Poland
Poland is a great country for birds and birders: there are vast marshes, dense coniferous and deciduous forests, a long coastline, thousands of lakes, old riverine forests, high mountains, and mile after mile of traditionally worked farmlands. But Poland is one of the largest countries in Europe and thus needs several visits to do it and its birdlife justice. Most birders head from the capital Warsaw straight to the famous forests and marshes of the north-east, or perhaps to the Baltic Coast. Yet the country is dotted with many other impressive but perhaps less famous birding areas such as the Warta Mouth NP, the Odra Valley, Milicz Ponds & the wild Bieszczady Mountains: see BIRDING IN EASTERN EUROPE and WHERE TO WATCH BIRDS IN EASTERN EUROPE.
Spring and summer are the seasons to visit when White Storks are common roadside birds and in some regions Lesser Spotted Eagle is the most frequently seen raptor. Autumn on the Baltic Coast is good for migration, too. Winter has it's attractions though the weather can be severe
When one considers that Poland has several regions which are home to some of the larger mammals - Brown Bear, Wolf, Lynx, Elk, European Bison and Beaver - which are now very scarce if not extinct in most of western Europe, then perhaps the richness and size of the country's habitats can be grasped. On the bird front Poland is arguably the best country in Europe to see Aquatic Warbler, in some areas Corncrakes are common (as elsewhere there's a fluctuating poulation of calling males from year to year), there are some accessible Great Snipe leks, one or two pairs of Greater Spotted Eagle and all the European woodpeckers breed, though not all in the same habitats or areas, of course!
BIRDS & MAMMALS:
TRACKING & TREKKING IN THE
POLISH CARPATHIANS
This classic Probirder autumn itinerary takes in two main areas in southern Poland: the
Tatra and Bieszczady National Parks. We focus on searching for special forest birds such as
Pygmy & Ural Owls, Hazel Grouse, Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpeckers and Nutcracker, and in
tracking large mammals such as Wolf, Brown Bear, European Bison, Beaver and Chamois. The tour
usually runs in November when many trees are covered in shades of reds and browns and the
forests are rich in fungi. We spend most of our time in unspoilt countryside where farming is
still practised in harmony with nature and sample local cuisine rather than "hotel fare". There
are some upland walks but also easier sections and all in all the tour is ideal for non-birding
partners as the countryside is scenic and rich in rural architecture such as wooden
churches. The tour starts and ends in Krakow.
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Good Reasons to Visit Poland
White-tailed Eagle
Lesser Spotted Eagle
Greater Spotted Eagle
Black Grouse
Hazel Grouse
Corncrake
Great Snipe
White-backed Woodpecker
Three-toed Woodpecker
Thrush Nightingale
Red-breasted Flycatcher
Aquatic Warbler
Common Rosefinch
Ortolan Bunting
 To
arrange a bespoke birding tour to Poland email us at Probirder.
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