Introduction

Bialowieza forest is situated in north-eastern Poland, at the border of Belarus, about 200km NE from Warsaw.

It is the last, most natural forest complex of the lowlands in Europe. In the central part of the forest is the Bialowieski National Park, part of which is under strict protection. The Park has been declared by UNESCO a World Biosphere Reserve and put on the World Heritage List.

The forest has been protected for centuries as the best hunting area of Polish kings and Russian tsars. A lot of trees are of an impressive size, shape and age - highest spruces, limes and oaks are over 50m high and oldest oaks are over 400 years. These huge trees and a lot of decaying trunks lying on the ground gives a realistic feeling of ancient, unspoiled nature akin to the original "wildwood" of the UK.

Within this vast tract of mixed forest lie 47.5 square kilometres of untouched primeval woodland, the largest remaining tract left on the continent and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Outside the Strict Reserve, as it is known locally, the managed portion of Bialowieza covers a further 580 square kilometres, a mosaic of mature and young woodland, riverine marshes, willow thickets and wet meadows that combine to create one of Europe's most important bird habitats. The total recorded number of bird species is around 228, with 159 breeding. From the point of view of the enthusiastic birdwatcher, the following are the most exciting species to spot:

• Barred Warbler
• Black Stork
• Black Woodpecker
• Capercaillie
• Collared flycatcher
• Corncrake
• Eagle Owl
• Great Grey Owl
• Grey-header woodpecker
• Hazel Hen (Hazel Grouse)
• Hoopoe
• Lesser Spotted Eagle
• Middle Spotted Woodpecker
• Nutcracker
• Pygmy Owl
• Red-backed shrike
• Red-breasted flycatcher
• Tengmalm's Owl
• Three-toes woodpecker
• Thrush Nightingale

Most bird reserves are known for something "special" - in the case of Bialowieza it is probably best known for its woodpeckers. In fact all 10 European species of woodpecker can be found in the forest - if not all that easily!

The best known attraction of the Park are the European Bison, that was reintroduced there in 1929 (the last wild European Bison became extinct in Bialowieza in 1919). Other mammals in the park include: Deer, Wolf, Lynx and Beaver. The Park is also a site for numerous research projects conducted by scientists from all over the world.

Bialowieza Programme

• Day 1
  Travel ? > Warsaw > Bialowieza
  
  Short lecture, firrst trip to the Bialowieza Primaeval Forest
  Welcome dinner by the camp fire
  
  
• Day 2
  6:00am
  Breakfast
  
  7:00am - 5:00pm
  Workshop in the Strict Reserve of the Bialowieza National Park, Long walk - 21 km
  
  During the trip we will discuss:
    •   History of the Bialowieza Primeval Forest and Bialowieza National Park
    •   Forms of protection in natural and planted forest
    •   Biodiversity of lowland leafy forest on example of Bialowieza National Park
    •   Dead wood significance in the forest ecosystem
    •   Bird watching focused on woodpeckers and song-birds
    •   Two meal breaks about half an hour each
    •   Dinner by the camp fire.
  
  
• Day 3
  7:00am - 7:45am
  Breakfast
  
  8:00am - 6:00pm
  Bus and walking tour of the commercial forest and most interesting nature reserves - 18-20 km of walking
  
  We will discuss:
    •   Characterization of 8-10 lowland forest habitats with an accent on differences between natural and planted forest
    •   History of economy and administration of the Bialowieza Forest from XV century to modern times.
    •   Lunch in the forest
    •   Birdwatching focused on woodpeckers and song- birds
    •   Dinner
  
  
• Day 4
  4:00am - 8:00am
  Early morning trip to watch wild living bisons
  8:00 - 8:45am
  Breakfast
  
  9:00am - 1:00pm
  Bus transfer to Siemianowka artificial lake and birdwatching mostly of of birds of prey and water birds
  
  1:30pm - 2:15pm
  Beaver Reserve. Dams, beaver lodges, forest floded by beavers
  
  2:30pm - 3:30pm
  Visit to the river valley of Narewka meliorated in XIX century and not explored since 1960.
  
  4:00pm - 6:00pm
  Visit to the Mammal Reserch Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Bialowieza
  Dinner
  
  
• Day 5
  Travel Bialowieza > Warsaw > UK
  Brief "sightseeing" tour of Warsaw on way

Things to Take

The weather in April can be unpredictable - it could be the last gasp of winter or the dawn of spring. This means either snow (0⁰C or below), rain or sunshine. You need to be prepared for all eventualities. Assuming that snow melt is well on its way (as it is likely to be) the other point to bear in mind is that the forest will be very wet - swampy in parts.

Clothing: Clothing which can be added in layers if necessary. Outer waterproof coat/jacket and waterproof trousers. On your feet you will need waterproof walking boots and gaiters are useful to stop your trousers getting wet/muddy when waterproof trousers are not necessary. Hat. Other shoes - for wearing in hostel/town.

Other items: Binoculars, camera, torch, notebook, reading matter, music, small rucksack, thermos (if you want hot drinks), sunglasses/sunscreen (you never know!), DEET based insect repellent, antihistamine/hydrocortisone cream for insect bites, ID books flowers/trees/birds.