A Woodpecker paradise

Collared Flycatchers all over

Such a dense Woodpecker population does also provide a perfect habitat for secondary hole-nesters. And the next species up was one of the more famous inhabitants of the Bialowieska, namley the Collared Flycatcher. During the day we recorded 20-25 birds. Several of the males were sitting outside nesting boxes, giving nice digiscoping opportunities (despite poor light conditions in the dense forest).

We went out in the field really early today, with hopes of spotting European Bison somewhere in the Bialowieska forest. We had no luck with this huge mammal, but there were plenty of birds to see and hear. Driving around in the park with the car windows lowered to hear begging Woodpecker chicks was an effective way to find breeding Woodpeckers. During the day we found active nests of Middle-spotted, White-backed and Great-spotted Woodpecker, as well as Wryneck. In addition a Grey-headed Woodpecker was observed.

All day was spent in or near the Bialowieska forest. Other noteworthy records were a singing Barred Warbler, good numbers of Corn Crakes in agricultural areas, Golden Orioles here and there, River Warblers, several Thrush Nightingales and a total of five different singing Red-breasted Flycatchers. In the evening we watched a few Common Noctules Nyctalus noctula hunting near the hotel.