Poland Bird Festival, May 2025

Yet another fantastic Poland Birding Festival in the Białowieża Forest with 14 participants from UK, Finland, Germany and Netherlands.

It was also our second festival in new venue. We now stay at Bojarski Gościniec in Narewka, just on the bank of the river and edge of the Białowieża Forest. It is a fantastic location. Within a walking distance from the venue, we saw:

Grey-headed Woodpecker
Middle-spotted Woodpecker
Lesser-spotted Woodpecker
Black Woodpecker
Wryneck
Lesser-spotted Eagle
Honey Buzzard
Goshawk
Red-backed Shrike
Thrush Nightingale
Common Rosefinch
Corncrake
Collared Flycatcher
Red-breasted Flycatcher
Woodlark
Serin
Golden Oriole
Hawfinch
and of course White Stork nesting next to our venue.

…and numerous warblers such as: Icterine, River, Marsh and Barred.

We organised the festival at the best time to watch all the birds of north-eastern Poland and we saw 170 species, but what most important. Most of the key species were seen up close with many singing their heads out!

Black Stork – once at Siemianówka lake
White-tailed Eagle – several times at Siemianówka lake and in Biebrza Marshes
Montague’s Harrier – at Siemianówka lake and in Biebrza Marshes
Greater Spotted Eagle – at Siemianówka lake and in the Biebrza Marshes
Little Crake – at Dojlidy Fishponds
Ruff – at Siemianówka lake
Great Snipe – up to 13 males showing all the lekking behaviour! So up close as never before! Outstanding views!
Caspian Tern – at Siemianówka lake
White-Winged Tern – at Siemianówka lake
Whiskered Tern – at Siemianówka lake and Dojlidy Fishponds
Black Tern – at Siemianówka lake and Biebrza Marshes
Little Owl – caught at recording on the first night at our venue!
Pygmy Owl – twice in the Forest. Outstanding views at nesting site!
Nightjar – twice in the Biebrza Marshes
Bee-eater – several times near our venue
Hoopoe – several times near our venue and at the Marshes
White-backed Woodpecker – several times in the Forest
Three-toed Woodpecker – in the Unesco Strict reserve and on Biebrza Marshes trip
Tawny Pipit – at Biebrza Marshes
Citrine Wagtail – at Siemianówka lake and in the Marshes
Bluethroat – in the Marshes several times. Outstanding views!
Savi’s Warbler – at the Dojlidy Fishponds
Aquatic Warbler – in the Biebrza Marshes
Bearded Tit – at Dojlidy Fishponds
Crested Tit – in the Forest
Penduline Tit – at Siemianówka lake and in the Biebrza Marshes
Nutcracker – in the Forest
Ortolan Bunting – in the Biebrza Marshes

We have also seen a good selecion of Poland’s mammals:

European Bison – seen 4 times
European Elk (Moose) – seen on  Biebrza Marshes trip
European Beavers – seen in the river next to the festival venue, fantastic views of several on boat trip we organised. Imagine seeing a beaver swiming in the river just next to you while you having your coffee break sitting at the terrace :)

Wolves – seen once and heard howling from the hotel grounds (recorded)!
Lynx – footprints
Wild Boar
Pine Marten
Badger
Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
Raccoon Dog
Red & Roe Deer
Fox

Here are a few of the participants comments:

You were amazing company and the trip was brilliant. Thank you so much. And thank you Tomasz, Peter and Adam.

Eelco

What a great record of a fantastic trip. Many thanks to Wild Poland for laying this on.

Ron

A remarkable record of an amazing trip with super people and the best guides , well done Thomasz and Peter,
The whole experience was so enlightened for me with a very positive view going forward for future trips.

Angela

Best trip ever!! Amazing experience. Incredible biodiversity compared to UK. 33 new bird species for me! Leaders (Tomas and Peter excellent), food, accommodation and organisation outstanding.

Paul

It has been a week full of fun, but also a precious opportunity for passionate discussions and knowledge sharing. Huge thanks to everyone who participated and shared! Thank you for being there and for all your positive comments and feedback.

Finally – let the photos speak for themselves. Most of the photos come from festival participants. Special thanks to Donald Wilson and Murray Wilson. Thank you guys for brilliant photos!