Latvia
Spring Migration Tour
3 May 2015 to 10 May 2015
Led by Sacha Barbato and Dabas Tures
Tour Overview
Sandwiched between Estonia and Lithuania, Latvia is a birder’s paradise awaiting discovery. There is far more to this country than just cheap beer and drunken stag/hen parties. Not only is there a wealth of great birds to be discovered but there is a spring bird migration through this country that can be nothing short of phenomenal. During the trip it could be possible to see upwards of 160 species.
Our week will be spent experiencing the quality birding and rich biodiversity in Kurland, the western region of Latvia. We will indulge in urban birding in the capital city of Riga as well as in Liepaja – the so called the Latvian Bird Capital. We will explore Ķemeri National Park, a site just outside Riga that is rich for woodpeckers and Slītere National Park, one of the most unspoilt areas in the whole of Latvia. Expect to see migrants as varied as Northern Wheatear, Thrush Nightingale and Pied Flycatcher as well as forest denizens like Hazel Grouse, Capercaille and Black Grouse.
Come and join us at Cape Kolka to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day watching for streams of migrating raptors, storks, cranes and passerines ranging from Waxwings to Chaffinches all destined for Scandinavia. This headland jutting out into the Baltic Sea on its western side and the Gulf of Riga to the east has surely got to be one of Europe’s least known migration hotspots.
Expected Birds
Black-throated Diver, Bittern, White Stork, Garganey, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Marsh Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard, Goshawk, Common Crane, Little Crake, Ruff, White-winged Black Tern, Tengmalm’s Owl, European Nightjar, European Roller, Blue-headed Wagtail, Thrush Nightingale, Savi’s Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Barred Warbler, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Penduline Tit, Red-backed Shrike.
Other Wildlife
Roe Deer, Red Deer, Elk, Pine Martin and European Beaver.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Riga and settle into the Island Hotel within the city. In the afternoon we will visit Daugavgrīva Nature Reserve on the coast just northwest of Riga for Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Bittern and Penduline Tit.
Later, we will be cooking our own dinner in Old Town, Riga.
Overnight stay in the Island Hotel, Riga http://www.islandehotel.lv/
Day 2
At sunrise we will head to Garkalne to look for Europe’s most northerly European Roller followed by White-winged Black Terns, other waterbirds and waders at Upesciems Fishponds on the outskirts of Riga.
After lunch we will go onto Odini Polder near Lielupe to watch for flocks of Ruff and migrants in the fields.
Overnight in a guesthouse in Ķemeri National Park http://valgumapasaule.lv/en/piedavajam-en/viesnica/
Day 3
Another early start to bird Ķemeri National Park exploring the area’s floodplain, swamps and forested regions looking for Savi’s Warbler, White-tailed Eagle and White-backed Woodpecker. After lunch we will also visit Lake Kaņieris and look around the Dunduru Meadows for more migrants, Common Crane and Corncrake.
Overnight again in the guesthouse in Ķemeri National Park.
Day 4
After a morning at Dunduru Meadows we will indulge in some urban birding at the coastal city of Liepāja looking for migrant passerines such as Red-backed Shrike, Marsh Warbler and Thrush Nightingale. Plus we will keep an eye out for Black and Caspian Terns along the coast.
Overnight stay at Hotel Līva, Liepāja http://www.livahotel.lv/en/home
Day 5
We will move on to Slītere National Park for more migrants as well as thousands of geese with stops en route in Užava meadows. After lunch we will sample the delights of the local brewery in Užava.
Overnight stay with delicious home made cooking at Pitagi guesthouse situated deep in the forest in Slītere National Park http://pitagien.wordpress.com/
Day 6
We will leave our secluded guesthouse to the chorus of singing Cuckoos for some early morning birding along ‘Capercaillie Road’. This is the road out of the forest where we will hope for Capercaillie, Black Grouse and Hazel Grouse collecting roadside grit.
We will spend a day at the fabulous Cape Kolka where if the winds are right anything and everything could pass low overhead including raptors, cranes and White Stork. In the bushes we will be searching for migrant passerines and on the sea we will be on the lookout for ducks and divers.
Later, we will go on a night expedition listening for Tengmalm’s Owl, crakes, Jack Snipe and European Nightjar.
Overnight stay in Hotel Zītari, Kolka http://www.viss.lv/en/?p=120336
Day 7
We will spend a second day in Kolka exploring the area on the lookout for more migration and participating in the World Migratory Bird Day 2015 ringing events.
Overnight stay in Hotel Zītari, Kolka.
Day 8
We will be a few more hours in Kolka looking for migrants before heading back to Riga for our flights home.
Price: £1150.00 (excludes flight)
Single supplement: £60.00
Deposit: £230.00
Remaining balance due 40 days before travel start date
To ensure you get a spot, make your payment online now and download your booking application.
Please return your signed booking application to tubteam@theurbanbirder.com
Full Payment @ £1150.00Deposit @ £230.00Download Booking Form
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this tour further please email:tubteam@theurbanbirder.com
Price includes:
Full board accommodation
All food and drink including lunchboxes (excluding incidental refreshments at cafes and bars)
Transport in a comfortable minibus
Entrance fees to reserves and national parks
The services of TUB Tour Group Leader Sacha Barbato and local Latvian guides.
Price does not include:
Airline tickets and airport taxes
Personal travel insurance
Entry fees to museums (if desired)
Special trip notes
This tour is suitable for all ages and abilities.
A moderate amount of walking is involved.
The springtime weather can be very changeable, especially by the coast where there may be wind and rain. So warm, damp and windproof clothing is recommended. Walking boots are also advisable.
Recommended literature
Collins Bird Guide
Northern Wheatear – David Lindo
White Stork – David Lindo
Red-breasted Flycatcher – David Lindo
Eurasian Bittern – Jakub Puskas