Naust Eco Station

We provide a generally directed wildlife trips in Naliboki Forest that are  targeted a lot on wolves and lynxes. What does it mean?

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We introduce guests to the variety of habitats of Naliboki Forest, first of all, ecologically rich ones and centuries-old primeval forest. Showing habitats we grab our guests’ attention to signs of mammal activity therein. Mostly those are tracks on different mammal species, wolf dens, badger setts, lynx marking points with its hair and claw marks, mammal pathways, lodges and dams of beavers etc. In snowy period guests may try snowtracking of mammals, first of all, charismatic species like wolf and lynx. Following fresh track trails of the species there is an opportunity to see them.

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Every day we show wild animals, while walking (hiking in the wild terrain), driving in the animal-rich habitats and spot-watching in the places with a high chance to see particular species.

In the warm season there is guarantee or a high chance (given in %) to see bison (70%), elk (moose), other ungulate species, mounting hare (80%), raccoon dog (60%), red fox, American mink (70%), beaver (90%) and otter (70%). It is markedly harder to see wolves (40%) or lynxes (5%) in the warm season, whereas in snowy period the plausibility to see wolves (70%) and lynxes (30% in the case of several snowtrackings) increases a lot. However, the chance to see beaver and otter during  winter is greatly lower.

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On the way we check 30-40 camera traps that are mainly set for wolves and lynxes, so, looking through photos on the camera traps, guests are getting a good feeling of different species presence in the habitats they see. In September-October we usually show rut in red deer as well as rut calling elks are listened to in September.

 

Concerning attractive bird species, year-round may be seen capercaillies (30-100%), black grouses (80-100%), hazel grouses, three-toed woodpeckers (50%), pigmy owls (70%), white-backed woodpecker, black woodpeckers, whooper swans. In the warm season guests usually see black storks, cranes (huge flocks of them may be seen in September-October), woodcocks, nightjars and many other bird species. Also, white stork colony of more than 40 nests on huge oaks in the Nioman valley are visited. Naliboki Forest is characterized by a high diversity of birds of prey. As to very attractive species, guests may see golden eagle (20-70%), white-tailed eagle (80-100%), short-toed eagle (70% in the warm season) and spotted eagle (warm season).

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In the warm season 1-3 days of a tour may be occupied with going with kayaks along wild beautiful rivers of different sizes. Every time, when it is suitable, we provide guests with respective knowledge about the key species of animals, the terrain origin, local human history and ethnography, by giving shorter or longer lectures.