We woke up
in pouring rain. It was pretty dark and cloudy out there. Luckily, we didn’t
have any particular aims for the morning. We had breakfast and off we started
our trip to the North. Shortly after that we stopped at some salt pans where
Sandwich Terns breed. We added Common Ringed Plover and Greenshank to the
species list. Luckily we had a shelter so pretty cozy regardless of the rain.
After a few
more additions to the list we continued our journey across a mountain pass to
the North of Bourgas. The rain hadn’t stopped so we couldn’t see more but once
we descended from the mountains we were back to an oak woodland. Participants
in the group wanted to see some more Semi-collared Flycatchers and so we did.
Males were singing at several sites. A nice surprise was a Wryneck which called
in the forest. It is most probably a migrating bird but still nice to see.
Lunch was
in a small family run restaurant not far from this Semi-collared Flycatcher
place. We had chicken stew with boiled potatoes. After a refreshing coffee we
opened our eyes and the results followed. Just as we were talking about Steppe
Buzzard, a migrating bird came and showed its diagnostic tale to all the
participants. The bird was fairly dark resembling an ordinary Common Buzzard
but the tail was definitely different. Then at least a dozen Honey Buzzard and
over 50 White Pelicans came together with two Black Storks and a Sparrowhawk.
This was only within 15 minutes. Not too bad, is it.
We continued our trip to the next place where
we wanted to see an Eagle Owl. Upon arrival, before we got off the van people
already saw the bird in its niche. They proved to be two birds. This is a
pretty good addition to the list. That’s especially true for my Bulgarian
friends who have been trying to see it for quite some time.
The next target was Stone Curlew. We changed
the habitat drastically and already were in the pseudo steppe. There was the
Stone Curlew. Two birds came around to see us. Ticked! Off we go.
On the way to our hotel 5 Grey Partridges
stayed out in the open fields only about 30 m from the road posing for some
shots. While struggling to see them on the first day, here they are showing off
nicely. A Roller, Red-footed Falcon and a pale Booted Eagle were the other
highlights along the road.
Once we arrived at the hotel, everyone was
inpatient to go out. The area of the hotel is superb with its pseudo steppe
habitat with birds like Calandra Larks and Tawny Pipits. For an hour walk we
managed to see Pied Wheatear (a highlight for most people in the group), male
and female Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-footed Falcon, Spotted Flycatcher,
Woodchat Shrike, Black-throated Diver to name but a few. We ended up with 112
species for the day and 213 for the trip so far.
Tomorrow morning before breakfast we expect to
see more of them and hope for some Yelkouan Shearwaters.
Looking forward to tomorrow!
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