Slovenia (Photographic)........15th to 19th October 2023
Wallcreepers and Owls
Slovenia is one of the smallest countries in Europe, located at the meeting point of the Alps, the Adriatic Sea and the Pannonian Plain. It has borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.
With a population of only about two million, it boasts vast forests, rich biodiversity and numerous protected areas and parks. According to the Good Country Index, it is among the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. Nearly 60% of the surface area is covered by forests. In addition there are numerous wetlands.
In spite of the country’s small size a remarkable number of bird species have been recorded but on this short tour we will be concentrating on photographing just a small number of them, including Wallcreeper, Ural Owl and Eurasian Pygmy Owl.
We will spend our time in the Koroška region, drawing on our experience from previous visits and working with local guides to find the best photo opportunities.
Day 1: We fly to Ljubljana arriving mid afternoon and transfer to our hotel, Hisa Poljana, near the border with Austria and the Southern Alps. There should be an opportunity on the way for landscape photography as the sun sets.
Days 2 - 4: An extensive network of mountain roads provides a wealth of opportunity to experience the unspoiled mountains and forests and the tranquility of this very scenic area. Our first main target will be Wallcreeper and there should be opportunities to take photos of these delightful birds at close range as they search for food in cracks in the rock face. It is a beautiful and very fast bird, so you will need to be really focused to get the best shots.
One day will be devoted to photographing owls. We will be in the vicinity of Mt. Peca, at 2,126 m the easternmost two-thousand-metre mountain in Slovenia that belongs to the Karavanke range. The coniferous and mixed forests hold both Ural Owl and the smallest owl in Europe, the Eurasian Pygmy Owl and there will be some moderate to easy walking to find them.
Depending on our success with the main target species and the available time remaining, there may be the chance to look for some mammals such as Chamois and Red Squirrel.
Day 5: A mid morning flight from Ljubljana to the UK.
Tour ref: AA23**
Cost: £1250 plus flights
Deposit: £500
Single Room Supplement: £80
Leader: Peter Dedicoat
Max Group: 6 + Leader
Includes: Accommodation based on twin occupancy, meals, transport in Slovenia & services of leader.
Excludes: Flights, travel insurance, drinks & items of a personal nature.
We will spend our time in the Koroška region, drawing on our experience from previous visits and working with local guides to find the best photo opportunities.
Day 1: We fly to Ljubljana arriving mid afternoon and transfer to our hotel, Hisa Poljana, near the border with Austria and the Southern Alps. There should be an opportunity on the way for landscape photography as the sun sets.
Days 2 - 4: An extensive network of mountain roads provides a wealth of opportunity to experience the unspoiled mountains and forests and the tranquility of this very scenic area. Our first main target will be Wallcreeper and there should be opportunities to take photos of these delightful birds at close range as they search for food in cracks in the rock face. It is a beautiful and very fast bird, so you will need to be really focused to get the best shots.
One day will be devoted to photographing owls. We will be in the vicinity of Mt. Peca, at 2,126 m the easternmost two-thousand-metre mountain in Slovenia that belongs to the Karavanke range. The coniferous and mixed forests hold both Ural Owl and the smallest owl in Europe, the Eurasian Pygmy Owl and there will be some moderate to easy walking to find them.
Depending on our success with the main target species and the available time remaining, there may be the chance to look for some mammals such as Chamois and Red Squirrel.
Day 5: A mid morning flight from Ljubljana to the UK.
Tour ref: AA23**
Cost: £1250 plus flights
Deposit: £500
Single Room Supplement: £80
Leader: Peter Dedicoat
Max Group: 6 + Leader
Includes: Accommodation based on twin occupancy, meals, transport in Slovenia & services of leader.
Excludes: Flights, travel insurance, drinks & items of a personal nature.