Bieszczady: Europe’s stronghold n°1 for iconic predators!
The relatively poorly known Bieszczady Mountains remain a wild and remote wilderness home to some of Europe’s most exciting wildlife. Utilising two centres in 2019 – with some nights in the heart of the national park and others in prime mammal habitat just outside – was again the key to success in finding and watching an extravaganza of local wildlife. Open meadows inside forested areas are a magnet to resident ungulates and carnivores . Overlooking such areas in the early morning or during the last hour of daylight is, for example, prime time to see a herd of European Bison or patrolling Wolves.
-
- European Bison calves of different age foraging on riverine vegetation in early spring ©Detlef Tibax
-
- A roadside, patrolling Wolf at dusk ©Mark Kaptein
-
- A relaxted and undetected herd of Bison being present in a forest meadow ©Mark Kaptein
-
- A roadside, patrolling Wolf at dawn ©Mark Kaptein
Staying and watching at twilight revealed predators on the scene too! In 2019, as in previous years, several participants have succeeded in seeing wildcats, wolves, bears and lynx – occasionally more than once! More over, there were opportunities to watch predators from a purpose built hide which is also perfectly designed for photography. We also frequently came across wildlife by just cruising the roads – animals can pop up anywhere!
-
- A relaxted Wolf in a roadside ditch © Mark Kaptein
-
- An Eurasian Lynx hiding itself in dense vegetation bordering a forest trail ©Mark Kaptein
-
- Wolf using the tarmac as an easy territoral highway ©Mark Kaptein
Several participants have been fortunate to witness shy, iconic carnivores going about their business at very close range, showing a unique insight into their lives. The series of accompanied photos do not need further comment…
-
- An adult Brown Bear eating corn in front of an observation hide ©Joe Cockram
-
- Loitering wolves next to the road a few hundred metres outside a village ©Joe Cockram
-
- A massive adult Brown Bear (aka Rambo) standing its ground in front of an observation hide ©Joe Cockram
-
- An immature Brown Bear judging the area rival related ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- An evidence shot of an Eurasian Lynx overlooking a forest meadow ready to hunt hare and roe deer © Mark Kaptein
-
- A massive adult male Brown Bear not happy with the clicking sound of cameras ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- Golden Eagle appearing near a baiting site ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- An adult male Brown Bear judging the area rival related ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- A herd of European Bison (females and calves) standing their ground in the San river ©Detlef Tibax
-
- A typical picture showing the pristinity of the Bieszczady environment © Louise Kelchtermans
-
- Lesser-spotted Eagle and Brown Bear ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- A herd of European Bison bulls crossing a forest meadow at dawn ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- A gang of three immature Brown Bears leaving the baiting scene during dawn ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- A typical picture showing the pristinity of the Bieszczady environment in spring © Louise Kelchtermans
To end: winter wonderland exists in Bieszczady too!
-
- Wolf in front of hide ©K & A Gilev
-
- Bison obstacle on the road ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- A day active Pygmy Owl ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- A roadside European Bison bull standing its ground ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- Obviously, the picture shows why this a bird known as ‘Nutcracker’ ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- Shoot and push evidence of a foraging Black Woodpecker ©Jan Kelchtermans
-
- Vantage points overlooking forest meadows the key to succeed in finding targets ©Jan Kelchtermans