Further along the marshes, we stopped at an observation tower in the village of Brzostowo. From the top, an array of terns was flying in front of us - Black, Whiskered, Little, Common and White winged Black. A Great white Egret was in the reeds at the back, an uncommon bird in this area, clearly extending its usual boundaries. A pair of Black necked Grebes was feeding and a Bittern boomed. As we got back to the coach, a Golden Oriole was calling and some of the group watched the male in a poplar, the usual tree for this lovely bird. It was then off to the hotel after a long day and the amount of food available was very welcome and an early night was taken.

The hotel was beautifully situated, on the banks of a lake with some reedbeds and within mixed woodland, so a group was out pre-breakfast for the local birds. These included Hawfinches, Great Reed Warbler, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Redstart and Serin. Singing warblers included Willow, Wood, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

It was clear that compared to previous years, the water levels were much higher and maybe because of this, the mosquito levels, too, were much higher and a good measure of protection was necessary.

On the way to our first site, we saw Hoopoe in an open field and a couple of Grey Partridge walked across the road.

We stopped at The Honczarowska Dam trail, the noted area for Aquatic Warblers. Along the walk out, we heard Grasshopper Warblers and saw Thrush Nightingales in good view and a Peregrine and a Montagu's Harrier seemed to be having a dispute over the reeds. Corncrake were also heard. We also saw both Common and Lesser Whitethroat along the path and the first of our Common Rosefinches. At the observation platform, we heard Aquatic Warbler singing out in the meadows and we watched distant birds on the grasses, but the distance and the heat-haze meant that confirmed ID was not possible. Marsh Harriers were already becoming a regular sight!

Moving to other wet meadows, we saw many White winged Black Terns with Garganey, Whooper Swans and Red backed Shrikes. Waders included Redshank, Ringed Plover, a very uncommon Moorhen (!) and several Ruff - these were in all stages of breeding plumages from white through ginger to black. A couple of late Whooper Swans were also noted.

We first went to Wolka Piaseczna where a gap in the forest led to a clearing - an area to search for raptors.

Initially we saw Spotted Flycatcher and Red backed Shrike until a fine male Great Grey Shrike flew into a tree across the clearing. Wood Warblers and Golden Orioles again called and together their calls and song almost came to epitomise Poland.

Suddenly a Black Stork wheeled from the trees and settled in the middle of the open field to give us excellent views.

Then the raptors for which we came - Common Buzzard, Spotted Eagles and Lesser Spotted Eagles flew above the tree line with Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk also seen.

We then moved to Goniadz, staying first by an observation tower on the approach to the town and then into the town to stop where we could overlook the Biebrza river valley. It was rather windy but bright. There were countless White winged black Terns, with a number of Black among them.. A Black Redstart appeared on the rubble and then a couple of Common Rosefinches flew to the roadside, not far from the coach.

A quick walk around the hotel when we returned produced Siskin, Serin, Blackcap, Redstart and Wood Warbler. A number of Hawfinches were on the ground giving good views.

We went to the Great Snipe lek in the evening after an early meal. On the path leading to the lek we had Black Woodpecker, Woodlark and Grasshopper Warbler. The mosquitoes were certainly making themselves known!

Unfortunately, when we got to the lek platform, there was already a large group of Dutch birders there and space was at a premium. They had seen a couple of Great Snipe jump a little but the grass was quite high and viewing was difficult and the birds were not being very active for us. While this was disappointing, it was good that the Great Snipe had returned to this site, having deserted it for a couple of years following a ground fire.

Our final day based near Rajgrod and overnight we had a surprise visitor to the lake - a Black throated Diver which gave close views as it paused on its way north.

The weather today unfortunately deteriorated from a bright start (and forecast) and we planned to try again for the Aquatic Warbler at the Honczarowska Dam Trail. By the time we got there, though, it was raining but a determined few made the trek, but without success, although a Great Snipe was put up near the platform and seen by one of our Group. Thrush Nightingales had also been well viewed alongside the trail.

Later the rain subsided, and we scanned the wet meadows to see Black tailed Godwit, Cranes and Garganey, while a Hobby chased and caught dragonflies on the wing. We then moved to a patch of riverside on the Narew River near the village of Pulmy. This is usually a productive site where apart from the birds, we watched as an Otter swam, caught fish and then ate it on a landbank in the river. Black Terns flew along the river, but the regular in this area and one we all appreciated as it dived and fished close to us was the Little Tern.

A Hoopoe was a good sight as it flew across the river bank and Golden Orioles sang from across the river

Before we left for our next hotel in the Bialowieza Forest area, we had our last look round the lake and the woods, this time finding Goosander, the regular Hawfinches, Spotted Flycatcher, the nesting Fieldfares and Goldeneye. In addition, though, Paul was surprised by pieces of falling pine cones - the culprits being Crossbills.

A Spotted Eagle flew over the coach as we headed for Bialystok and the nearby fishponds at Dojlidy. Compared to previous years, however, the ponds had much fewer birds, terns and grebes in particular.

Great Reed Warblers were just as common, though, and several were heard and seen among the reedbeds. A Bittern was booming but it remained out of sight. As we moved round the ponds, we saw a couple of Red necked Grebes in fine summer plumage and a pair of Black necked Grebes also gave close views. While we were looking for the Penduline Tits which are regular on these ponds, Common Rosefinches sang their now familiar song of "pleased to meet you". Our guide then located the Penduline Tit's nest, some 100m from where it usually nested and we watched as it flew to and fro.

We then continued our way, calling at the village of Kozliki, near to where our guide lived where his local knowledge allowed us to watch a pair of Rollers. We then headed for Lake Siemianowka and this too showed much higher water levels than usual and this resulted in few waders being there.

We saw Whiskered and White winged Black terns and a River Warbler reeled by the side of the track. A large number of House Martins were busy building their mud nests on a water management building by the lake. Birders already there put us onto both Lesser Spotted Eagle and White tailed Eagle as they perched on tree tops. An Icterine Warbler sang nearby and a Cuckoo flew past.. As we headed back to the coach we saw another Hobby feeding on the wing but by now the rain had started again.

This lake always has a high birding potential but clearly the water levels this time meant that it was much quieter than usual.

Some group members were awakened at dawn by Wryneck calling and it turned out that it was roosting in a nest box close to the hotel rooms, giving superb views!! Icterine Warblers were seen on a pre-breakfast walk along with River Warbler and Thrush Nightingale.

Today we started at the Bison Trail, a long boardwalk through the forest leading to the "Forest Zoo". This was alive with birdsong when we arrived - Thrush Nightingale, Wood Warbler, Blackcap and the differences in the calls of Pied and Collared Flycatchers were compared and explained by Brian, who had a special talent for birdcall and birdsong identification. A Long tailed Tit betrayed its presence by its call and everyone enjoyed the view of this European white headed subspecies (caudatus).

We resisted (mostly) the "attractions" of the souvenir stalls and then as we headed back to the waiting coach, the distinctive call of the Red breasted Flycatcher was heard and after a little searching it was seen by everyone before it retreated back into the forest - thus completing the flycatcher "set".

After the picnic lunch, we went to the local city park in Bialowieza and the group split up to have a leisurely stroll in the sunshine and enjoy the park. Among the birds were Thrush Nightingale, Common Rosefinch, Icterine Warbler, Marsh Tit, Great Reed Warbler, Hawfinch and Bullfinch. Ravens were virtually a daily occurrence and a pair displayed across the lake in the park. Our only Bullfinches were also seen here. Drinks at the park restaurant were very welcome.

Having seen only the Great Spotted Woodpecker up to now, it was today that we concentrated on finding other members of the woodpecker family. So, just outside the village of Teremiski we went to a stretch of road through the forest which contained many potential decayed tree stumps. At first it remained very quiet although we did see Thrush Nightingale, Collared Flycatcher in a nest-hole, Treecreeper, Cuckoo and Common Rosefinch and a River Warbler was reeling while our first and only "heard" encounter with a Savi's Warbler - but no sign of woodpeckers.

Then through the trees, a Black Woodpecker was spotted and it landed at the top of a tree stump and clearly fed young in the nest-hole. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were checked closely and then a Middle Spotted was also seen and this too went into a nest-hole. Then another 'pecker flew in and landed and this time it was a White-backed. This area of road certainly lived up to its reputation for woodpeckers and was christened "woodpecker alley".

We then explored another track where we had our picnic lunch and on the way through, Paul fleetingly spotted a Hazel Hen as it crossed the track in front of us, although it disappeared before the rest of us could get a look.

Before returning to the hotel, we had a second look at "woodpecker alley" and while there were no new species seen, we had further views of those previously noted.

Pre-breakfast walks around the hotel by group members produced some good birds, namely Golden Oriole, Wryneck, Icterine Warbler, Red backed Shrike, Thrush Nightingale, Hawfinch, Great Reed Warbler, Montagu's Harrier and Common Rosefinch.

After an earlier breakfast we went into the Restricted Reserve part of the vast Bialowieza Forest- an area which only has limited access with designated guides and which is preserved from all management by man. It was cathedral-like walking under the trees and the guide was very informative about the history of the forest and identified the various trees in it. Collared Flycatchers seemed to be everywhere, but there were also Treecreepers and a White backed Woodpecker with its nest-hole. A Middle spotted was also seen and a brief view of another Black Woodpecker. A Red breasted Flycatcher also revealed itself by its song. Then something special! A movement in the grass was seen which turned out to be a Hazel Hen, although it remained only partially in view. But then it hopped onto a log and stood there for several seconds while we all watched it. A very difficult bird to see, yet here it was in the open for us all. The guide advised that it was only the second time he had seen this bird in the Reserve in the last six years.

The weather was quite good today, so we decided that we would go back to Lake Siemianowka to see if we could find the Citrine Wagtails, seen by others previously. We saw Spotted and Lesser spotted Eagles and Marsh Harriers, together with Black and White winged black Terns. A pair of Golden Orioles were also seen flying. No Citrine Wagtails in this area, though, so we moved top the other end of the lake.

Here was what looked like a small pumping station and we parked up. We checked around and found Whinchats and Yellow Wagtails but no obvious Citrines. Then three of us watched a wagtail, initially found by Paul and checked through the plumage details. It could have been, at first glance, a female Yellow Wagtail, but there were differences - firstly the cheeks were clearly yellow and surrounded darker ear coverts. Secondly, there were very distinct 2 wing bars and thirdly, the under tail coverts and vent were a clear white. These three features confirmed the bird to be a female Citrine Wagtail.

We had received information about a Three-toed Woodpecker nest within walking distance of the hotel and when we got back, a number of us went to find it. We found the nest but the birds remained out of sight. However, after the meal, some members returned and got excellent views of both birds while on returning they also saw Wryneck and a Nightjar which was sitting in the road! After an earlier breakfast we went into the Restricted Reserve part of the vast Bialowieza Forest- an area which only has limited access with designated guides and which is preserved from all management by man. It was cathedral-like walking under the trees and the guide was very informative about the history of the forest and identified the various trees in it. Collared Flycatchers seemed to be everywhere, but there were also Treecreepers and a White backed Woodpecker with its nest-hole. A Middle spotted was also seen and a brief view of another Black Woodpecker. A Red breasted Flycatcher also revealed itself by its song. Then something special! A movement in the grass was seen which turned out to be a Hazel Hen, although it remained only partially in view. But then it hopped onto a log and stood there for several seconds while we all watched it. A very difficult bird to see, yet here it was in the open for us all. The guide advised that it was only the second time he had seen this bird in the Reserve in the last six years.

The weather was quite good today, so we decided that we would go back to Lake Siemianowka to see if we could find the Citrine Wagtails, seen by others previously. We saw Spotted and Lesser spotted Eagles and Marsh Harriers, together with Black and White winged black Terns. A pair of Golden Orioles were also seen flying. No Citrine Wagtails in this area, though, so we moved top the other end of the lake.

Here was what looked like a small pumping station and we parked up. We checked around and found Whinchats and Yellow Wagtails but no obvious Citrines. Then three of us watched a wagtail, initially found by Paul and checked through the plumage details. It could have been, at first glance, a female Yellow Wagtail, but there were differences - firstly the cheeks were clearly yellow and surrounded darker ear coverts. Secondly, there were very distinct 2 wing bars and thirdly, the under tail coverts and vent were a clear white. These three features confirmed the bird to be a female Citrine Wagtail.

We had received information about a Three-toed Woodpecker nest within walking distance of the hotel and when we got back, a number of us went to find it. We found the nest but the birds remained out of sight. However, after the meal, some members returned and got excellent views of both birds while on returning they also saw Wryneck and a Nightjar which was sitting in the road!

The final hotel vicinity walks produced a pair of Montagu's Harriers and the uncommon Grey headed Woodpecker. Also recorded were the Three toed Woodpecker, Common Rosefinches and Stonechats, which are quite unusual in this area. Another Great white Egret was also seen

On leaving the hotel for the journey to the airport, we decided to look for another Grey headed Woodpecker for those of the group who had not seen the earlier one. We stopped a short distance from the hotel, to find a Frenchman who spotted a Barred Warbler and we didn't take long to find it in the shrubbery. At first it remained within cover but it flew from tree to tree and we watched it as it climbed to the top of a bush to give us all excellent views. However, the Grey headed Woodpecker could not be found. A walk in the area did produce a River Warbler and just before we got back on the coach, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew in, becoming our seventh woodpecker (or eighth if the Wryneck is included).

It was clear that water levels in 2005 had been much higher than previous years and this had obviously affected the habitat and waders, in particular, had been much less in evidence. Whether this also affected the bird numbers at Dojlidy fishponds is questionable as water levels here were managed by pumping operations, but here too, bird numbers were low.

Weather conditions were overall good for us as most of the few rain showers occurred either overnight or whilst we were travelling.

The total number of species recorded by the group came to 150, a slightly above previous years. The highlights varied among the group members, but would certainly include the Hazel Hen, Penduline Tit, the eagles and both Red necked and Black necked Grebes. It was also the year that the most species of woodpecker had been seen and the hotel-roosting Wryneck was a real treat, although its 4 o'clock morning wake-up call was not always appreciated!!

What was appreciated by everyone was the wonderful habitat available in Poland - the extensive wet meadows and the huge forests and their trails. The type of agricultural methods still in use made for a varied and very productive habitat for many birds and the almost continuous birdsong of Thrush Nightingales, Blackcaps, Golden Orioles, River Warblers, Yellowhammers and Skylarks really showed how much birdsong has deteriorated in our own countryside.

• Orange Tip
• Holly Block
• Peacock
• Green-veined White
• Map
• Large Toitoiseshell
• Brimstone
• Camberwell Beauty

• Elk
• Brown Hare
• Roe Deer
• Otter
• Red Squirrel
• Fox
• Wild Boar
• Bank Vole
• Brown Frog
• Tree Frog
• Common Toad
• Slow Worm
• Grass Snake
• Beaver Lodge