Birds, Beavers and Bisons

For a lot of people, Poland is associated with grey shipyards, Solidarity and the breakdown of a socialistic regime.  Not many people know that Poland holds the most pristine and unspoiled habitats in Europe and offers one of the best wildlife and cultural experiences on the continent.  

This tour will take you to a peaceful rural landscape in the north east part of the country, where we will explore three prestine locations:  Bialowieski, Narwianski and Biebrzanski National Parks.  The parks are known as the Green Lungs of Poland, whose ecological importance and serene beauty are unparalleled anywhere in Europe.

The  Bialowieza  Forest is  Europe's  last  natural  deciduous  and mixed  forest  preserved in  a  primeval  state

Hardly touched by human management throughout its history and under strict protection for over 70 years, the Bialowieza forest has developed naturally, sustaining the unique character of its primeval origin. 

The unique value of Bialowieza Forest is its biological richness.   The flora comprises over 4,500 species.  Over 630 species of vascular plants, 150 species of moss, 210 species of lichens and over 3000 species of fungi grow here.  Over 10,000 animal species inhabit the forest of which the majority are insects (over 9,000). One hundred and twenty species of birds breed in the forest, including 12 species of raptors, eight species of owls and an impressive nine species of woodpeckers! 

What could be a better home for Europe’s biggest land mammal, the magnificent European Bison.  Two thousands years ago, it inhabited most of Europe.  Today, in Bialowieza, a free-living population of 300 thrives in their natural environment.  The forest is also home to Wolf, Wild Boar, Lynx, Elk, Red Deer, Roe Deer, Beaver and 12 species of bats.

This incredible diversity of plants and animals in its primeval form has been recognised by the UNESCO and the Bialowieza Forest has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites and as a Biosphere Reserve.

The  Biebrza  Wetland is  the  largest   and  the  best preserved  peat  bog in  Europe

The Biebrza Marshes encompass a variety of undisturbed and valuable natural wetland habitats, including various types of marshes, peatlands and wet forests.  It stretches for 120 km in length and up to 40 km in width. 

Biebrza’s greatest assets are the birds.  The park was included in the list of the Ramsar sites in 1995 as an internationally important wetland for migratory birds.  Of the 235 species of birds recorded, 157 breed here and a further 19 are possible breeders.  The Biebrza is a stronghold for many central European species.  Here, Great Snipe males display in numbers unparalleled anywhere in central Europe. Between 2,500 to 3,500 pairs of Aquatic Warbler breed in the marshes, making it the second most important breeding area in its entire range.  Two hundred pairs of Cranes breed here, the largest population in central Europe.  So are the breeding populations of White-winged Black Terns (up to 5,000 breeding pairs), Scarlet Rosefinches (3,000 - 4,000 pairs), Water Rails, Spotted Crakes, Corncrakes, Bitterns and Eagle Owls.   Here, the Elk can be seen at its best looking relaxed in an open space.