound of booming Bittern and displaying Snipe.
Two nights Beloazersk |
| Day 9 | We drive back to Minsk, birding en route, from where we fly home.
|
|
