This report is a compilation of observations during three trips to eastern Europe in 2005; twelve days in Slovakia and southern Poland in June, three days in western Poland in early July and four days in Belarus in early August. As they sit nicely together, a single report has been produced but with locations clearly specified. Further details can be gained by contacting Graham White on gjwhite@arsenalfc.net.
ITINERARY
13th-20th June: Flying by Easyjet to Bratislava on the 13th, we stayed with friends at Trencin for a few days, before touring around Slovakia, principally The Danube near the Austrian border, the High Tatras and the Slovensky Kras near the Hungarian border, before returning to Trencin. Accommodation is easily available and cheap (£5-£10 per night) and can be searched for on the internet. We tried to find a local guide, but all but one e-mail contact failed to respond.
21st-23rd June: Travelled by train into southern Poland, staying in Krakow, before flying home on the 23rd.
1st-3rd July: Flew to Berlin and then on by car (2 hours) to Warty National Park, Poland, staying at the park headquarters near Kostrzyn. Other self-contained accommodation is available at a park visitor centre near Slonsk. Website: www.pnujsciewarty.gov.pl. E-mail: sekretariat@pnujsiewarty.gov.pl. Good information and maps are available at the HQ.
4th-9th August: Flew by Easyjet to Warsaw, then overnight sleeper train to Minsk (with the whole train being winched 2 metres into the air for 2 hours to change the wheels for the Belarussian gauge rails). A minibus and driver were hired for the 5-day trip down to the Pripyat Marshes. A visa was required for Belarus. We stayed in a state hotel at Verasnica and visited the ringing station in Turov. It was generally fairly cheap except for car hire: overnight train return £40, minibus and driver for 4 day £500, hotel £25.00 for 2 nights.
LOCATIONS
A) Slovakia
Trencin. A town in a lowland area backed by hills 100km to the north of Bratislava. Extensive farmland around the town but excellent beech woodland and flower-rich meadows in the hills past the nearby village of Soblahov.
Zahorie. Floodplain of the River Morava, with habitats of woodland, marsh and meadow, adjacent to the Austrian border in the SW of Slovakia (as described in Where to watch birds in Eastern Europe). An area of fishponds south of Jakubov was rather intensively managed but supported some good birds. Areas to the south of here were progressively better (explore tracks towards the river), with the best areas to be found by walking south along the river from the village of Vysoka pri Marave. Highlights here were storks, River and Marsh Warblers, Collared Flycatcher, Wryneck, Short-toed Treecreeper and Middle-spotted Woodpecker. Non-avian highlights included many Lesser Purple Emperor butterflies, large numbers of Marsh Frogs, Roe Deer and Marsh Orchids.
High Tatras. We stayed at the Hotel Mier (£9 per night), located 3km up into the forest near Pribylina. A rather bleak looking construction but comfortable and well located. Well-marked trails lead into the forest. Further to the east, the forests around Stary Smokovec had been devastated by severe wind-throw with kilometre after kilometre of flattened woodland, which will take years to recover. The high mountains were accessed via the chair lift at Strbske Pleso. The lift takes you to the top of the tree line, and a scramble upwards from here takes you into Alpine Accentor and Water Pipit territory. Highlights include Nutcrackers, Hazel Grouse, Alpine Accentor, Three-toed Woodpecker, Tengmalm’s and Pygmy Owls, Golden and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Non-avian highlights include Red Squirrel and alpine flora including the local Pasque-flower.
Slovensky Kras. We stayed at the Ranc Sugov in the Sugovsky Dolina, a valley near Medvez. This was a new, excellent hotel located in a valley of superb beech woodland. We also visited the castle at Turna nad Bodvou for excellent views of Imperial Eagle and explored the valleys either side of the castle. There are roads along two valleys/gorges (Zadielska Dolina) on either side of the castle leading up into the Kras. Both have extensive beech woodland and scrub, excellent for butterflies. Coloured trails lead up onto the limestone plateau to the botanically richest meadows you can imagine, covered in butterflies – fantastic! Also good woodland and scrub habitats. The fishponds at Turna nad Huhvou looked good but were heavily disturbed.
Bird highlights include Imperial Eagle, Rock Bunting, White-backed and Grey-headed Woodpeckers. Non-avian highlights include European Souslik, nine species of orchid and 18 butterflies.
Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Orange Tip, Glanville Fritillary, Silver-washed Fritillary, Green Hairstreak, Purple-edged Copper, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Small Heath, White Admiral, Hungarian Glider, Large White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Grizzled Skipper and Woodland Ringlet.
Orchids: Fragrant, Frog, Bird’s-nest, Twayblade, Greater Butterfly, White Helleborine, Dark Red Helleborine and Red Helleborine.
B) Poland
Krakow. Two days looking around the city, birding restricted to city centre parks.
Warty Mouth National Park. An extensive area of floodplain habitats near the German- Polish border. The park HQ is located 1km outside Kostrzyn on the road to Slonsk, a trail leads from here. The best birding areas are reached by taking the roads/paths north from Slonsk/Przyborow towards the river and walking along the trails.
Originally forested, the area was converted to meadow and pasture and heavily grazed. As a National Park, the grazing was relaxed and scrub carr is developing in many areas. However, grazing is currently being increased to maintain the diversity of breeding birds. The grasslands are dominated by reed, reed sweet-grass, sedge, reed canary-grass or meadow foxtail, depending on location within the floodplain water regime.
The wide range of breeding birds (170 species) fluctuates in abundance annually in relation to the water levels. Annual water level fluctuations can reach 4 metres! In the wettest years when flood waters persist, the flooded meadows in spring support many breeding Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes, nine species of duck, Black, White-winged Black and Whiskered Terns. In more normal years, as the waters recede exposed meadow islands attract breeding waders (Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe, Ruff, Godwit, Curlew), and crakes (Spotted and Little) are numerous. Even in the dry years, pools and channels retain breeding birds. Autumn brings waders, Cranes and huge numbers of geese. Winter is dominated by wildfowl and White-tailed Eagles.
Bird highlights were White-tailed Eagles, cranes, storks, Rosefinch and the range of wetland warblers. Non-avian highlights were Beavers (50 families present here), Edible Frogs Rana esculenta and dragonflies (including Downy and Brilliant Emeralds).
C) Belarus
Beloe fish ponds. Beloe fishponds are located in Gomel District in the south of Belarus. The fishponds extend to 1,649 ha and form a complex of large and small ponds surrounded by floodplain oak forest. The ponds are used for commercial aquaculture, mainly carp. The individual ponds may be for on-growing (3-8 ha) or fattening (c50 ha), all have varying amounts of reed and reedmace around the margins. Most are drained each autumn to recover the fish, providing habitat for herons and waders. Beloe has breeding duck, including Smew, Pochard (600 prs) and Ferruginous Duck (20 prs), Black Stork and Bittern (35 boomers). Black Grouse can lek here in the cut reedbeds!
Mid-Pripyat Floodplain. The mid-Pripyat IBA is about 120 km long by 4-14 km wide. It comprises floodplain oak and alder forests, fen mires, scrub and grasslands. The Pripyat has a large scale spring flood lasting 1.5-4 months with an average water rise of 4 metres. As floodwaters subside, breeding and passage waders flock to the exposed grassland islands. At lowest levels, botanically rich ox-bow lakes are left amongst hay meadow, grassland and scrub. The Pripyat hosts constant and large populations of Aquatic Warbler (400), Garganey (10,000), Black-tailed Godwit (1,000), Black Stork (70), Spotted Eagle (20), Corncrake (2,000), Great Snipe (1,000), Bittern (100), Eagle Owl (20), Azure Tit (100) and White-winged Black Tern (7,000). Winter sees large numbers of geese and duck.
Sites visited:
1. Turov meadows, Gomel District. Open floodplain grassland and a key wader passage and breeding site. Also many marsh terns. Turov ringing group operate here.
2. Verasnica, Gomel District. Floodplain marsh, grassland, scrub, ox-bow lakes and reedbeds to the west of the village. Good mixed area with lots of birds including Azure Tit.
3. Dubaj (Dubow), Brest District. Walked north from the village into wet alder woodland along a central causeway. Excellent area for Spotted Eagle (4-6 prs here), Black Stork, River Warbler etc, also Azure Tit. Beaver present.
4. Goring, Brest District (reedbed created between the two floodbanks)
5. Chyrvonoye, Gomel District (raised mire and Lake Chyrvonoye). The raised mire had been extensively damaged in the past but was now being restored, with extensive reedbed developing. Black Grouse here. The large lake has 200 booming Bitterns in a fringe of reed 400m wide and 7km long. Also good here for other reedbed specialities including Savi’s Warbler, Bearded Tit and Great White Egret.
6. Mikashevice, Brest District (wet oak woodland). Woodland with some old trees and lots of open wet areas, scrub and dead wood. A good area for White-backed Woodpecker. We only spent an hour here.
Butterflies: Large Copper, Clouded Yellow, Lesser Purple Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary
Amphibians: ‘Green’ Frog, Tree Frog, Common Frog, Moor Frog, Fire-bellied Toad, Common Toad, Spade-foot Toad, Green Toad, Smooth Newt.
Dragonflies: Ruddy, Vagrant and Yellow-winged Darters, Brown Hawker, Red-eyed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Emerald Damselfly, Willow Emerald Damselfly.
SYSTEMATIC LIST OF BIRDS
1. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Poland: a single at Warty NP.
2. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Slovakia: a pair with young at fishponds south of Jakubov, Zahorie. Twenty or more at the Turna nad Huhvou fishponds, including three pairs with young.
Poland: 3-4 broods seen on the rivers and dykes at Warty NP.
Belarus: Common, with many broods, at Beloe fishponds.
3. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Poland: two broods seen at Warty NP. A common breeding bird in wet years.
Belarus: a single immature bird at Beloe fishponds.
4. Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena
Poland: a single at Warty NP. A common breeding bird in wet years.
5. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo.
Slovakia: two on the river at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
Poland: 500+ breeding pairs at Warty NP.
Belarus: a few at Beloe fishponds.
6. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Slovakia: frequent at Zahorie.
Poland: 100+ at Warty NP.
Belarus: common throughout, up to 30 seen daily.
7. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Belarus: a single juvenile near Turov, seemingly way out of range and a ‘first’ for our local guide.
8. Great White Egret Egretta alba
Poland: a single at Warty NP, a few pairs breed.
Belarus: frequent at Beloe fishponds and throughout the Pripyat, up to 8 daily.
9. White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Slovakia: scattered through the lowlands, numerous at Zahorie, several village nests around the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: frequent at Warty NP, breeding in the surrounding villages, a few near Warsaw.
Belarus: common everywhere. A recent survey revealed 18,000 breeding pairs in Belarus.
10. Black Stork Ciconia nigra
Slovakia: five at Zahorie and one in the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: 15+ at Warty NP, a post-breeding gathering of c100 birds occurs here.
Belarus: a few around Turov and 2 at woodland near Dubaj.
11. Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Slovakia: two at fishponds south of Jakubov, Zahorie.
Poland: 60+ at Warty NP.
12. Whooper Swan Cygnus Cygnus
Poland: a single at Warty NP. Winters in large numbers (3000+) with a few summering.
13. Greylag Goose Anser anser
Poland: 150+ at Warty NP. A common bird (300 breeding pairs), joined by 200,000 Bean and White-fronted in the autumn.
14. Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Poland: several broods at Warty NP.
15. Wigeon Anas penelope
Poland: a single at Warty NP.
16. Gadwall Anas strepera
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: two at Beloe fishponds.
17. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Slovakia: a few in most river valleys or fishponds.
Poland: ditto. Common at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent in low numbers.
18. Teal Anas crecca
Poland: 40+ at Warty NP.
Belarus: low numbers in the Pripyat floodplain.
19. Garganey Anas querquedula
Belarus: up to 50 daily in the floodplain.
20. Shoveler Anas clypeata
Poland: 10+ at Warty NP.
Belarus: up to ten daily in the floodplain.
21. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Slovakia: a single drake on fishponds south of Zilina.
Poland: a single pair at Warty NP. A common breeding bird in wet years.
Belarus: 8 at Beloe fishponds.
22. Pochard Aythya farina
Slovakia: a duck with young at fishponds south of Jakubov, Zahorie.
Belarus: 5 at Beloe fishponds.
23. Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Belarus: four at Beloe fishponds.
24. Smew Mergus albellus
Belarus: two redheads at Beloe fishponds, the only breeding site in Belarus (around 20 pairs).
25. Black Kite Milvus migrans
Slovakia: two at Zahorie.
Belarus: a single at oak forest.
26. Red Kite Milvus milvus
Poland: 5 sightings of singles at Warty NP.
27. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
Poland: 4-5 at Warty NP. A single pair breed but up to 50 spend the winter here, feeding on Coot and other waterfowl.
Belarus: a single adult at Beloe fishponds.
28. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetus
Slovakia: one near Pribylina, High Tatras.
29. Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina
Slovakia: one seen regularly over woods from the Hotel Mier, High Tatras and one in the Slovensky Kras.
Belarus: a single adult seen over the floodplain.
30. Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
Belarus: two over the alder woodland near Dubaj, a floodplain forest and fen specialist.
31. Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
Slovakia: up to 4 birds in the vicinity of Turna nad Bodvou. Extremely good views obtained from the minor road to the village of Hacava, stopping below the castle and watching the eagles hunt Sousliks at close range.
32. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Slovakia: a male at fishponds in Zahorie and a pair at Turna nad Huhvou fishponds, Slovensky Kras.
Poland: 4+ at Warty NP, a few pairs breed.
Belarus: frequent, up to 20 daily, most at Lake Chyrvonoye.
33. Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus
Belarus: frequent, up to 5 daily.
34. Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Slovakia: singles over Trencin and the hotel in the High Tatras.
Poland: singles near Warty NP and near Warsaw.
35. Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
Poland: a single juvenile at Warty NP, causing mayhem flying low across the floodplain meadows.
Belarus: a single immature female at Lake Chyrvonoye.
36. Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus
Slovakia: a single over Trencin and 1-2 daily in the Slovensky Kras.
Belarus: four at alderwoods near Dubaj, one performing wingclap display.
37. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
Slovakia: common everywhere, especially the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: common.
Belarus: frequent, up to 3 daily.
38. Peregine Falco peregrinus
Slovakia: one in the High Tatras.
39. Saker Falco cherrug
Slovakia: one near Turna nad Bodvou.
40. Hobby Falco subbuteo
Slovakia: two near Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
41. Kestel Falco tinnunculus
Slovakia: frequent throughout the lowlands and around towns.
Poland: frequent in and around Krakow and Warty NP.
Belarus: two at the Garyn/Pripyat confluence.
42. Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia
Slovakia: one disturbed in woods near the Hotel Mier, High Tatras.
43. Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix
Belarus: two greyhens at the fen near Lake Chyrvonoye. A frequent bird in the floodplain in fen habitat.
44. Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Poland: a single at Warty NP.
45. Corncrake Crex crex
Poland: a common breeding bird at Warty NP.
Belarus: a couple of birds flushed at Turov.
46. Quail Coturnix coturnix
Slovakia: 2-3 heard calling daily in the Slovensky Kras.
Belarus: a single calling near oak woodland.
47. Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Belarus: one or two heard daily.
48. Spotted Crake Porzana porzana
Belarus: a glimpsed bird at Turov was probably this species. Both Spotted and Little Crakes Porzana parva are frequent throughout the Pripyat floodplain and at Warty NP, Poland.
49. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Slovakia: a few at fishponds south of Jakubov, Zahorie.
50. Coot Fulica atra
Slovakia: a few at fishponds south of Jakubov, Zahorie.
Poland: common at Warty NP, the staple food of White-tailed Eagles!
Belarus: over 1,800 at Beloe fishponds.
51. Crane Grus grus
Poland: 15+ at Warty NP. Breeds in wet woodland and reedbeds.
Belarus: two calling but not seen within the alderwood near Dubaj and 2 on farmland near Lake Chyrvonoye..
52. Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: eight at Turov.
53. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Slovakia: two at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: a single at Turov.
54. Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Belarus: common and breeding (100 pairs) at Turov.
55. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Poland: a steady passage SW over Warty NP and 100+ on the ground.
Belarus: common and breeding (150 pairs) at Turov.
56. Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Poland: 40+ at Warty NP.
Belarus: a common migrant at Turov. Thousands pass through in the spring, males lingering to feed while females pass through quickly. Up to 25 pairs breed at Turov.
57. Dunlin Calidris alpina
Belarus: a single at Turov.
58. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii
Belarus: up to 6 daily at Turov.
59. Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Poland: a few at Warty NP, several drumming birds observed.
Belarus: 150+ flushed from pools at Turov. A few pairs breed at Turov.
60. Great Snipe Gallinago media
Belarus: two seen well at Turov. A few pairs breed locally.
61. Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Slovakia: 1 or 2 roding each evening in the High Tatras.
62. Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Poland: 10+ at Warty NP, with occasional birds passing over.
Belarus: up to 40 at Turov, birds constantly passing over.
63. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnalis
Belarus: up to 2 at Turov daily, a few pairs breed.
64. Redshank Tringa tetanus
Belarus: common and breeding (200 pairs) at Turov.
65. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Belarus: a single at Turov.
66. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Poland: a few at Warty NP. Breeds.
Belarus: Up to 20 daily at Turov. Breeding (25 pairs) at Turov.
67. Curlew Numenius arquata
Poland: a single heard overflying at night at Warty NP.
Belarus: seven over at Turov.
68. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Poland: frequent at Warty NP, steady movement of birds (singles) passing over SW.
Belarus: up to 25 daily at Turov, many passing over.
69. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Poland: a few at Warty NP, several heard passing over at night.
Belarus: 1 or 2 daily.
70. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: a single at Turov.
71. Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Belarus: a single at Turov.
72. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinerus
Belarus: 25-40 pairs breed at Turov.
73. Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans
Poland: a single 1st year bird on the river in Krakow. Three adults at Warty NP.
Belarus: at least one adult seen at Turov. Small numbers of birds seen only in flight at distance were probably of this species.
74. Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Belarus: a single first winter bird at Beloe fishponds.
75. Common Gull Larus canus
Poland: a few at Warty NP. Breeds.
Belarus: a single at Turov.
76. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Slovakia: low numbers throughout the lowlands along river valleys.
Poland: a few along the river in Krakow. Abundant at Warty NP.
Belarus: 100+ at Beloe fishponds, smaller numbers in the Pripyat floodplain.
77. Little Gull Larus minutus
Belarus: a single first winter bird at Turov.
78. Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Belarus: a single first winter bird at Turov.
79. Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Slovakia: a few pairs along the river at Trencin and the fishponds and rivers at Zahorie.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: common at Beloe fishponds and Turov.
80. Little Tern Sterna albifrons
Poland: a few at Warty NP. Breeds.
Belarus: common at Turov. Breeds.
81. Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Slovakia: several birds over fishponds south of Zilina.
Poland: 100+ at Warty NP, along with Whiskered and White-winged Black, breeds in irregular numbers each year in relation to water levels.
Belarus: frequent throughout.
82. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Belarus: numerous throughout the floodplain, often following tractors or feeding over fields. A roost of 5,000 marsh terns at Turov was mainly of this species.
83. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: numerous throughout the floodplain, up to 100 seen daily.
84. Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus
Slovakia: frequent throughout.
Poland: common.
Belarus: frequent throughout in low numbers.
85. Stock Dove Columba oenas
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
86. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
Slovakia: frequent in the lowlands, common in the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: frequent in southern Poland.
Belarus: one or two daily, flying over.
87. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Slovakia: frequent in the lowlands.
Poland: frequent.
Belarus: occasional pairs noted.
88. Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Slovakia: generally common throughout in small numbers.
Poland: common at Warty NP.
Belarus: one-three daily.
89. Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Slovakia: heard calling at dusk in the High Tatras.
90. Eagle Owl Bubo bubo
Belarus: a regurgitated pellet found by an eaten Bittern. Eagle Owl is apparently common in the Pripyat floodplain, nesting in woodlands and feeding over the wetlands.
91. Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus
Slovakia: one calling at dusk below the Hotel Mier, Pribylina, High Tatras.
92. Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum
Slovakia: one seen in a forest clearing near the Hotel Mier, Pribylina, High Tatras.
93. Swift Apus apus
Slovakia: common everywhere.
Poland: common. Hundreds screaming around the buildings in Krakow, a real feature of the city.
Belarus: frequent throughout in low numbers.
94. Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Poland: a single at Warty NP.
Belarus: a single bird near Turov.
95. Hoopoe Upupa epops
Belarus: up to 3 daily.
96. Green Woodpecker Picus viridis
Slovakia: one in the Sugovsky Dolina, Slovensky Kras.
97. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
Slovakia: one in the Sugovsky Dolina, Slovensky Kras.
98. Black Woodpecker Dryocopos martius
Slovakia: one near Strbske Pleso, High Tatras.
99. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
Slovakia: frequent throughout, most common in the upland conifer forests of the High Tatras.
Poland: breeding in Krakow city centre, a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent in floodplain woodlands, several seen daily.
100. Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius
Slovakia: several in floodplain woodland at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
101. Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus
Slovakia: one regularly in Trencin feeding on cherries in gardens.
102. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor
Belarus: a single in the Turov ringing station garden, at least 4 in the alder woodland and at least 5 in the oak forest, including a pair at a nest hole.
103. White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos
Slovakia: two in the Sugovsky Dolina, Slovensky Kras.
Belarus: not seen but apparently numerous in the floodplain oak woodland.
104. Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus
Slovakia: 1 seen near Strbske Pleso, High Tatras.
105. Wryneck Jynx torquilla
Slovakia: a single near Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
Belarus: a single bird at the Garyn/Pripyat confluence.
106. Skylark Alauda arvensis
Slovakia: common in lowland farmland areas.
Poland: common at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent on floodplain grasslands around Turov.
107. Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Slovakia: two in farmland near Zahorie.
108. Woodlark Lullula arborea
Slovakia: one on the Slovensky Kras plateau.
109. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Slovakia: common everywhere.
Poland: common.
Belarus: common.
110. Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Slovakia: a single at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
Belarus: small numbers noted.
111. House Martin Delichon urbica
Slovakia: common everywhere; a colony of 20+ nests on the Hotel Mier.
Poland: common at Warty NP.
Belarus: common.
112. Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
Slovakia: 10+ on the tops of the High Tatras, feeding around remnant snow patches.
113. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Slovakia: common in open woodland in the High Tatras and on the Slovensky Kras plateau.
Belarus: a single bird over calling near Turov.
114. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Poland: frequent at Warty NP.
115. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Slovakia: frequent in the High Tatras and along the streams of the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: a single at Warty NP.
116. White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Slovakia: common everywhere.
Poland: common at Warty NP.
Belarus: very common.
117. Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava
Slovakia: three at fishponds south of Jakubov, Zahorie.
Poland: very common on the wet grasslands at Warty NP.
Belarus: common, up to 50 daily, a couple of birds seen appeared to be intergrades between flava and thunbergi.
118. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Slovakia: frequent in the forests of the High Tatras.
Belarus: two in the alder forest near Dubaj.
119. Dunnock Prunella modularis
Slovakia: common in the forests of the High Tatras, and even up beyond the tree line.
120. Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris
Slovakia: 4+ on the tops of the High Tatras.
121. Robin Erithacus rubecula
Slovakia: a few noted in the woods above Trencin, common in woodlands in the High Tatras.
Belarus: a few in the alder forest near Dubaj.
122. Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Slovakia: one near Trencin, several at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie and one in the Slovensky Kras.
123. Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia
Poland: a single still singing at Warty NP, a common bird here.
Belarus: at least 4 in the alder forest near Dubaj, a couple near Turov and a single at Lake Chyrvonoye; undoubtedly a common breeding bird.
124. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
Belarus: at least 10 seen in the alder forest near Dubaj, including several juveniles, occasional birds elsewhere. White-throated form.
125. Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Slovakia: two at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie and several pairs around the Slovensky Kras.
126. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
Belarus: several around Turov.
127. Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Slovakia: a single in woods above Trencin.
Belarus: a single male at Turov.
128. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Slovakia: a very common bird everywhere, from town gardens to the High Tatras.
Poland: several singing from the rooftops in Krakow, a few in villages around Warty NP, a single at Warsaw railway station
Belarus: low numbers around villages.
129. Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Slovakia: two in Trencin.
Poland: a frequent breeding bird in Krakow, with several fledged broods seen in the city centre, common at Warty NP.
Belarus: two in the alder forest near Dubaj.
130. Blackbird Turdus merula
Slovakia: common everywhere.
Poland: common.
Belarus: a few in the alder forest near Dubaj.
131. Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus
Slovakia: a few seen in the coniferous forests of the High Tatras, occasionally feeding on the hotel lawn; strange to see it as a forest bird.
132. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Slovakia: common in woodlands throughout.
Belarus: a single in the alder forest near Dubaj.
133. Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
Slovakia: frequent throughout in small numbers.
134. River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis
Slovakia: one at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: at least 10 seen well in the alder forest near Dubaj, occasional birds heard elsewhere.
135. Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
Poland: two at Warty NP.
136. Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides
Poland: frequent at Warty NP.
137. Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Poland: common at Warty NP.
Belarus: common in the floodplain marshland.
138. Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola
Poland: two singing males present at Warty NP in 2005 (north of the river), previously more common and conservation measures now being implemented to try and increase numbers.
Belarus: the peaty fen mires of southern Belarus are the stronghold of Aquatic Warbler. We chose not to visit these areas due to lack of time.
139. Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris
Slovakia: at least two singing at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
Poland: common at Warty NP.
Belarus: probably common, a few positively identified.
140. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scipaceus
Slovakia: frequent in Zahorie.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent.
141. Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Slovakia: at least a dozen singing males at fishponds south of Jakubov, Zahorie.
Poland: frequent at Warty NP.
Belarus: noted at Beloe fishponds and at the Garyn/Pripyat confluence.
142. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Slovakia: very common in all woodland.
Poland: common in Krakow city parks, common at Warty NP.
143. Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
Slovakia: a single singing bird near the Hotel Mier, High Tatras.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: a single near Turov.
144. Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Slovakia: several at Zahorie.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: a few near Turov.
145. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
Slovakia: a single at Trencin, common in Zahorie.
Poland: one singing in Krakow cemetery.
Belarus: frequent throughout.
146. Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria
Belarus: a single near Turov.
147. Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
Slovakia: Frequent in woodlands at Trencin and Zahorie, also in wooded gardens in Trencin.
Poland: one singing in Krakow cemetery.
Belarus: frequent in the scrub woodland near Turov.
148. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Slovakia: a common woodland bird throughout.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: a few in the scrub woodland near Turov.
149. Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Slovakia: up to 3 singing daily in the Slovensky Kras beechwoods.
Belarus: frequent in the scrub woodland near Turov.
150. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Slovakia: common in the forests of the High Tatras.
Poland: frequent at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent throughout.
151. Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Slovakia: frequent in the forests of the High Tatras.
152. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus
Slovakia: a few in woods around the Hotel Mier, High Tatras.
153. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Slovakia: frequent throughout, common in the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: breeding in Krakow.
Belarus: a few noted.
154. Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
Slovakia: one in the Sugovsky Dolina, Slovensky Kras.
155. Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis
Slovakia: a male at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
156. Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Belarus: up to 8 seen daily.
157. Marsh Tit Parus palustris
Slovakia: frequent in the beech woods of the Slovensky Kras.
158. Willow Tit Parus montanus
Poland: a single bird at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent in the alder and oak woodlands.
159. Crested Tit Parus cristatus
Slovakia: a few in woods around the Hotel Mier, High Tatras.
160. Coal Tit Parus ater
Slovakia: common in the forests of the High Tatras.
161. Azure Tit Parus cyanus
Belarus: two adults with two juveniles feeding in reedmarsh near Verasnica and two adults in wet scrub in the alder woodland near Dubaj. Distinctive call. Apparently around 100 pairs breed in the floodplain woodlands in the mid Pripyat.
162. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
Slovakia: frequent throughout.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent.
163. Great Tit Parus major
Slovakia: frequent throughout.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent.
164. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Poland: a few near Warty NP.
165. Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus
Poland: two seen at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequently heard and up to 6 seen in the floodplain marshlands.
166. Nuthatch Sitta europaea
Slovakia: singles at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie and in the Sugovsky Dolina, Slovensky Kras.
Poland: a single in Krakow cemetery.
Belarus: frequent in the oak woodland.
167. Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Slovakia: a few noted in woodlands in the High Tatras.
Poland: a single at Warty NP.
Belarus: a single in the oak woodland.
168. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla
Slovakia: two at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
169. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Slovakia: frequent around Trencin, many at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie, abundant in the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: a common bird in all habitats.
170. Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
Slovakia: a single bird whilst travelling through the Slovensky Raj.
Belarus: up to 3 daily.
171. Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes
Slovakia: up to 6 seen daily in the High Tatras.
172. Jay Garrulus glandarius
Slovakia: a few around Trencin and one in the Slovensky Kras.
Belarus: two in the alder woodland near Dubaj.
173. Magpie Pica pica
Slovakia: common everywhere.
Poland: common.
Belarus: frequent.
174. Hooded Crow Corvus cornix
Slovakia: frequent throughout.
Poland: frequent in the south. Very common at Warty NP, causing a predation problem.
Belarus: frequent throughout.
175. Rook Corvus frugilegus
Slovakia: common in lowland farmland.
Belarus: flocks of several hundred birds seen in farmland.
176. Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Slovakia: common in lowland farmland.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: common, especially in towns. Eastern race.
177. Raven Corvus corax
Slovakia: frequent in the High Tatras, 10+ in the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: a single bird at Warty NP.
Belarus: a few seen daily in the floodplain.
178. Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Slovakia: common everywhere, some large flocks (100+) of mainly juveniles in lowland farmland.
Poland: common at Warty NP, flocks of 100s seen daily.
Belarus: common, some large flocks.
179. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
Slovakia: two males in the beech woods above Trencin, two at Vysoka pri Marave, Zahorie.
Poland: an occupied nest found in Krakow cemetery, pair seen well, common at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent in the scrub woodland near Turov.
180. Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Slovakia: frequent around Trencin, even in gardens, very common in the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: very common at Warty NP, nesting in houses.
Belarus: small numbers seen.
181. House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Slovakia: common in the lowlands around towns
Poland: a few in towns around Warty NP.
Belarus: common.
182. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Slovakia: common to abundant throughout.
Poland: common.
Belarus: frequent.
183. Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Slovakia: a flock of 15+ in the High Tatras.
184. Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Slovakia: 2+ in the woods above Trencin, 6+ (including young) at fishponds south of Jakubov, Zahorie, 2 in the Slovensky Kras.
Belarus: several seen around Turov.
185. Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Slovakia: a few in woods around the Hotel Mier, High Tatras and in the Slovensky Kras.
186. Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Slovakia: frequent throughout the lowlands.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: a few noted.
187. Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Slovakia: a few around Trencin.
Poland: common at Warty NP.
Belarus: a few noted.
188. Siskin Carduelis spinus
Slovakia: a few in woods around the Hotel Mier, High Tatras.
189. Serin Serinus serinus
Slovakia: a very common bird throughout the lowlands and in the lower uplands. A common garden bird in Trencin.
Poland: common in the countryside of southern Poland, a single bird heard near Warty NP.
Belarus: a single singing bird at Beloe fishponds.
190. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Slovakia: frequent throughout in small numbers.
Belarus: a few noted.
191. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus
Poland: common at Warty NP, singing Rosefinch being the typical sound of scrubby areas.
192. Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana
Belarus: a single bird noted at Turov.
193. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
Slovakia: a common bird throughout the lowlands, very common around the Slovensky Kras.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent in the farmland/floodplain edge.
194. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia
Slovakia: two on the Slovensky Kras plateau.
195. Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Slovakia: one in Zahorie.
Poland: common at Warty NP.
Belarus: frequent in the floodplain.
196. Corn Bunting Milaria calandra
Slovakia: a few seen in lowland farmland between Trencin and Bratislava.
Poland: a few at Warty NP.