OUR LAST FULL DAY WITH WILD POLAND (Friday March 24th updated with photographs)

On our last morning it was an early start to see Elk. However outside the hotel I had very close views of both Tree Sparrow, Robin and a pair of Linnets perched within 20 meters. We soon found five Elk close to the road and the photographers got busy. Further on in a flooded field there were two Common Cranes feeding and in front of them five Greylag Geese and it got better. Redshanks called and flew, Snipe were drumming and then flew. In addition there were Lapwing exhibiting their crazy flight. It was a magic few minutes.

After breakfast the objectives were to be waders, Ducks and Geese. We were in an active area for many varieties of birds. The idea was to find a field that did not look like a lake and many fields were totally flooded.

Near the river we had good views of:

Wigeon - in large numbers
Common Pochard
Teal
Tufted Duck
Garganey - three female and one male seen, but I only saw them fly in and out.
Pintail
Geese flying over as usual
Buzzard - another one as usual, but not in any number.
White Tailed Eagle - two good flying views.
Ruff - several good views
Black Tailed Godwits.
Great Crested Grebe.
Cormorants flew over

We passed Roe Deer grazing in the fields and that there is one of the groups of Roe that favour such an habitat while others are forest animals that stray no further than the edge of the trees.

Instead of a packed lunch we went to a bar overlooking the River Bialowieza at Rús. It was easy to get being on the side of a main road and with a patio overlooking the river and flooded valley.

Skylarks were everywhere and could be viewed even on the ground

The afternoon was spent looking at expanses of water and seeing what was on it. We had some real treats.

On one area just above the water level we saw three species of geese - Greylag, Bean and White Fronted.

This also was a good place for all ducks. The common birds listed before are not mentioned again here, but we did see:

Pintail
Shovelers
Smew - both male and female
Golden Eye
SAWBILLS
Goosanders - two female
GULLS
Black Headed
Herring Gull twice and possibly the same bird and a second year.
White Wagtail.
ALSO
Fieldfare in very good numbers.
White Stork and on nest too.
Cranes in many fields
Great Grey Shrike.
Reed Bunting
Red Fox - probably a dog and in very good condition.

There were in addition very good sightings of both Elk and Roe Deer.

And again we weren't finished as the cold wind felt colder and the light began to get less we went to the village of Goniatz. It sits just above the Biebrza River that had expanded across the flood plain. The sunset was another memorable one as we watched about a dozen Great White Egrets come into roost on an 'island' with one Grey Heron.

The whole group has completed a full list for each day of every species seen. I have not included all birds seen every day and tried to be as informative that I can be without being repetitive. We had some very sharp eyed persons in our group and with their knowledge and the knowledge and experience of Andrzej we had confirmation of all species. There was no guessing!