Birding holidays
Activity level:
easy/moderate walks
Black Woodpecker © Csonka Péter
Hawfinch © Nehézy László
Europe/Slovakia
Spring in Slovakia – Woodpeckers and Owls
Slovakia, 8 days
Springtime in the mountains! Woodpeckers are drumming loudly, sought-after owls are hooting at dusk and raptors abound!
The Tatra Mountains of Slovakia are the perfect place to observe several highlight species such as Golden and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Ring Ouzel, Hazel Grouse, all 10 European Woodpeckers, Common Crossbill, Crested Tit, an if you are lucky Capercaillie or Wallcreeper. In the alpine zone Water Pipit, and Alpine Accentor are found along with Chamois and Alpine Marmot.
The limestone region of the Slovak Karst offers an abundance of owl and woodpecker species. Pygmy, Tengmalm’s, Ural and Eagle Owl are all found, plus Hazel Grouse, 10 species of woodpecker including Three-toed and White-backed, Collared Flycatcher and later in the season Corncrake, River and Barred Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher. The area is also famous for its rich butterfly and bat fauna.
Facts
- 8 days in Slovakia visiting National Parks famed for rare birds and mammals
- begin and end in Poprad or Budapest (depending on best available flights)
- using 2 hotels located close to the top sites
Highlights
- visiting famous National Parks such as Tatra and Slovensky Kras
- wide variety of birds, mammals, butterflies and habitats
- up to 6 species of owl possible, all 10 woodpeckers of Europe, Tengmalm’s and Ural Owl
- unique scenery of the High Tatras and the Slovakian Karst
Hotels
3 nights in a hotel located in the entrance of a very nice valley in the Low Tatras
4 nights in a hotel in the Slovakian Karst region
Departure Dates
15-19 April 2026
Price
5-days tour from 1,540 EUR + 215 EUR (single room supplement)
Optional programmes
Cable car to the higher region to look for alpine species
Participation in the capturing of bats at one of the best places for bats in Europe
Itinerary
After landing at Poprad or Budapest Airport (depending on best available flights) we drive to our hotel overlooking the snowcapped peaks of the Tatras. Time permitting we visit a nearby reservoir for ducks, waders and gulls.
We spend 2 days in the Tatras searching for Lesser Spotted and Golden Eagle, Three-toed and White-backed Woodpecker, Ural and Pygmy Owl, Nutcracker, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Common Crossbill and Wallcreeper. We might visit the higher regions with a cable car in search of alpine species such as Water Pipit, Alpine Accentor, Chamois and Alpine Marmot.
We head south to the Slovakian Karst region. We spend 3 full days in the scenic woodlands home to Ural, Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owl, all European woodpeckers, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatcher, Corncrake and Hawfinch among others. The area is very good for bats and butterflies and one evening we can participate in mistnetting bats close to our hotel.
We drive to the airport stopping en route for birds.
