Tracking in the Bialowieza Primeval Forest

We will be tracking in one of the last remaining parts of the immense primeval forest that once stretched across the European Plain. The forest is home to European Bison, Europe's heaviest land animal. 

Forest is rich in plant and animal communities, with a long list of species, including: European bison, wolf, lynx, red squirrel, red deer, moose, sea eagle, lesser spotted eagle, martens, wild boar, black woodpecker, pygmy owl, crane, black stork, otter, racoon dog, muskrat, and beaver. And, you might not see any of them … but then again you might! You are definitely going to see tracks and signs and be able to gain a sense of the presence and evidence of animals some of which cannot be found in the UK, and it will be a chance to see and learn to recognize their tracks and signs, and have insight into their daily lives.

Course content

The course focus is on learning to recognise the tracks and signs of the wildlife to be found in the region. You will study track morphology, tracks, gait, droppings, and all the other clues that animals leave behind to alert us of their passing. We will also devote some time to learning how to follow animal trails. The forest excursions will be on foot but we will be using vehicles to access the best locations to find the most abundant sign and hopefully spot some of Poland’s elusive mammals. The programme is designed to be educational, and we really hope you leave Poland with an appreciation of the art and science of both tracking and trailing. It is suitable for beginners as well as advanced trackers. Most of the information and teaching will take place out in the forest but we may also spend some time more formally explaining principles to maximise the value of time spent with the wildlife in their forest.

The course will be led by John Rhyder and Mila Saunders supported by local guides and naturalists. John is the only senior tracker in Northern Europe having scored 100% in both track and sign and trailing in specialist evaluations, the highest assessed level possible in the Cybertracker system. John is also a track and sign and trailing evaluator for the CyberTracker Conservation.

The Polish wilds are remarkable places to find and follow tracks. To see wildlife, it is best to be out and about fairly early in the morning, so for two or perhaps three of the days we may well leave before breakfast for a couple of hours and then come back to eat and have a fairly long mid-morning break.

There will be trip to “the heart” of Bialowieza Primeval Forest, where no human hand has intervened for 100 years. You will be able to see how animals steward the land without “help” of human animal. UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme designated the Polish Biosphere Reserve Białowieża in 1976.

The course will finish with a two day track and sign evaluation, as far as we know- the first one in Poland. The participants will have a chance to apply their knowledge and maybe leave with tracker certification. It is a great and very effective way of learning. More about certification here.

Getting there:

Pick up and drop off from Warsaw airport can be arranged without additional costs.

We will have to choose one time convenient to all participants, as we will have a limited number of vehicles. 

Travel days: 13th and 20th of April. More information after booking.

Who is the course for:

Course is suitable for beginners and advanced trackers, and all in between. Naturalists, nature enthusiasts, ecologists, anyone eager to learn and be in nature starring at the mud. If you don’t have any experience with tracking, be prepared to learn a lot. We will run through fundamentals of foot morphology and there will be some theory in the evenings. Track and sign evaluation is great learning opportunity, as you have to go by yourself through decision making process. Great opportunity to have practice at tracking, and you have a chance to become certified tracker if you score more than 69%. If participants won’t agree on the answer, it will be explained, and discussed. Questions are encouraged. More about evaluation, certificate and Cybertracker system can be found here.

When:   13-20 of April 2024 (13th and 20th being mostly travel days)

Price:  EARLY BIRD £1,390 (£350 non-refundable deposit paid by 31st of December 2023)

Regular price : £1,550 booking after 31st of December 2023

Price includes food (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner) and accommodation in two and three person rooms. Additional £150 single room supplement (limited availability). Flight and travel costs prior to arriving in Poland are not included in the price. Course is limited to 10 participants, need 8 to run.