Sweden ........ 30th April to 4th May 2011

Vastmanland

The beauty and tranquillity of Vastmanland’s forests and lakes is a truly wonderful environment and one where a number of Northern Taiga bird species can be found – perhaps here at the southern-most limit of their range. Owls and woodpeckers are top features in this area, with Eagle, Ural, Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owls taking star billing and a high class supporting cast of Wryneck, Black, Grey-headed and Three-toed Woodpeckers. Also resident are Slavonian Grebe, Common Crane, Northern Goshawk, Black-throated Diver, Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, White-tailed Eagle, Spotted Nutcracker, Crested Tit and Hawfinch and Great Grey Owl breed regularly. The Black River Valley and surrounding areas of farmland and lakes offer rich and plentiful habitat for a variety of migrant and summer breeding species, including: Osprey, Hobby, Smew, Green Sandpiper, Common Crane, Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling and Common Rosefinch. This is a superb short tour, offering the opportunity to experience some of the rarer species that are normally encountered only on longer more expensive tours to Northern Scandinavia.

Day 1: An early morning flight from Stansted to Vasteras with Ryanair. On arrival we will be met by our Leader/Guide and then driven to Vastmanland with some local birding en route at a lakeland area. There should be a good chance of seeing Slavonian Grebes in fine breeding plumage and perhaps Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Black Tern.

Days 2 - 4: During the following days, we will visit the forests for owls, woodpeckers (Grey-headed, Black & Three-toed) and also Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse and Spotted Nutcracker. There is an excellent chance of Pygmy Owl and in recent years Great Grey Owls have bred and been seen regularly at one site we visit. A lingering Hawk Owl is always a possibility and there may also be an opportunity of seeing Ural & Tengmalm’s Owls being ringed. The forests are also a haven for Goshawk, Hazel Grouse, Crested Tit, Hawfinch, the white-headed race of Long-tailed Tit, Wryneck and Icterine Warbler. The farmland and wetlands should provide a host of excellent species, including breeding Common Cranes, Smew, White-tailed Eagle, Hobby, Ruff, Greenshank and Black Tern.

Day 5: Catch our return flight to UK.

Tour ref: AA1161

Cost: 1100 (approx)
Deposit: 150
Single Room Supplement: TBA

Leaders: Daniel Green

Max. Group: 12 plus 2 Leaders

Includes:
Return flights (Stansted-Vasteras-Stansted), accommodation based on twin occupancy, all meals (picnic lunches), ground transportation in Sweden and services of leaders.

Excludes:
Travel insurance, drinks and items of a personal nature.