Central Sweden
Scandinavian Spring

Thursday 14 - Sunday 17 April 2011 (4 days)

Spend a few days amongst the wild forests and lakes of central Sweden with Capercaillie, Three-toed Woodpecker, and a wonderful selection of owls. Add breeding waders, Cranes and divers, and some superb hotels and food, and you have the ingredients for a hugely enjoyable short break!

Central Sweden's forests are an outpost of the great belt of 'taiga' forest that stretches in a swathe between the arctic tundra and temperate forests of Eurasia. These woodlands are clearly different to almost anything we have in Britain, and an echo, at least, of the original 'Wildwood' that covered much of Europe before the arrival of man.

And, as befits their wild appearance, these Central Swedish forests are correspondingly rich in wildlife, combining elements of the arctic with central European and alpine wildlife.

To the British visitor, the area will be most reminiscent of Scotland, especially the Caledonian Pine Forest of Speyside, and indeed it boasts several birds that we think of as characteristically Scottish: Crested Tit, Osprey, Black Grouse and both Red- and Black-throated Divers. Scottish Capercaillies were originally introduced from Sweden, which remains one of the best places to see them. But in addition to these can be found many continental species: the small and often elusive Hazel Grouse, the pine-loving Nutcracker, three continental woodpeckers - Black, Grey-headed and Three-toed, and, best of all, an excellent concentration of owls, with Pygmy, Tengmalm's, Ural, Great Grey and Eagle Owls all to be looked for. Mammals include the mighty Elk.

We explore the area in the company of the friendly and outgoing local expert Daniel Green, who has designed the following itinerary for us.

Accommodation
 On this trip we stay at a comfortable country guesthouse with all rooms en suite.

Principal Leader: Daniel Green

Numbers: Max. 8 clients

Price: £ 995
Single supp.: £ 75
Deposit: £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return economy-class flights London- Västerås, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tip to the local guide, drinks and other personal expenses.

Central Sweden map

Outline Itinerary
Day 1We take a morning Ryanair flight from London Stanstead direct to Västerås, the nearest airport, where Daniel will be waiting to greet us.

We spend the early evening by a forest clearing, a regular hunting ground of Great Grey Owls, which have started breeding in the area in the last ten years. Woodcocks will surely entertain with their roding as we wait to see if the owls perform. Overnight Salbohedgardens
Day 2After breakfast (no early start today!) we head for another excellent forest where Hazel Grouse can be found, along with Nutcracker and Capercaillie. Black Woodpeckers can again be looked for.

This evening we'll go in search of Pygmy Owl, which may appear just after sundown to give its short whistling call from the top of a spruce tree at the forest's edge. Overnight Salbohedgardens
Day 3This is also prime woodpecker country, and we are out early for Grey-headed, Black and very local Three-toed Woodpeckers.

We'll also witnness the ringing of Tengmalm's Owls, breeding in nestboxes. There is really no other way to get really close views and to photograph these charming little, highly nocturnal owls. Overnight Salbohedgardens
Day 4We head out early this morning to a superb area of forest and lakes. Here we hope to see some of Sweden's choice specialities, including the 'monarch of the woods' - Capercaillie. Black Grouse can also be found, and we hope to see them on a lek. If this was not enough, Cranes breed in the area, and the forests should be resounding to their atmospheric calls.

We head back to Västerås airport for our afternoon flight back to London Stanstead.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary