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Spring Birding in Lithuania
Tour Code: LTU01A 9-day tour in search of migrant and breeding birds, as well as other wildlife, amongst the varied habitats of scenic Lithuania.
£2,495 (Inc flights)
£2,245
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Our visit to Lithuania, the southernmost of the Baltic States, coincides with the peak of spring. The country’s superb range of scarce and localised birds will be in their breeding finery and in full song. We will explore the Nemunas Delta, with its impressive array of breeding rarities, such as Citrine Wagtail. We then cross to the extraordinary Curonian Spit, a long, narrow (up to 3.8km wide) neck of land between the Baltic and the huge (1,619km2) freshwater Curonian Lagoon. Far inland at the Aukštaitija National Park, north-east of Vilnius, we will enjoy the complete contrast of the peaceful taiga forest and lakes, with a whole new suite of species to look out for.
- Rich diversity of habitats, including coastal delta, meadows, raised bogs and taiga forest
- Bird the fabulous Nemunas Delta, looking for breeding rarities such as Citrine Wagtail, Greater Spotted Eagle and Great Snipe
- Boat ride across to the sand-dune dominated Cunonian Spit, 98km long yet as little as 400m wide in places.
- Good chance of seeing Elk on the Spit.
- Curious mixture of breeding birds here includes Tawny Pipit and Red-breasted Flycatcher.
- Most of Europe’s woodpecker species can be found in Aukštaitija National Park
- Superb lakeland scenery, with breeding divers and grebes
Grading
Easy to moderate day walks.
Lithuania is a surprisingly beautiful country, as well as a wonderful location in which to watch wildlife throughout the year. Its landscapes comprise a diverse mix of lowland bogs, river valleys, agricultural fields, lake systems and vast tracts of taiga forest. On this new tour we will explore both the coastal habitats in the west of the country and the forests of the east, aiming to experience the best spring birding that Lithuania has to offer.
Ventė Cape will be our base for the first three nights of the holiday, as we explore the Nemunas Delta. During early morning walks from our hotel we will look for such species as Barred Warbler and White Stork, whilst excursions further afield to the delta’s islands, marshlands, raised bogs and meadows may yield Citrine Wagtail, Whiskered Tern, Montagu’s Harrier and Greater Spotted Eagle. Near Rusne Island we will look for two of eastern Europe’s most sought-after species, Aquatic Warbler and Great Snipe. Leaving the delta, we will head for Curonian Spit, where we will stay for two nights near the village of Nida. To get there, a lagoon-crossing by boat will give us the chance to look for White-tailed Eagles. The spit offers us some interesting landscapes to explore. Tawny Pipit, Hobby and Velvet Scoter may often be seen near the Juodkrantė ringing station and the nearby woodlands are home to Redbreasted Flycatcher. Elk, the largest of the world’s cervids, are also regularly seen here, and we will be looking out for this impressive mammal as we explore the Grey Dunes.
Moving on, we next travel across Lithuania from west to east, appreciating the diversity of the countryside en route. The destination for our final three nights is Aukštaitija National Park, a region clothed in taiga forest, wetlands and meadows dotted with quaint old villages. Morning walks from Miškiniškės (our characterful hotel) may produce Black, Grey-headed, Whitebacked and Three-toed Woodpeckers, whilst an evening visit to the forests may reveal a diminutive Pygmy Owl. Black-throated Divers and Slavonian Grebes breed on the nearby lakes and wetlands and Corncrakes call from the adjacent meadows. We may also be fortunate enough to see one of Lithuania’s few breeding European Rollers before we make our way back to Vilnius for our flight home.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
All accommodation is included in the tour cost.
A combination of comfortable hotels with private facilities on the west coast and traditional style forest village houses in the east, with a mixture of private and shared facilities.
- Food:
All food is included in the tour cost.
Dates & Prices
2025
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
