Sweden Scandinavian Breeding Birds (in conjunction with Birdwatch Magazine)

Scandinavia is home to some of Europe’s most exciting breeding birds. This short tour, based around the beautiful Black River Valley, takes in the cream of them. We will hope fo see five species of owl, three of grouse and at least four of woodpecker, along with Common Crane and a wealth of waterbirds, raptors and passerines.

From our comfortable accommodation in a lakeshore cottage we’ll be exploring some spectacular and unspoilt forest and wetland habitats, which harbour not only these special birds but also an impressive range of mammals including Elk, Wolf and Lynx. This tour brings you into the heart of the real Swedish wilderness that still dominates the landscape of this friendly and prosperous country.

Our first tour, in 2005, yielded 135 odd species including White-tailed Eagles, Black Grouse, Capercaille, (Hazelhen heard daily), Temminck’s Stint, Grey-headed, Black and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Thrush Nightingale, Nutcracker and Ortolan. Both Ural and Tengmalm’s Owls were seen in the hand at nest boxes, Pygmy Owl was finally seen perched high on a tree whilst the group enjoyed a special bonus of Hawk Owl, a male watched bringing food to the female, a species which does not always nest in Southern Sweden.  We are offering two departures next year.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart London Luton at 6.25 am with arrival at Västerås airport at 9.40 am. The leader will be waiting with our tour vehicle. Short break at a small, nearby wetland on Ängsö, a breeding site for several pairs of Slavonian Grebe. Good spot also for Black and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Osprey, Goshawk, Ortolan Bunting, Icterine Warbler and Hawfinch. Ringing excursion for Ural Owls. Capercaillies and Common Cranes might turn up along the road. Evening excursion for Great Grey Owl.

Day 2. Early morning around Färna Ekopark and Kolsva for Three-toed, Black and Grey-headedWoodpeckers and Wryneck. Red-backed Shrikes may just have arrived. In the afternoon, Eagle Owl excursion with Common Rosefinch, Ortolan Bunting and Slavonian Grebes in the vicinity. Relaxed afternoon with optional birdwatching at Lake Fläcksjön with Black Terns, Little Gulls, waders, White-tailed Eagles, Goshawks and Common Cranes.

Evening excursion for Pygmy Owl.

Day 3. Grouse morning with Hazel Grouse excursion. Forest walk in best grouse habitats and lakes with Black-throated Divers and breeding Osprey. Visit to the forest feeding station where Nutcrackers, Greyheaded Woodpeckers, Bullfinches and Crested, Willow, Coal and Long-tailed Tits could all turn up. Evening excursion for Tengmalm’s Owl.

Day 4. Dedicated to the coastal lagoons of the Uppland Baltic Sea coast. Caspian Tern, Little Gull, waders, Montagu’s Harrier and White-tailed Eagle are target species. Visit to virgin forest with good chance of Redbreasted Flycatcher. We pay short visits to one or two lakes on our way back for Great Reed Warblers, Black Terns and many others. Transfer to airport, Departure 22.20 and arrival back at London Luton at 23.35.

Holiday Info

Dates: 24th - 27th May 2007

Leader: Daniel Green

Cost: £799 per person sharing twin rooms

Deposit: £100

Group size: 7 plus the leader

Price includes: return economy class flights including prepaid taxes, ground transport throughout, accommodation in a lakeside cottage in twin rooms with shared shower and wc, all meals, services of WildWings/Birdwatch Magazine leader and bird checklist.

 Price excludes: drinks, insurance and other items of a personal nature.

Birds: Expected no of species 110-120.

2006 Trip report available.

P.S. Look out for our NEW Autumn trip to Sweden, see Birdwatch Magazine.