Bird Watching in Bulgaria

Over the last ten years birding has really taken off in Bulgaria, but it is still relatively undiscovered by many bird watchers. But Bulgaria is destined to become one of Europe's top Bird watching areas and this is not really surprising when one considers the species that can be seen in this birding paradise. There are literally thousands of birds species in Bulgaria Including over 200 Dalmatian pelicans in the colony at the Srebarna UNESCO reserve, which is reported to be the biggest European colony, More than 500 pairs of Red-footed Falcons; More than 20 pairs of the fantastic Eastern Imperial eagles, 800 pairs of Pygmy cormorant, more than 100 pairs of Ferruginous duck, and more than 50 pairs of Ruddy shell duck. The country is dotted with fishpond systems and many small and bigger rivers, where Savis Warbler, and Penduline Tit are common, and herons and egrets easily seen.

The chain of the Central Balkan National Park, Pirin and Vitosha mountains National Parks, Rila mountain with many mountain reserves, Rhodope mountain and in the far South east Strandza mountain National Park and the local reserves, with their perfect woods and huge cliffs give great opportunities for raptors. These include Eastern Imperial, Golden, Booted, Short-toed, and Lesser spotted eagles, and Saker. The lower parts of the mountains and the whole of the rest of the country is good for Long legged buzzard, Levant Sparrow hawk, Red footed falcon, Montegu`s harrier, Honey Buzzard, Egyptian, Black and Griffon vultures, White-tailed eagle, and Black and White stork. Bulgaria is also the best place in the World for seeing Wallcreeper, the biggest European populations of Sombre tit, Masked and Lesser grey shrikes, short-toed treecreeper, Olive-tree and Paddyfield warblers, Spanish sparrow, Semi- collared flycatcher, Black-headed and Rock buntings, Black-headed yellow wagtail, Golden Oriole, Roller, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Rose-coloured starling, Rock partridge, Pied, Isabelline and Eastern Black-eared wheatears, Corncrake, Syrian woodpecker, Calandra and Short-toed larks.

Many rare European species, like Pallid swift, Little and spotted crakes, Stone-curlew, Collared and Black-winged pratincoles, Gull-billed and Caspian terns, White pelicans, Eagle owl, Ural owl, Scops owl, Pygmy and Tegmalm`s owls, Shore lark, Rock and Blue rock thrush, Sub-alpine, Barred, Sardinian and Orphean warblers, Nutcracker, Rock sparrow, and Dotterel are relatively easy to find. In almost every wood and the open area there are Black, Green, Grey-headed, Middle-spotted, Great-spotted, and Lesser-spotted woodpeckers. High in the mountain are three-toed woodpecker. There is a good chance of the rare White-backed woodpecker, as well as Syrian woodpecker and Wryneck in the open areas.

The best time to visit is spring, with, on average, 220-230 species, including many rarities but birding in autumn is also good, especially for large raptor migration, Pelicans, and shorebirds. There are huge number of birds every autumn with Honey Buzzards (6000+); Levant sparrow hawk (100+); Common buzzards (20,000+); Booted eagle (100); Lesser spotted eagles (10,000+); Short-toed eagles (400+); Pallid harriers (15); Hobbys (70+); Red footed falcons (1000+); White storks (over 130,000); Black stork (3000+); White pelicans (20,000+); Dalmatian pelicans, and many other rare and interesting birds such as thousands of wagtails, swallows, pipits, and larks etc.

Bulgaria is one of the best European countries for birding in winter, as it holds thousands of Red-breasted and White fronted geese, a very good chance of lesser white-fronted geese and rare European ducks. In the last few years there have been very good numbers of White headed duck (over 300); Smew, Dalmatian pelican, Great white Egret, Whooper and Bewick`s swans, Rough-legged and Long legged buzzards.

Bulgarian landscape is very variable. The plains and marshes of the Danube and Maritsa rivers and Black sea coast give a great possibility of getting all the European herons, as well as Spoonbills and Glossy Ibis, Little Bittern breed. Even the forest in the centre of Sofia - the Bulgarian capital, gives perfect opportunities for birding, and Vitosha mountain national park is just a few minutes by car from Sofia. The dozens of reserves in the country and also many unprotected areas with their variety of landscape, birds, plants insects etc, in a small country such as Bulgaria, mark it out as a leading European country for birding.

The climate is typically continental in Northern Bulgaria and Dobrudza region, which means warm summers and cold winters. Along the black sea coast the winter is not so severe and the summer is not so hot. In the high mountains the climate is typical with long and cold winter and shorter spring and summer. Along the southern border with Turkey and Greece the Mediterranean influence is tactile. One of the most important sources of foreign income in Bulgaria is tourism and so most of the country is geared up to receiving and looking after visitors and that includes birders. Food, and drinks are cheap and accommodation is very reasonable. Yet, many regions of Bulgaria are still rather under developed with farmland that still hosts good numbers of birds.

SREBARNA LAKE

A lake of international importance, situated in North-Eastern Bulgaria. The wetland has extensive reedbeds and is separated from the Danube River by a narrow stripe of wood. There is also a channel, connecting the lake and the river, where the water flow from the Danube could be easily regulated. Srabarna Lake is most famous for its colony of Dalmatian Pelicans. During the nesting season many other water-connected species use to breed in the reedbeds or the willow shrubs like Little and Great Egrets, Purple, Night and Squacco Herons, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibises, Pygmy Cormorants, Red-necked Grebes, Ferruginous Ducks (here is the main breeding area of this species in the country), Pochards, Garganeys, Whiskered Terns, Penduline Tits etc. White-tailed Eagles, Black Kites and Levant Sparrowhawks, despite not breeding in the area, feed here regularly. During migration and winter (if the lake is not covered by ice) many waterfowl (such as Greylags, White-fronted, Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese, dabbling ducks etc.) rest here, accompanied by White-tailed Eagles and Rough-legged Buzzards.

STUDEN KLADENETS DAM

 The dam is situated in the Eastern Rhodopes. Highly impressive cliffs along the deep main valley of Arda River and shrubby slopes around predetermine the vicinity as an important area for many species of European and global importance. The site is housing three species of vultures - Griffon, Egyptian and Black Vulture. For many others birds of prey like Eastern Imperial, Golden, Lesser Spotted, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Honey and Long-legged Buzzards the territory near by is a traditional breeding place. Black Storks also nest in the niches on the rocks. The abundance of southern species of passerines is also remarkable, including such specialities as Blue Rock Trush, Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, Eastern Bonelli’s, Olive-tree, Olivaceous, Orphean and Barred Warblers, Masked Shrike and Black-headed Bunting. During migration almost the whole birds of prey species list, known for Bulgaria so far, could be seen in the area!