Saturday morning and Dave Fell met 45 participants on the Polish Bird Festival at Heathrow for our flight to Warsaw and onward bus transfer to our hotel, arriving just before dinner. Here we were met by Dick Filby who flew out on Thursday.

Sunday our first day in the field and weather-wise what a start, fine and sunny all day. Pre-breakfast walks around the hotel resulted in views of Wryneck at nest box, several Red-backed Shrikes, Hawfinch, Barred Warbler, Black Redstarts, Montagues Harrier, Grey-headed Woodpecker and, for a lucky few, Thrush Nightingale, although for most people this and River Warbler were only heard singing.

Breakfast was followed by an introductory meeting after which a bus left for a two-day trip to the Narew and Biebrza Marshes. This was the first of three such trips the others departing Tuesday and Thursday (see separate report).

Other trips during the day were to the boardwalk and Budy Bridge focusing on woodpeckers. Excellent views were had of a pair of White-backed Woodpeckers feeding young and Black Woodpeckers were also seen visiting a nest hole. Three-toed Woodpecker eventually gave itself up whilst patience was required to see Middle Spotted Woodpecker.

Also seen were Lesser Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Hobby, Crane, Collared Flycatcher, Icterine Warbler and Raven. White Storks seemed to be everywhere.

Monday was wet at first but cleared for a fine but overcast day. The early start to Lake Siemianowka and Bachury Fishponds, returning for lunch, was a success. Highlights being three species of marsh tern, plenty of Little Gulls, Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes, breeding Whooper Swans, Ferruginous Duck, adult Mediterranean Gull, Caspian Gull, Citrine Wagtails, White-tailed Eagles, Crane, Great Reed Warblers, Montague Harriers and Marsh Hariers too numerous to count.

On our return a visit to the old hotel at Bondary nearly resulted in 19 new inmates to the hospital/sanatorium or whatever it now is. Black Woodpecker and a fine singing male Serin were seen in the nearby village.

Local walks were taken finding Hawfinch (nest building), River Warbler, Thrush Nightingale, Barred Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatcher, Crested Tit and Hazel Hen. The Three-toed and White-backed Woodpeckers were again seen from the boardwalk and a surprise here was a Tengmalms Owl calling.

In the evening, most of the group chose to ignore the log call and went to see a Pygmy Owl (could not blame them really, half a chance I would have been there too).

Tuesday started foggy but cleared to give a fine sunny day. No early trips today so those who decided against a lie-in birded locally finding the now familiar birds —River Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Wryneck, Shrikes, etc. Hazel Hen was again proving difficult and only showed to a few whilst Crossbills were a good find.

After breakfast the second trip to the marshes departed closely followed by a mini bus to Kosy Most. On the way to Kosy Most a short stop for a raptor resulted in great views of displaying Lesser Spotted Eagles and buzzards. Sparrowhawk and Cranes were also present. A Common Buzzard and Honey Buzzard riding a thermal gave the opportunity for direct comparison whilst another buzzard was scrutinised and a discussion ensued as to whether it was a Steppe Buzzard. The jury is still out on that one.

At Kosy Most it took almost five minutes before three Nutcrackers were persuaded to visit the car park area, staying for so long we eventually had to leave them. A walk was then taken to Kosy Bridge for a raptor watch. On the way a lucky few saw Hazel Hen and the rest were attacked by mosquitos. At the bridge, Black Storks, Honey Buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Barred Warbler were all seen.

After evening meal, trips were made for Pygmy owl (successful) and Corncrake (failed).

Wednesday was wet at first after overnight thunderstorms. Much of the day was overcast with occasional showers.

The weather did not deter a full bus from leaving for the lake and for their efforts saw White-tail and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Citrine Wagtail, Great White Egrets, marsh terns, Black Stork and an Elk. Bird of the day here must go to the light phase Arctic Skua which passed through.

The group then went to Bachury Fishponds where the resident Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes and Whooper Swans gave excellent views. Little Gulls flew amongst the marsh terns and the pair of Ferruginous Ducks were still present.

The star turn here was a Black Kite which harassed a White-tailed Eagle on a prey item. The eagle flew off only to be replaced by a Lesser Spotted Eagle which eventually departed carrying the prey, possibly a dead hare.

Around the hotel good views were had of River Warbler, Thrush Nightingale and Great Grey Shrike. At the boardwalk a Marsh Warbler was new for the list. Several of the group ventured out on bicycles and had good mammal sightings including Red Deer, Fox and Pine Martin. At Kosy Most, Nutcracker and Hazel Hen were seen.

 Thursday was wet, very wet, the rain clearing by early evening. This resulted in fewer birds being seen.

After breakfast the third and final trip departed to the marshes.

At Kosy Most two Nutcrackers were present along with Red-backed Shrike, Black Woodpecker, Barred Warbler, Long-tailed Tit (white headed form) and a Corncrake.

The "Bison Search" fared little better, finding only footprints and droppings. Birds here were White-backed, Lesser Spotted and Black Woodpeckers and a couple of Hazel Hen.

Today saw the first of three guided walks into the Primeval Forest with local guide, Arek. A "keep-on-the trail" walk of three hours and a chance to see a unique remnant of the forest that once covered Europe. Collared and Red-breasted Flycatchers, woodpeckers and a few warblers were the only birds seen but this did not matter as Arek’s knowledge of the forest and its history made it a fascinating afternoon despite the wet weather.

Friday was a bright but windy day and an early trip went to the lake and fishponds. Here raptors were the order of the day with eight White-tailed Eagles, Honey and Common Buzzards, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel being seen along with Black Stork, Cranes, Whiskered Tern and White-winged Black Terns. At the fishponds the Whooper Swans, Ferruginous Ducks and grebes were still present and a brief stop en route to the hotel yielded Corncrake and Ortolan Bunting.

Today’s "Bison search" again found dung but no Bison. Six species of woodpecker more than made up for the disappointment.

People who opted for the Primeval Forest walk not only enjoyed the experience of Arek and this fantastic reserve but also scored with probably the bird of the trip when a Great Grey Owl flew through the trees and perched for all to see. Stunning.

Today’s log was conducted by Tony Marr whose wit and humour amused us all. A great end to a great day.

Saturday was warm and sunny, the best day of the week. Most of the group played catch up, trying to find birds that they had failed to see during the week, notably, Hazel Hen. Local walks and cycle rides were the order of the day.

The Primeval Forest walk was fully booked with the people who had been on the final marshes trip and they set off with great anticipation of seeing the Great Grey Owl but it was not to be. Good views of Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers along with White-backed Woodpecker were had but could not make up for the disappointment of not seeing the owl.

At Kosy Most a Nutcracker and a Hobby were seen and in the Palace Park the first Common Rosefinch of the trip was seen along with a Corncrake.

That evening we all went to a farewell party which featured a group of Belarussian folk singers in traditional costume, a huge log fire, and sausages on sticks. A great evening ending with a full rendering of "On Ilkley Moor Bar t’At".

Sunday was again fine and sunny and after breakfast our coach set off to Warsaw airport. After a short and uneventful flight we arrived at Heathrow on time. We all said our goodbyes and went our different ways. Thus ending another successful Polish Bird Festival.

Report on the first visit to Biebrza Marshes — 11th-12^th May 2003

The number of people attending the Festival was such that we were divided into three groups for visits to the famous Biebrza Marshes, home of large number of special wetland birds, and where our main target species were Great Snipe and Aquatic Warbler. The first group left after breakfast on 11^th on a nice warm, sunny morning.

From the minibus en route we saw several White Storks, a Common Buzzard and two Rollers on wires beside the road, and shortly after we stopped at a known Roller site at Krynickie. Here we enjoyed good ‘scope’ views of a pair of these beautiful birds on wires, while around us were Red-backed Shrikes, Fieldfares, and Hoopoe and three more Common Buzzards.

In the early afternoon we stopped for two very enjoyable hours at the Fishponds at Dojlidy. We found four species of grebe, all of course in full summer plumage, but ironically could not find a Little Grebe to complete the set. There were flocks of marsh terns wheeling around, with some 15 stunning White-winged Blacks among 20 Whiskered and 30 Blacks. Ten Little Gulls included six lovely adults in summer plumage. We heard two Great Bitterns booming, watched a pair of Penduline Tits at their nest, and had close view of some 30 Great Reed Warblers singing very loudly and flying about in the reedbeds.

By late afternoon we had reached our hotel for the night, in Goniadz, where the weather had deteriorated into drizzle. A walk before our early dinner produced two ringtail Montagu’s Harriers, a dozen or so White Storks and several Hooded Crows. After dinner, we boarded our vehicle for the drive into the Biebrzanski National Park, where the rain thankfully stopped, and after a 20-minute walk we reached the viewing platform for the Great Snipe lek. Here we were very lucky in seeing action from the word go, in good light, both from the platform and a little further along the track. A total of about 10 birds were indulging in their posturing and preening, jumping up into the air every few minutes after pointing their bills and tails upwards, before flying a few yards, displaying a lot of white at the sides of their tails, and disappearing into the grass. A Corncrake was calling from the grass, and eventually showed itself fairly close to the platform. With a background of singing Thrush Nightingales and roding Woodcock, a fitting ending to a successful visit was the spectacle of a flock of 24 Common Cranes passing over calling.

Next morning was again damp and drizzly as we birded around the hotel before breakfast. Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers (including three lovely male Monty’s) were hunting over the marshes, where a Corncrake was calling and 20 Common Cranes passed over in small groups. Good views were had of a singing Thrush Nightingale out in the open in a tree, while a male Serin was watched near the hotel.

We reached the Biebrza Marshes after breakfast, the weather being dry but cool and windy. This inhibited the Aquatic Warblers from singing, and after a great deal of time and effort by our local guide, Andy, about half the group had seen one, but not the best of views.

There were, however, tremendous compensations. Most extraordinary was the finding of another Great Snipe lek, close to the track, and hitherto unknown, where we watched about six jumping and flapping in much better light than on the previous evening. There were at least two pairs of Montagu’s Harriers, giving terrific views including display; 20 more Common Cranes whose trumpeting calls echoed across the misty marshes; Garganey , Ruffs, Common Snipe and Black-tailed Godwits all the way along our walk; a flock of distant mixed marsh terns of three species; and among the passerines, a handsome singing male White-spotted Bluethroat, three Winchats and 20 Blue-headed Wagtails. The whole area was alive with birds, in a superb wetland setting.

We stopped before lunch at the river at Brzostowo, a well known wader spot. Here the highlight was five Temminck’s Stints feeding by the water, along with Ringed Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits, at least 100 Ruff in an amazing variety of plumages and six Wood Sandpipers.

After lunch, our final birding of the day was to take a trip by punt out into the reedbeds at Waniewo in the Narodowe National Park. This was an unusual experience, rather peaceful and quiet, with five Hobbies overhead catching insets, about 100 Wood Sandpipers flying up from the muddy margins of the reeds, and two Savi’s Warblers reeling from the reedstems. Unusual sightings were of a first summer Mediterranean Gull hawking for insects with Black-headed Gulls before the boat trip and a female Red-footed Falcon doing the same afterwards. This brought to an end two excellent and successful days birding in some of the best habitat in Eastern Europe.