Belarus - Birding in the Ultimate East of Europe

Highlights

-visiting 2 National Parks conserving ancient forests and endless floodplains

-wide variety of undisturbed habitats and wildlife

-many truly Eastern bird species in large numbers

-scenic rural countryside with painted wooden houses and friendly people

Accommodation

4 nights at Pripyatsky NP

1 night at Sporovo Reserve

3 nights in Belowezhkaya Pushcha NP

Departure Dates

http://www.ecotours-worldwide.com/dates-prices

Price

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Ask for the actual price.

Our price includes:

- all travel as noted in the itinerary;

- all accommodation based on shared rooms, single rooms for extra charge;

- 3 meals per day, generally breakfast, packed lunch, dinner (consists of at least two courses);

- services of the leader(s);

- trip materials.

Not included:

- flights to and from London/Minsk;

- optional programmes to places of interest and entrance fees involved;

- airport and other departure taxes, tips;

- food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries;

- excess baggage charges;

- telephone calls;

- alcoholic beverages;

- compulsory personal insurance.

If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.

Activity level

Easy walks; rain and colder weather possible

Itinerary

Days1-5

After landing at the Airport we drive to the famous Pripyatsky NP. We spend 4 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. On Turov Meadow evenings often produce spectacular gatherings of hundreds of migrating Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff including many extremly colorful males, but elegant Spotted Redshanks are also found in good numbers.

Surely one of the strongest candidate for bird of the trip will be Azure Tit. Belarus is the only place in Europe where we have good chances to find this stunning bird in its breeding habitat along the riparian willow forests of the Pripyat river.

We might have some time to discover the ancient oak, spruce and birch forests too. Easy walks can produce White-backed Woodpecker, but we might also find Collared and Red-breasted Flycatcher, Short-toed Treecreeper, Black, Middle Spotted and Three-toed Woodpecker. Thrush Nightingale, Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch, Golden Oriole, Citrine Wagtail are relatively easy to see in this magic place.

Day5

Our next base will be near the Sporovo Reserve, where we will stay for 1 night. Little, Spotted Crakes and Corncrake are all loud at this time of the year, which gives us the chance to spot them, but the evening will surely be spent by searching the first arrivals of Europe's one of the rarest songbirds, the Aquatic Warbler. Great Grey Shrike, Goshawk, Hen and Montague's Harrier, Penduline and Bearded Tit are all common here. Depending on how advanced is Spring we also should have a chance for Common Rosefinch, Golden Oriole, Bluethroat, Savi's and River Warbler.

Days6-8

Our last base will be in the middle of the famous World Heritage Site, the Belowezhskaya Pushcha ancient forest. We will have easy walks amidst ancient trees and focus on species we migth have missed before. The fairy tale woods close to our accommodation holds some breeding pairs of Great Grey Owl. We hope we can admire this magnificent owl at a marshy forest.

Other interesting bird species include Pygmy and Tengmalm's Owls, all European woodpeckers, Crested Tit, Common Crossbill, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatcher. Along Lake Liadskoye Whooper Swan, Wood Sandpiper, Savi's and River Warbler occur. Raptors inlcude White-tailed, Short-toed and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Hen and Montague's Harrier. We also visit a breeding and feeding area of Greater Spotted Eagle.

Day9

We drive back to the airport, birding en route.

Please note that the order of the visited areas might change to suit best the arrival/departure times & birding possibilities.