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Poland in Winter
Saturday 12 - Sunday 20 February 2005 (9 days) |
© Jamie McMillan/Nature Portfolio  Learning about Bialowieza from a Polish guide |
After ten years of spring trips, we now visit Poland at the best time to see its amazing range of mammals, when snow covers forests and the marshes are frozen. With Marek Borkowski's team of wildlife guides we can expect good views of Bison and Boar, some fine winter birding, and possibly the best chance of encountering wild Wolves anywhere in Europe!North-eastern Poland boasts, in a nutshell, some of the wildest and most unspoilt forest and freshwater marshland habitats in Europe. A winter visit offers potentially some of the best mammal-viewing in Europe, as well as a chance to experience wonderful winter landscapes in Eastern Europe, and a chance to go on a horse-drawn sleigh! Our visit will take us first to the Masurian Lakes, an area of mixed forest and fresh water with an abundance of mammals. We then head for the vast Biebrza Marshes, through a snow-covered landscape of small villages, before finishing at the primeval forest of Bialowieza, where herds of Bison browse in the snow. It will indeed be cold, but (dare we say unlike the UK) Poland is very much geared up to cope with hard winter weather, and we can expect warm and comfortable accommodation, and the warmest of welcomes! Itinerary Days 1 - 4 We take a scheduled flight from London - Warsaw and drive to the Masurian Lakes, where we spend four nights. Next day we start our exploration of the Masurian Lakes, a beautiful region of lake and forest. Busy with tourists in the summer, the area will be very quiet at this time, with the resident mammals, especially, much more likely to be seen than during the spring and summer. The rich mammalian fauna of the area includes Wolf, Lynx, Wild Boar, reintroduced European Beaver, Otter, Red and Roe Deer, Pine and Beech Marten, Polecat, Stoat, Weasel, Red Squirel, Fox, Racoon Dog, and, outstandingly, a population of Wolf. Birds still present in winter, and often showing well, include White-tailed Eagle, Nutcracker, and several Woodpeckers including the ever-impressive Black. As well as short walks around the lakes and forests during the day, we'll be venturing out at night to listen for owls, or the spine-tingling sound of Wolves howling, as well as taking the opportunity to watch the night sky with no light pollution. We'll also have the chance to warm up in a traditional sauna! Four nights Masurian Lakes Day 5 We drive to the Biebrza Marshes. In the afternoon we travel through the marshes on a horse-drawn sleigh, watching for mammals, especially Elk. In the evening we join Marek and his family at their remarkable home deep in the marshes. Beautifully constructed in traditional local style by Marek himself, the house forms the centre of a farm where Marek breeds Tarpan horses - thought to be the closest equivalent of the original Wild Horse of Europe - for conservation work both in Poland and overseas. We will see how the Tarpan herd is faring, as well as experiencing a warm Polish welcome from the Borkowski family. Overnight Biebrza Days 6 - 8 In the morning we'll have some time for birdwatching on the marshes, with a chance of seeing Rough-legged Buzzard amongst other species. We then travel southeast to the primeval forest of Bialowieza - one of the largest areas of virgin lowland woodland on the continent. Bialowieza's huge trees, some thought to be over two thousand years old, form the core of the forest, but there are several other habitat types in the area, including riverine marshes and secondary woodland. The forest is probably most famous for its re-introduced herd of European Bison, huge and sometimes surprisingly elusive beasts, which are best seen as they emerge from the deep forest to find food in the winter. A range of other mammals includes Red and Roe Deer, with Wolves never far away. Snow provides ideal conditions in which to track the movements of the local Wolf pack, and although we will have to be very lucky, this is probably one of the only trips we offer in Europe which offers a realistic chance of actually seeing one! Birds here in winter include Hazel Grouse, Waxwing, Nutcracker and Black Grouse, as well as the resident woodpeckers, which include White-backed and Three-toed. The surrounding countryside is a delightful mix of farmland, wetland and forest: right on the Belarus border, this is 'Peter and the Wolf' country, with scattered small villages with traditional wooden houses (some complete with Grandfather and Cat!) at the edge of the forest. Three nights Bialowieza Day 9 We drive back to Warsaw, and should have time to see something of the remarkable reconstructed old city centre before taking our return flight to London. Please note that we can arrange optional extensions to the trip in Warsaw, for a chance to spend a bit more time in this delightful city. Accommodation Hotels with all rooms en suite. A limited number of single rooms are available. Lunches are usually taken at local restaurants, and the food throughout the trip is excellent. Leaders: John Muddeman and local Polish naturalist guides. |
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Numbers : Max. 14 clients Price : £ 1,325 Single supp. £ 175 Deposit : £ 200 per person The price is per person and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London - Warsaw, accommodation, meals, ground transportation by minicoach, incidental tips, admissions and national park fees, and the services of the leaders. The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to local drivers and guides, and other personal expenses. This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays. |
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