DAY THREE IN BIALOWEIZA (March 21st updated with photographs)

On Tuesday 21st March we had a series of short walks which is different from the previous two days. I was up at 5.30am and only four of us went out for a walk in the town park, Palace Park, which was formally for the Russian Czars. Nicholas Second's Palace once stood here but all that remains are some stables. On the site now stands an imposing building which houses a museum and the offices for the Park Authority. There must be so much history here if only we had time.



It was raining heavily when we stepped outside and the temperature was at least seven degrees.

Bullfinches were everywhere
Siskins were flying in a flock and feeding on the ground.
Waxbills again for the third time - Fantastic and much closer to see.
Chaffinch
Great and Blue Tits were in the trees.
Reed Buntings
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker called and then it flew from tree to tree landing on the trunks at our level. It was a female and this is the best view that I have ever had.
Black Headed Gulls flew over.
On the lake we saw:
Golden Eye - one male and two females
Mallard
Wigeon
Great White Egret
Grey Herons X two.

Around the lake there was ample evidence of Beaver. There was one tree with a diameter of more than two feet with only the core not eaten through. Other trees they had started on and these were now protected with netting otherwise there would be no trees left! After WW2 there were few beavers and then some were introduced and now there is a substantial population.

What a fantastic hour and then back for some more great food for breakfast. All the meals have been of high quality in Polish style and there has been plenty of it.

Out again with one layer of clothing shed to Wysokie Vagno Forest.

In the forest we saw:

Waxwings outside the front of the hotel
Siskin
GS Woodpecker
Crested Tit with three sightings and eventually I had clear views when perched.
Willow Tit and a great view too
Great and Blue Tits
Gold crest (but not a clear sight for me - yet)
Crossbill (again not a clear view - yet)
Hawfinch
Yellow Hammer singing and another good view
Mistle Thrush in good voice
Song Thrush
Fieldfare
Treecreeper - I need to get a view of this one
Jay
Raven
Buzzard
Bullfinches were everywhere.
House Sparrows.

We had a short stop to see a Beaver dam and a lodge which we thought was in current use.

Back for lunch at 12.45 pm.

A target bird for this walk was Crested Tit which was successful and the Three Toed Woodpecker which we will still try to find.

After lunch we went to a dryer part of the forest - Place of Power - where it was very quiet. We moved on and we were successful.
Michelle saw and pointed out a Three Toed Woodpecker and I saw it fly across the road and then perch. ID was confirmed. We also tried again for the Pygmy Owl, but for then no luck. However two Hazel Grouse flew fast and low, but not seen by me.
Three Red Stags crossed a track that we were on and the last one stood long enough to be photographed.

On route we saw a very large amount of Chaffinches.

Then to the same site as last night for the elusive Pygmy Owl at the Black Trail, near to Budy Village at Old Bialowieźa. We got lucky when one flew across the open space that we were in and then four flew quickly through apparently chasing one another. This may seem to be too good to be believed, but four of these species have been seen on a recent occasion.

It is the first day of spring and Brown Frogs, Moor Frogs and Common Toads were active and needed to be avoided when driving. Apparently it is going to rain tonight and the frogs know this and so they have become active.

Moor Frogs

Common Toad

What a great day. It started well and ended strongly. Now we move on to Biebrza Marshes.

While completing this blog I met two people who are local and work in the park. One we passed when he was leading a group of school children in the forest. The other works in the park and is concerned with Spotted Eagle nest sites. It is so wonderful to see and speak to local people who work in and for the environment.