Birding in Wild Poland May 24 th June 8 th, 2008 Chris Leahy Perched between Eastern and Western Europe, Poland has had a varied history, which has shaped it into a delightful and diverse country. Outside of the beautiful cities, with fine examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, there are wild landscapes of rivers, rolling hills and forested mountains. Poland is also a wonderful (and large!) country for birding. There are vast marshes, dense coniferous and deciduous forests, a long coastline, thousands of lakes, high mountains, and mile after mile of traditionally worked farmlands. Our tour will visit the best sites for birds and wildlife, including the Baltic Coast, Masurian Lakes, Biebrza Marsh, the ancient Bialowieza Forest, and the high Tatra Mountains in the Carpathian Mountains.
Birding in Wild Poland May 24 June 8, 2008 Daily Itinerary: Saturday, May 24 th ~ When you arrive in Poland, you will be met by our guide and have a short tour of the Old Town of Warsaw. Dinner, then overnight in Warsaw. Sunday, May 25 th ~ Today, we will transfer to the Baltic coast for two overnight stays. Along the way, we will visit a monumental medieval Malbork (Marienburg) castle of Teutonic Knights (believed to be the biggest brick castle in the world). We will have lunch here in this XIVth century castle. Then we will do some birding in the afternoon at one of the nearby reserves. The coastal meadows on the reserve are grazed by Tarpan horses and breeding birds include Dunlin and Citrine Wagtail. Our hotel is a converted palace in a nice park. Dinner in the hotel restaurant. (nearest town is Gdynia, 25 km away) (B, L, D) Monday, May 26 th ~ Optional pre-breakfast walk around the hotel. Today we will bird along the Baltic coast, including the most northern tip of Poland and a visit to Hel (a thin stripe of land between the sea and a bay). Hel is probably the best bottleneck in Poland for migrating birds; resting and feeding at the tip of peninsula before a "jump" to the Russian coast. We will stop here for lunch, then have dinner and overnight in the same hotel as the night prior. (B,L,D) Tuesday, May 27 th ~ We will travel all day today, birding along the way. We will have a few stops including: a visit to Hanzeatic Gdansk (Danzig), a bird reserve called "Bird Paradise at the mouth of the Vistula River, and Vistula bay where we will look for terns, gulls, and waders. Later in the afternoon, we will arrive at the Masurian Lakes. Our comfortable hotel is nicely located in a forested setting, on the peninsula on the largest lake in Poland. Dinner will be at the Wierzba Hotel, located in the countryside. Overnight at the Wierzba hotel for 2 nights. (nearest town is Pisz, 25 km away) (B, L, D) Wednesday, May 28 th ~ For those who like to rise early, we will have an optional pre-breakfast walk around the hotel. Then after breakfast, we will continue birding the Masurian Lakes area to look for birds such as waterfowl, white-tailed eagle, osprey and black woodpecker. The Masurian Lakes, are remnants of the ice age, when all of northeastern Poland and parts of Europe were covered by ice. There are over 4,000 lakes in the whole area, linked by rivers and canals to form an intricate system of waterways. This area is also home to some of Central Europe s largest forested areas, and thus a haven for wildlife. There are a few mammals in this area (wild boar, deer, etc.) as well as birds, although finding them will be a remote possibility. If the birding gets quiet, we might take some time in the afternoon to visit Sztynort, Wolfsschanze, and a baroque church at Swieta Lipka. (B, L, D) Thursday, May 29 th ~ Today we will continue to explore the Masurian Lakes. After lunch we will transfer (two hours) to Biebrza Marsh hotel (Knieja) for 3 nights' stay. Our hotel is again nicely located in an old Scots Pine forest, on the lake shore. (the nearest town is Grajewo, 25 km away) (B, L, D) Friday, May 30 th & Saturday, May 31 st ~ During these two days, we will spend our time birding in and around the famous Biebrza Marsh. Biebrza Marsh is a vast floodplain of one of the last untamed rivers in Europe and also home to the Great Snipe lek. We will include a day visiting the farm and garden of our local guide. Here we will look for
the Polish specialties: Aquatic warbler, great snipe, corncrake and white-backed woodpecker. There have also been up to 19 species of warblers found here, including Savi's, River, Great Reed Marsh, among others. Hoopoe, grey-headed, middle spotted (also lesser and great) woodpeckers can be found, as well as storks (Black and White), cranes, and any of 20 species of raptors breeding nearby. We will enjoy long al fresco lunches or afternoon teas in the garden (weather permitting). We will start early one morning with a trip to visit a Black Grouse lek and another morning to visit the Ruff leks. One evening, we will take time to visit a Great Snipe lek reserve (the first non-governmental one in Eastern Europe). In between all this, we will do some waterfowl, raptor, crake and warbler watching. Nightjars hunting and breeding nearby are possible in the evening, as well as a bittern and even an eagle owl or Tengmalm's owl. We will look for all three species of marsh terns: whiskered, black and white-winged black. Mammals in the area include: wolf, lynx, and marten. There will be an evening reception at the farm on one day and barbecue (Polish style) dinner on the other. (B, L, D) Sunday, June 1 st ~ Today we will transfer to Bialowieza Forest on the border for three nights' stay (three and a half hours drive, but with several stops it takes all day). Bialowieza Forest is an ancient forest straddling the border between Belarus and Poland. This is the only remaining part of the immense forest that once spread all across the European plain. It is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. We will go birding on fishponds, and at the Siemianówka reservoir on the way. Our hotel is located on the clearing in the forest, and again from our dinner table, we may hear corncrake calling. Hotel Soplicowo, in Bialowieza, will be our home for 3 nights. (B, L, D) Monday, June 2 nd & Tuesday, June 3 rd ~ We will have 2 days for birding in the Bialowieza Forest. This will include a visit to a restricted access reserve and stream valleys in the forest, where we could see nine species of woodpeckers and four species of flycatchers (spotted, pied, collared and red-breasted). We will do some owling (esp. Pygmy) and search for the elusive Hazel grouse and European bison. (B, L, D) Wednesday, June 4 th ~ We will drive most of the day today toward the high rocky Tatra Mountains on the Polish - Slovakian border. Along the way we will stop for potential sightings of Ferruginous duck, Syrian woodpecker, etc. If time allows, we will also visit some ancient wooden churches. Our lunch will be in the small, picturesque town of Kazimierz Dolny. We will over in Zakopane for 3 nights. (B, L, D) Thursday, June 5 th & Friday, June 6 th ~ We will have 2 full days of birding in the Tatra mountains, the highest mountains in the Carpathian Mountains. Here we will look for some higher altitude specialties including Ural owl, Wallcreeper, and Alpine Accentor, but we also have a chance here to fill a few gaps on our bird list: Hazel grouse, nutcracker, three-toed woodpecker, etc. This is bear country, and the only place in Poland to see Chamois or Alpine Marmot. If weather permits, we will opt to take a cable car up the mountain and hike down. (B, L, D) Saturday, June 7 th ~ Transfer to Krakow (Cracovia) an ancient capital of Poland and one of nicest towns (together with Gdansk). Visit to Royal Castle of Wawel, Old Town Market Square, St. Mary's church with XVth century wooden altar, etc. Overnight in Krakow. (B,L,D) Sunday, June 8 th ~ Fly home
About Mass Audubon Guide: Chris Leahy holds the Bertrand Chair of Natural History and Field Ornithology at the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He has been a professional conservationist for more than thirty years and his interests in natural history are comprehensive. He is a recognized authority on birds and insects. His published works include The Birdwatcher s Companion, The First Guide to Insects, Introduction to New England Birds, An Introduction to Massachusetts Insects, and The Nature of Massachusetts. Chris has designed and led natural history explorations to over 60 countries on all of the continents. He is especially fascinated with the world s great remaining wilderness areas and biodiversity hot spots such as Gabon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Madagascar and Bhutan. About the Local Guide: Marek Borkowski was born in Gdansk, grew up in Warsaw, and attended the University of Warsaw and the Catholic University of Lublin. He has been interested in wildlife (and wildlife protection) since he was a child. He now lives, with his family, in Biebrza Marsh. Marek has funded and still owns the first nongovernmental nature reserve in Middle and Eastern Europe: including the famous Great Snipe lek at Biebrza Marsh. He also funded the Biebrza Wildlife Trust (one of the first nongovernmental nature protection organizations in this part of the world). Marek has invented, used, and bred Tarpan horses (the closest relative to the original wild horse) for protection of marshland. This conservation technique is now widely used in European wetlands. Thirty years ago, he started to organize and run wildlife tours to Poland and Eastern Europe. In addition, he has worked on several wildlife films. PRICE : $4400 This cost is based on double occupancy. Single supplement TBD Price Includes: Does Not Include: * All accommodations * Items of a personal nature such as beverages from the bar. * All meals as specified in the itinerary * Porterage, laundry, phone calls, or gift items. * Group airport transfers * We also recommend a gratuity for our local drivers * Transportation within Poland and guides, which are left to your discretion. * Park and preserve entrance fees * International air * Miscellaneous program costs TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS: You the traveler are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. As soon as we get the minimum number of travelers signed on, we will send you flight recommendations. We work with a local travel agent, The Travel Station, in Lincoln to book flights for our leaders. You may book flights on your own or with The Travel Station. The Travel Station can be reached at 781-259-1200. They can also assist you with before or after tour arrangements. As of July 2007, flights from Boston to Warsaw and back were $700 - $800.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL Updated 7/5/2007 APPLICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS: Early applications are strongly encouraged. Trip rosters usually must be finalized 4 months before departure! All applications must be accompanied by a completed reservation form and a $1000 deposit. Deposits can be by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). We reserve the right to decline your application. In the case of questionable health, we reserve the right to require a physician s certification to affirm you are capable of the activities. Final payment is Feb. 15, 2008. Final payment must be by check. RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we will do our best, but cannot guarantee a share (except on certain cruises). If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and fares are accurate at the time of publication July 2007, but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. It is our policy to only pass on the actual amount of any increases in airfares or land costs such as those increases due to the devaluation of the dollar. Rarely, a price increase may be called for if the group falls below the minimum of 10 The maximum number of participants is approximately 14. FLIGHTS: You the traveler are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. We work with a local travel agent, The Travel Station, in Lincoln to book our flights. You may book flights on your own or with The Travel Station. They will have the most up-to-date information on the flight arrival and departure times that we recommend for our travelers (there is a $35 charge for all bookings). Once your deposit and reservation form have been sent to us, we will send you flight and contact information. Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable, therefore you should not book your flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go. The Travel Station can be reached at 781-259-1200. CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediate. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel Office. Cancellations received up to 121 days prior to departure will be refunded deposits less a $300 per person fee. For cancellations between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, all deposits will not be refunded. There are no refunds for cancellations 90 days or less from departure. We strongly urge all travelers to purchase trip cancellation insurance. You will be sent information from the Massachusetts Audubon Society upon receipt of your deposit. Your Responsibility: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively M.A.S. - involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure. CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, a personal information form, and a release of liability form. Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.
Reservation Form for Poland ~ May 24 th June 8 th, 2008 Mr./Mrs./Ms. Passenger Name (1) as shown as passport Mr./Mrs./Ms. Passenger Name (2) as shown as passport Address City State Zip Phone: Day Evening Email address Passport number 1 (for international trips): Expiration date: Passport number 2 (for international trips): Expiration date: Accommodations: I/We are non-smoker(s) smoker(s) (smoking is limited to outdoors in non-group spaces) I request single accommodations where available and will pay the single supplement. I would like to be assigned a roommate. If one is not available, I will pay the single supplement. Deposit: Please find my enclosed check or please charge my credit card for the deposit: VISA MC Card # Exp. Checks should be made payable to Massachusetts Audubon Society Signature