The Republic of Belarus is a former Soviet Republic, situated to the east of Poland, south of the Baltic states and north of the Ukrain and with Russia to its east. It is still a very rural country with a largely low intensity agricultural system, which has meant much of its wildlife is still intact, rich and at times abundant. Containing some of the best examples of Ancient forests and freshwater wetland marshes left in eastern Europe. In May of 2011 I visited the Pripyat River system in the south of Belarus bordering the Ukraine, where some of the best grazing marshes in Europe can be found, and some superb wildlife such as Great Snipe lecks,many Ruff, White-winged Terns the stunning Azure Tit, Terek Sandpipers various woodpeckers and Collard Flycatchers to mention just a few of the many interesting species found here.