Winter long weekend January– February

On this trip an extra destination with Siberian Jays at a winter feeding station 2 hours drive further north is added.
Enjoy the northern winter atmosphere with crisp, cold air, snow-covered landscapes and birds like Hawk– and Pygmy Owl.
Nutcrackers, Hawfinches and Grey-headed Woodpeckers offer close encounters on feeding stations in different habitats. Along the road you encounter birds like Rough-legged Buzzards, Great Grey Shrike and more.
Some years Pine Grosbeaks are available in the area.
The itinerary is adjusted to arrival and departure times of Ryanair flights at closely situated Västerås Airport. For those who wish to fly at other times we recommend flying to Stockholm-Arlanda airport, just 1 hour drive away.

Day 1
Arrival at Västerås Airport 14:00
Transfer to the Black River Valley with hot drinks and sandwiches at a Hawfinch garden feeder along the way. Other birds to expect on the feeding station include Bullfinch, Redpoll, Nuthatch, Yellowhammer, Greenfinch, Marsh Tit, Great tit, Blue tit, Coal tit, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Common Jay and occasionally Arctic Redpoll, Siskin and Brambling.
Of course we spend the last minutes before dusk looking for Pygmy Owls perched in spruce tree-tops along the route. (It gets dark around 16:00)
Dinner & Night at Fläckebo B&B.

Day 2
Breakfast at B&B
Hawk Owl excursion in the Black River Valley with outdoor lunch. Often the Hawk Owls perch in treetops or on telephone poles in open daylight, providing good views and photo opportunities.
Visit at the forest feeding station for Nutcrackers and Grey-headed Woodpeckers. These birds often show really well and within close distance, providing excellent views and photo-opportunities.
Other birds at the feeders are Crested–, Coal– and Willow Tits, Bullfinches, Nuthatches (Scandinavian race), Great tit, Blue tit, Great-spotted Woodpecker, and occasionally Long-tailed Tits (of the Scandinavian white-headed race).
At dusk we look for Pygmy Owl.
Goshawk, Golden– and White-tailed Eagles also frequent the area.
Transfer to Jädra Ås (2,5 hour drive)
Dinner and night at Jädra ås herrgård.

Day 3
Breakfast at B&B
Excursion to Siberian jay feeding station at Ockelbo, with good chances of Grey-headed Woodpecker as well.
While we enjoy the curious Jays we grill some locally produced hot dogs over an open fire.
Transfer back to the Black River Valley with short stop at the open streams of the river Dalälven for Dippers (Black-bellied race).
Pygmy Owls often appear along the road.
Night & Dinner at Fläckebo B&B.

Day 4
Breakfast at B&B
We spend the last morning looking for White-tailed Eagles around lake Fläcksjön. We probe deeper into the vast taiga forest where Black Woodpeckers and Black– or Hazel Grouse might turn up along the way.
On request we might revisit the forest feeders for more views of Crested Tits, Nutcrackers and Grey-headed Woodpeckers or any locally abundant Hawk Owl.
Black Grouse and Common Crossbills often turn up along the forest roads.
Waxwings can appear in any garden in the picturesque, small villages of the valley.
Transfer to Västerås Airport with second chance to enjoy the Hawfinches at the feeding station along the route.
Departure from Västerås Airport 15:00

The journey is a collaboration between BirdSafarisweden and Karlmark Travel. (Karlmark Travels holds the travel warranty insurance that covers this trip)