Lithuania - Autumn migration with David Lindo!
Oct 13th - 20th, 2024
Lithuania is a land of outstanding natural beauty. Traditionally, its countryside has been considered as agricultural by many from outside its borders; however, vast woodland areas together with diverse bog complexes, natural river valleys and numerous lake systems suggest that Lithuania more typically represents a European forest region with a predomination of boreal woodland. The country possesses a varied landscape with a low human population. You will come across flooded meadows holding flocks of geese, ducks and waders. There are silent sandy coastlines, flooded meadows, countless lakes surrounded by natural wildflower meadows, divergent types of old forest stands, large bogs and swamps. The country also has an excellent transport infrastructure and is a thoroughly safe environment in which to inhabit. All of which combines to make Lithuania a very favourable destination in Europe for both wildlife and wildlife watchers. Due to being located on the Baltic flyway Lithuania is blessed with a large array of migratory birds passing through during spring and autumn migration seasons. Also, because of the presence of so many bodies of standing water, it is a highly prized stopover point for a multitude of waterbird species. The close proximity of the Baltic Sea – which remains unfrozen in winter – means that numerous congregations of seabirds occur including the threatened Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck amongst others. With a well-organized and motivated nature conservation programme there is effective protection for its rich wildlife diversity.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 – Arrival in Palanga – Ventė Cape – 13th Oct
Please arrange your flight to arrive at Palanga Airport, Lithuania (Code PLQ) in the morning. When everyone has arrived, we will commence our birding around town and then from the Palanga Bridge. This is one of the best seawatching migration spots for species like Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, Caspian Gull, Whooper and Bewick’s Swan, and ducks such as Long-tailed Duck, Greater Scaup, Common and Velvet Scoters. After Palanga we will transfer to our hotel in Ventė Cape birding along the way.
Overnight Ventė village. D
Day 2 – Ventė Cape and Nemunas Delta
Our hotel is almost at the top of the Ventė Cape and just on the shore of Curonian Lagoon, thus we will start our morning birdwatch just from the hotel garden before walking (1.5 km) towards Ventės Ragas ringing station – one of the biggest ringing stations in the world. Ventė Cape is one of the best autumn migration hotspots in Baltic States. On the best days it is possible to count up to 800,000 birds passing through over your head! This is the reason why the daily number of ringed birds here can reach upwards of 7,000 birds. It is also a great site for finding Caspian Gull, Hawfinch, Twite and redpolls amongst many other species. After lunch we will visit Kniaupas Bay and Krokų Lanka Lake both good spots for waterfowl. Kintai fishponds will be our last destination for this day. This area located in Nemunas Delta Regional Park is great for waders. Hundreds of these birds migrating along the Curonian Lagoon coastline stop at these fishponds to rest before continuing their onward journey to the south and west. Many new and rare species for the country have been discovered here including Terek Sandpiper and Pacific Golden Plover whilst species like Jack Snipe and Marsh Sandpiper are observed here each autumn.
Night Ventė village. B,L,D
Day 3 – Nemunas delta – Curonian Spit
After a morning migration watch at Ventė Cape we will leave our hotel and drive to Rusnė Island. Here we will check the Skirvytė River another great place for waders. Before the lunch we will leave Nemunas Delta and will continue our birding by boat through the Nemunas Delta’s amazing channels and bays. We will travel to Nida (Curonian Spit) by boat, crossing Curonian Lagoon in two hours. The beauty of birding by boat is that you sometimes get close views of marauding White-tailed Eagle’s that send the equally close Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Eurasian Teal, Smew, Goosander and attendant gulls into a frenzy. After lunch in Nida we will indulge in some urban birding within this beautiful village where we can expect a migrant avian surprise at almost each corner.
Night Nida B,L,D
Day 4 – Curonian Spit National Park
The first part of the day will be spent watching migration from Nida and Parnidis Dune. On good days it is possible to count up to 3 million birds passing over this narrow peace of land where both shores – Baltic Sea and Curonian Lagoon – are visible. We will carefully check the mixed migrating flocks of Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Crossbill that may also contain tits and thrushes for Parrot Crossbills secreted amongst them. The second half of the day will be spent in Nagliai Nature Reserve. This site is a good spot to possibly see Moose whilst enjoying the unspoiled landscape and migrating birds.
Night Nida B,L,D
Day 5 – Curonian Spit National Park
On this day we will enjoy migration of seabirds, waders, raptors, Common Crane and thousands of passerines at different parts of Curonian Spit – from south to north. We will visit Juodkrantė Ringing Station where, during the height of migration, the ringers are also sometimes mist-netting rare warblers like Yellow-browed and Pallas’. Juodkrantė Dendrological Traip and Kopgalis (the northeast point of the spit) will be our last destinations for the day.
Night Nida B,L,D
Day 6 – Curonian Spit National Park to Dzūkija National Park
After a morning migration watch we will leave our hotel and will start driving towards Dzūkija National Park to the south of the country. Our first stop will be in Klaipėda (third biggest city in Lithuania) on the coast of the Baltic Sea. The piers and wave-brakers at Melnragė, a district of Klaipėda, is a great place for some urban birding. You can always expect same interesting birds like Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone and Arctic Tern. On the way, we will stop at Raseniai fish ponds where we will have lunch whilst watching waterfowl and geese flocks containing both bean geese species plus Bewick’s and Whooper Swans. In the evening we will return to Dzūkija National Park.
Night Dzūkija National Park B,L,D
Day 7 – Dzūkija National Park
Dzukija National Park – an area possessing the largest area of woodland and raised-bogs in Lithuania – comes complete with cultural heritage in the shape of small ancient villages. Here we will hook up with a local and very experienced ornithologist who will guide us for the whole day. Together we will visit Čepkeliai Nature Reserve where we will have chances to observe Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers. There are a few ancient villages on our way that will also be good venues for urban birding and in the evening we will try for Pygmy Owl that are active here even in autumn!
Night Dzūkija National Park B,L,D
Day 8 – Dzūkija National Park – Vilnius – 20th Oct
After short morning birdwatch around Merkinė town we will drive to Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius. Here we will have sightseeing excursion with professional city guide. Even during the excursion we will be urban birding! After lunch in Vilnius old town we will head to the airport and our departures.
Night Dzūkija National Park B,L
Tour details
Species of interest
Leaders: David Lindo + Local guide
Tour price: £1,995
Single supplement: £175
Deposit: £500
Group size: Minimum for tour to go ahead – 5
Included in cost: Accommodation based on twin occupancy, meals as stated in the itinerary B,L,D beginning with lunch on the 13th Oct to lunch on the 20th Oct, professional guide services, local guides, local park and reserve entrance fees, transportation in comfortable mini-bus throughout, and services of leaders.
Not included: International airfare to/from Lithuania, Airport tax, insurance, items of a personal nature, Incidental refreshments at cafes and bars, alcoholic drinks and gratuities
Accommodation: All hotels and lodges are of a good standard and offer en-suite rooms, and a good variety of meals.
Highlights:
Black-throated Diver
Eurasian Pygmy Owl
Slavonian Grebe
Whooper Swan
Caspian Gull
Twite
Hazel Grouse
White-tailed Eagle
Baltic Gull
Common Crane
Arctic Tern
Bearded Tit
Yellow-browed Warbler
Great Scaup
Merlin
Long-tailed Duck
Common Scoter
Smew
European Beaver
Pine Marten
Western Capercaillie
Parrot Crossbill
Black Woodpecker
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Great Grey Shrike
Nutcracker
Jack Snipe
Hen Harrier
Hawfinch
Grey Partridge
Taiga Bean Goose
Velvet Scoter
Peregrine Falcon
Little Gull
Red-throated Diver
Tundra Bean Goose
Bewick’s Swan
Elk
Red Squirrel
Wild Boar
Tour Code: This is a standard birding tour at a time of migration which means daily routes can be changed in order to connect with the most likely areas to produce the best spectacles of European bird migration. No particular strenuous walks are planned and this tour is suitable for people of all ages. A moderate amount of walking is required but no uphill treks. The weather can range from mild to breezy. It can also be wet at this time of year so bring waterproof attire and walking boots. This time of year is also excellent for a good variety of butterflies, as well as reptiles and a good variety of other nature. To see a good amount of specialties you need to be prepared for full days. We will generally start early and either have an early breakfast or return for breakfast. Lunches will be most likely be picnics.
This tour will be booked on a first come first come first serve basis with confirmed places held on receipt of a deposit. Once we receive your deposit and completed Booking Form, we will send you a receipt of money paid and also your balance due date. Please note that once the tour has been confirmed with sufficient numbers to run, then your deposit becomes non-refundable as at this point both us and our local agents will have started administrative work and payments forwarded for local agent services.
Once the tour is confirmed to go ahead, we will send you information about booking your flights. Please do not book flights until you receive this information from us.
Final payment will be due 90 days before start of tour.
Please note we can only take participants that have been fully vaccinated against Covid 19 and proof of vaccination will be required, including boosters in destinations that require this.
Depending on destination you may also need to fill a health/locator form and show a negative Covid test which could be either a PCR or Lateral Antigen Flow Test, or a letter stating you have had and recovered from Covid.
Please note rules and regulations are constantly changing so you will need to check with Country and Governmental guidelines. At present we will all have to abide by safety rules and protocols set by the Government of the country we are visiting; this may include wearing of masks and hand sanitizing especially within restaurants and public areas. If any of these rules are required you will need agree and adhere to this before we can accept you on a Bird’s, Wildlife & Nature Tour.
All details concerning what to bring, airport transfers, health, wildlife checklists etc will be sent out once the tour is confirmed and we have received your final balance.
Insurance: We strongly recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance to protect you against any unforeseen event including travel delay, injury or illness prior to or during the tour. Note to check if your insurance covers you against expenses incurred due to contracting Covid-19 either before or during the tour.
Click on the booking form above to reserve your place on this tour
This tour is being run through – Bird’s, Wildlife & Nature LTD
44 Courtland Crescent, Plymouth, Devon UK PL7 4HL
For more information. Contact:
Tel: Tom 07481 843971 Tel: Steve 07780 965129
Outside UK – Tom +44 7481 843971 Steve – +44 7780 965129
