Spring Birding in Lithuania

Lithuania is a surprisingly beautiful country, as well as a wonderful location in which to watch wildlife throughout the year. Its landscapes comprise a diverse mix of lowland bogs, river valleys, agricultural fields, lake systems and vast tracts of taiga forest. On this new tour we will explore both the coastal habitats in the west of the country and the forests of the east, aiming to experience the best spring birding that Lithuania has to offer.

Ventė Cape will be our base for the first three nights of the holiday, as we explore the Nemunas Delta. During early morning walks from our hotel we will look for such species as Barred Warbler and White Stork, whilst excursions further afield to the delta’s islands, marshlands, raised bogs and meadows may yield Citrine Wagtail, Whiskered Tern, Montagu’s Harrier and Greater Spotted Eagle. Near Rusne Island we will look for two of eastern Europe’s most sought-after species, Aquatic Warbler and Great Snipe. Leaving the delta, we will head for Curonian Spit, where we will stay for two nights near the village of Nida. To get there, a lagoon-crossing by boat will give us the chance to look for White-tailed Eagles. The spit offers us some interesting landscapes to explore. Tawny Pipit, Hobby and Velvet Scoter may often be seen near the Juodkrantė ringing station and the nearby woodlands are home to Redbreasted Flycatcher. Elk, the largest of the world’s cervids, are also regularly seen here, and we will be looking out for this impressive mammal as we explore the Grey Dunes.

Moving on, we next travel across Lithuania from west to east, appreciating the diversity of the countryside en route. The destination for our final three nights is Aukštaitija National Park, a region clothed in taiga forest, wetlands and meadows dotted with quaint old villages. Morning walks from Miškiniškės (our characterful hotel) may produce Black, Grey-headed, Whitebacked and Three-toed Woodpeckers, whilst an evening visit to the forests may reveal a diminutive Pygmy Owl. Black-throated Divers and Slavonian Grebes breed on the nearby lakes and wetlands and Corncrakes call from the adjacent meadows. We may also be fortunate enough to see one of Lithuania’s few breeding European Rollers before we make our way back to Vilnius for our flight home.