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Bulgaria
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© Keith Grant/Nature Portfolio  White Storks |
An exciting week's birding revelling in the annual movement of thousands of birds of prey, pelicans, storks and passerine migrants that stream south along Bulgaria's Black Sea coast.Corncrake on the hotel balcony... Lesser Spotted Eagles all but brushing our noses with their wingtips right outside the bedrooms... a party of Black Storks passing by at eye level as we breakfast in the restaurant... a male Pallid Harrier ghosting in from the Black Sea at extremely close range... falls of Golden Orioles, Red-breasted Flycatchers, Icterine Warblers... a flock of 2,000 White Pelicans struggling to find the next thermal... twenty-one different species of raptor: just some of the highlights from an autumn visit to Bulgaria's Black Sea coast! The annual migration of tens of thousands of birds of prey and storks across the Turkish Bosporus has long been famous as one of the great European bird spectaculars. But the fact that the majority of these birds - plus countless thousands of other migrants - must first travel south through coastal Bulgaria seems largely to have been overlooked by western birdwatchers. Until now that is! Our holiday is timed to run just as the spectacle of autumn migration along the 'Secret Flyway' should be at its peak. And with flights now available direct to Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, we'll arrive right in the thick of the action. By happy coincidence, some of Europe's most important wetlands are found here too, adding chances of sought-after specialities such as Dalmatian Pelican and Pygmy Cormorant. We're joined as usual by one of the country's top resident experts. The prospect is irresistible! Itinerary Day 1 We take an evening flight from London direct to Burgas on the Black Sea coast, where our guide will be waiting to welcome us. Overnight in Burgas Day 2 Burgas is a large town on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast - but there also happens to be a spectacular bird of prey migration route right overhead! The second half of September generally sees peak passage as the columns of birds stream southward. We should see plenty of Common Buzzards (most showing characters of the eastern form vulpinus, or Steppe Buzzard), with good numbers of Lesser Spotted and Short-toed Eagles, Marsh Harriers and Sparrowhawks. A sprinkling of Black Storks, Honey and Long-legged Buzzards and Levant Sparrowhawks adds to the excitement. The number of birds moving will, of course, vary enormously from day to day. That such a prospect should have been largely overlooked by travelling birdwatchers until now is surprising - even more so when one realises that some of Europe's major wetlands lie nearby. In fact, Bulgaria's most celebrated migration watch-point - Lake Atanassovo - lies close to our hotel. Kentish Plovers feed around the edge and massive White Pelicans cruise overhead. Amidst the thousands of Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls that gather at the lake each autumn, we should find the rarer Slender-billed Gull. Despite the rather dreary sound of its name, in fine weather we'll find that the ³Black Sea² is actually a bright azure blue, its shores etched with bays of brilliant white sand. Migration could bring us to a halt more or less anywhere today as we head north along the coast towards Romania. Amid some good woodland near Goritza, Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Hobby and Hawfinch are possible. Overnight Kavarna Days 3 - 4 Set on a hillside overlooking the sea, our hotel couldn't be better situated. Migrants follow the valley and, if conditions are right, birds of prey and storks can pass right by us at eye-level! At night, the hotel lights act as a beacon, encouraging waves of nocturnal migrants to descend upon the hotel's grounds. Having made a thorough check to see what's new first thing, we will head to Lake Durankulak. Glossy Ibis, Pygmy Cormorant and Ferruginous Duck frequent this mainly brackish lake, which lies just 6kms from the Romanian border. Not far away, the sheer, scrub-topped limestone cliffs of Cape Kaliakra are attractive to migrants and act as a bottle-neck to southbound soaring birds. In September, birds of prey become grounded on the cape during periods of inclement weather, which can also result in falls of just about anything! Sea-watching from the cliffs might reward us with some scuttling Yelkouan Shearwaters, and as dusk approaches we may be lucky to again see Eagle Owl. Two nights Kavarna Day 5 Tearing ourselves away from the fascinating wildlife of the Dobruja region, we return south along the coast to Burgas. The journey will take us through an ever-changing landscape; past sprawling seaside resorts with extensive beaches, along rockier stretches with cliffs and through well-wooded valleys that are a haven for birds. We'll pause atop a hillside that gives panoramic views across Yatata marsh. September migrants here could include a variety of herons, egrets, raptors and colourful flocks of Bee-eaters. Overnight Burgas Days 6 - 7 During our return visit here, we shall enjoy searching through flocks of waders, as well as frequently turning our eyes skyward to check for birds of prey. The passage of warblers through the area also shows terrific potential for eastern vagrants to appear, while over the open water, graceful Black and Whiskered Terns work to and fro above parties of resting wildfowl, offering the perfect opportunity to study their tricky autumn plumages. Two nights Burgas Day 8 We catch the morning flight from Burgas back to London. Accommodation in twin & single rooms at clean, comfortable hotels. Standards vary (generally a little below those expected in western Europe), but all rooms are en suite. Meals: All included; breakfasts & dinners at the hotels. Picnic lunches. Food (and wine!) is good. Walking : Short walks on trails over easy-moderate terrain. Sturdy walking shoes or boots advised. |
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Leaders : 2004: Graham Clark as principal leader
2005: Steve Madge & local guides Numbers : Max. 14 clients Prices: £ 1,175 Single supp. : £ 65 Deposit : £ 200 per person The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights London-Burgas with meals on-board as appropriate, accommodation, meals, coach (or minibus) transport, entry fees, tips, airport taxes, bird checklist & services of the leader/s. The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays. |
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