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  BIALOWIEZA FOREST
 
Bialowieza Forest is located in NE Poland. It is one of the best preserved forest complexes in Europe. Important bird populations stay here eg Woodpeckers.

Bialowieza National Park - Strict Reserve in May. Flooded alderwoods

Site description
This unique European Forest is the only place where you can find all woodpeckers, 4 species of Flycatchers, both southern as well as boreal species (eg Tengmalm's and Pygmy Owls). Whole Forest covers 595 square km, with twice as much in Belarus. Bialowieza National park has only 103 square km what means that most of the Forest is still logged! Many efforst are undertaken to preserve all the area of Bialowieza Forest and ban logging. 

Bialowieza National Park - Strict Reserve
The area is a fragment of the forest which was not logged for hundreds of years. It is accessible only with licensed guide via entrance located north of Bialowieza village. Depending on the timing it's possible to see here Three-toed Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker as well as Collared, Pied and Red-breasted Flycatcher. Lots of other singing birds possible (Greenish Warbler in VI-VII, Icterine Warbler, Wood Warbler common). Lesser Spotted and Booted Eagles possible at the meadow by the Park 

Zebra Zubra Trail - ca 4 km
The trail leads from the edge of the forest west of Bialowieza village to the Bison's enclosure located by the main road to Hajnowka. The trails runs trough alderwood and some wet spruce forest and requires sometimes better shoes to walk. Several woodpeckers breed here (Three-toed, White-backed, Middle Spotted), Hazelhen possible in more "mossy" part of the trail. Neighbourhood of the encolsure also surprisingly good for woodpeckers, including also Grey-headed. 

Oaks Trail - ca 4 km
As a continuation (back to Bialowieza from the enclosure) of "Zebra Zubra" you may choose wooden trail through oak-hornbeam forest leading E from the corner of the parking lot near the enclosure. Good numbers of old oaks and other broad leaved trees speak for themselves. Nutcracker, White-backed Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpeckers possible.

Getting there
From Warsaw 250-300 km depending on the chosen road. Usually plan 3-4 hours for driving.

Accomodation
Numerous hotels including highest standards ("Zubrowka" Best Western) and cosy pensions like "Unikat", "Wejmutka"  or "Ostoja".

Special birds
Lesser Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Black Stork , Three-toed Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker

Rarities recorded
Great Grey Owl, Hawk Owl, Bonelli's Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler

 

SPECIAL BIRDS
Pygmy Owl is quite abundant though elusive bird staying in older parts of the forest, often by with spruces and pines. Active mostly at dusk.
Hawk Owl was recorded in Pogorzelce village in the winter of 2002/2003.
Three-toed Woodpecker - breeding in wet stands with dead wood, especially spruce. Late breeder - youngsters leave the holes late June.
   
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