Wildlife Watch in Bialowieza Forest

Straddling the border of Belarus and Poland. Bialowieza Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is recognized for being over 10,000 years old, dating back to 8000BC, and is the only remaining example of the original forests which once covered most of Europe. The main feature, apart from the ancient trees themselves, is the rich wildlife the forest supports.

Half of the recorded 12,000 species in the area live directly on the dead wood that litters the forest floor. The forest is a magnet for birdwatchers who come to see amongst other species the corncrake, white-tailed eagle, white stork, peregrine falcon and eagle owl. Mammals include European bison, which were successfully reintroduced in 1929, who share the wilderness with tarpan (A Polish wild forest horse), roe deer, stag, elk, wild boar, lynx and numerous bat species.