Poland in Summer

Poland was one of the first countries in eastern Europe to open its doors to birdwatchers and we have been running tours here in search of Aquatic Warblers, Great Snipe and woodpeckers for over 25 years! Although much has changed over the past quarter of a century, the pace of change has been slowest in Poland’s peaceful north-eastern corner. Pristine primeval forests – some of the last in Europe – and extensive wetlands stand as a final refuge for wildlife that has been squeezed out of much of the rest of the continent. Fortunately, farming in this region has yet to fully embrace the intensification that has blighted much of the land further west and this habitat-rich patchwork of traditional agricultural land, forests, wetlands and meadows is home to, not only the rich diversity of birds we have enjoyed over so many years, but a wonderful variety of butterflies and dragonflies too.

As spring turns to summer, a colourful mix of butterflies and dragonflies take to the wing. Northeastern Poland is a melting pot of boreal, continental and Siberian lepidoptera. Over 100 species have been recorded in the forests of Bialoweiza and a similar number live in the riverine habitats along the Biebrza River. This tour focuses on these two wildlife havens and, in particular, on the region’s butterflies and dragonflies. We start with a flight into Warsaw, Poland’s capital, before transferring to the ancient forests of Bialoweiza, close to the Belarus border, for the first three nights of the tour. After exploring the primeval woodlands in the ‘Strict Reserve’, we will go in search of Poplar Admiral, Moorland Clouded Yellow and Geranium Argos. Birds include White-backed Woodpecker, and we may even catch sight of one of Europe’s last remaining European Bison. Moving on, we will conclude our tour in Biebrza National Park in which the Biebrza River meanders through 600 square kilometres of protected wetlands and woodlands. We will be based for four nights in the small town of Goniadz, from where we will look for Scarce, Nickerl’s and Cranberry Fritillaries, plus Large, Sooty, Scarce and Violet Coppers. A variety of dragonflies will be hawking for insects – over 60 species have been recorded in north-eastern Poland – whilst for added variety we hope to see Elk and Aquatic Warbler, before we need to return to Warsaw to catch our flight home.