Our destination was the Red Marsh which is a vast area and where there is said to be a population of one thousand Elk. Apparently the water levels were too high to drive through and around. Eventually we were allowed limited access and to reach a good vantage point we walked for just under an hour with an estimated distance of three and half kilometers. As we waited for access we saw a male Black Redstart - it had to be an early arrival. In an adjacent paddock there was a Konic Stallion which is a descendent of the first horses and now used in the U.K. for habitat management.
On the way we passed a monument to the villagers that were taken into the forest and shot by the Germans. We saw several such sites on previous days. Again there is so much history.
In the birding sense it was a very quiet day. The habitat that we were in is poor for many species.
On the walk we passed a sanctuary for Wild Boar, Elk and Raptors. I have noticed that there are people who care about the environment and nature. We were on a sandy track that enabled us to see prints of Elk, Wild Boar, Wolf and Fox. Also Wolf dropping indicated their diet of Boar and on one pile was an Orange Underwing Moth. A very good spot for the more observant. And we saw both male and female Brimstone Butterflies flying through the trees. There were some birds around including Raven, Buzzard and in the distance a male Marsh Harrier was see.
One area we walked on a boardwalk which was over a raised bog. Growing on it and through it were Birch Trees and really it could be any swamp, but it wasn't. Another special treat for us and something completely different.
We had been out all day and after a quick evening meal we travelled to Wizna Village on the Narew River where we looked for Beavers from a boat with the aid of spotlights. The Beavers seemed not to pay that much attention to the sound of the boat engine or to the light. In fact they swam into a beam. We watched one for about 15 minutes as it chewed away and from time to time scratched itself apparently unconcerned with human presence about 20 metres away. I am told that they do react to human voices. We had some wonderful views and Michelle was able to photograph them.
In the beam of the light there were insects flying and Pipistrelle Bats too. Also I caught sight of a Kingfisher as it flew across.
It was a cold evening with a slight sleet shower and then we headed back to the hotel and a beer.
It was a tough day for the legs and feet and we completed over twenty thousand steps according to Fitbit.
No comments:
Post a Comment