LITHUANIA SPRING WOODPECKERS TOUR

SPRING WOODPECKERS TOUR

DATES: 7 – 13 March 2024
Suitable period: End of April – end of March

This tour is specially prepared for woodpeckers and owls in Lithuania under an optimal time schedule. You will arrive at Riga airport (Latvia) and thus our tour will start from the north part of Lithuania where we will search for some of the rarest species as Three-toed and White-backed woodpeckers at Biržai forest. After it we will drive west to the Curonian lagoon coast and Nemunas Delta Regional Park to explore the Kintai forest and try the White-tailed Eagles hides. The second half of our tour will be spend into the Viešvilė Reserve for more rare breeders. Our tour will end down at Riga, and your departure flight will be from Riga airport. We are hope to see all 7 species, including some of the rarest European and Lithuanian specialties – Three-toed and White-backed Woodpeckers, Pygmy and Ural Owls. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photos in beautiful scenery, but we cannot guarantee as we need very good weather condition.

DAY 1
Arrival at Riga airport and transfer to Biržai town. Next two nights we will accommodate in hotel next to a lake, an excellent location to explore the area next two days.

DAY 2
Today we will explore Biržai Forest at our leisure. Forests will provide Lesser, Middle and Great Spotted, Grey-headed and Black, Three-toed and White-backed woodpeckers, Nutcracker, Pygmy and Ural Owls and Hazel Grouse. We will start with a short session in the morning around the hotel, we walk around the lake for waterfowl and even Eurasian Beaver is resident in the river next to the hotel. After breakfast we will head north-east towards the Biržai forest for all day search for the local specialties. Lunch will be picnic/lunch packs. We head back to the hotel for dinner in late afternoon. After long day you may need to rest, but if weather conditions are very good we might come back later to listen for owls as they are very vocal in calm, clear nights.

DAY 3
After breakfast we head to west. We will have several stops on the way mainly in meadow and forest habitat where we can see several species of woodpeckers as well as Treecreeper, Hawfinch and many more. Overnight just outside of Kintai for the next 3 nights. If weather fits we can try for Tawny and Eagle Owls.

DAYS 4 and 5
Both days we will explore the Nemunas Delta and Curonian lagoon wetlands – Ramsar and IBA sites. We have 4 hides: One drinking station in the orchards and 3 in the fishponds. So those two days we will take the maximum from the area. And visit some of top birding sites.

DAY 6 and 7
Today we have transfer to Latvia. Late in the evening we arrive in our hotel in the capital city of Riga, where we stay the next night. In the morning, if time permits birding around or visit the magnificent old town of Riga - later a transfer to the Airport for your flight back. Departure.