Winter Wonderland

Travelling to Poland in winter has a lot of advantages.   The country, for instance, offers one of the best mammal-watching in Europe, being home to large populations of species that became extinct in other parts of the continent.  Those include Wild Boar, Elk, Lynx, Wolf, Beaver and the magnificent European Bison.  Snow cover is almost guaranteed and, therefore, tracking these animals is much easier and they are more visible against the white landscape and thinner vegetation.  Also, often they congregate in bigger groups.  On occasions, cold weather forces them to come closer to man and they appear tamer.  Birding in Poland is also rewarding, as a lot of breeding species, rare in the western Europe, overwinter here and, like mammals, they are more visible in the winter landscape. 

Our six-day tour to Poland includes a visit to a famous Bialowieza Forest and pristine Biebrza Marshes.  

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 80 years, the Bialowieza Forest has developed naturally, sustaining the unique character of its primeval origin. 

The unique value of the Bialowieza Forest is its biological richness.   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 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 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.  The landscape of Biebrza Marshes is one of true wilderness with a romantic feel to it, and at the same time, fascinating and outstandingly rich in plant and animal communities.  In winter, the vast open space becomes even more illusive under a cover of white snow and ice.

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.  The area is a stronghold for many central European species.   It is also famous for its outstanding population of Elks and Beavers.  In addition, the Wolf, Lynx, Wild Boar, Red Deer and Roe Deer also inhabit the park and we will devote some time to track these animals.