събота, 31 май 2014 г.

Birdwatching and photography trip around Bulgaria and Greece: 24.05-2.06, day 6

Wallcreeper, Ring Ouzel, Nutcracker and overnight off-road drive from a bear hide. What a day!
We started with a morning walk around our hotel. The weather was rather overcast and drizzling now and then. Nevertheless we managed to get a few Rock Buntings, a Firecrest and a Common Treecreeper.

After some pancakes with home made raspberry jam we headed to the Wallcreeper place. It was a hightlight bird for the trip so we all wanted to see it. Shortly after our arrival at the spot someone shouted out 'There it is'. We pointed our cameras and waited for the right moment. The bird sat for about 10 min feeding and preening showing its lovely red wing. Then the bird came closer for another 10 min presenting us with lovely views and photography opportunities. It was nicely singing to announce its territory. Everyone in the group was impressed by the bird call which you don't hear often. In a couple of minutes the bird took off but soon it came back for another 10 min session. Our guests were happy with the results and we headed towards our next target bird - Nutcracker. The area also gives some opportunities for Pygmy Owl.

Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Wallcreeper photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
On our way we stopped for a quick coffee in an old picturesque village. Soon we we at our birding location. An adult Ring Ouzel was calmly feeding on a meadow presenting more opportunities for photographing it. Our guest wanted to see this bird which is a different race from the one in North Western Europe and it has more white on the belly.

We gained some height along the road and stopped at a layby with superb view over the valley. Nutcrackers are usually here. They stay high up in the mountains at their breeding time. Another Ring Ouzel was waiting for us at the layby. Shortly after that we had our first Nutcrackers. They were really wanted and I am glad we managed to get them. Couple of km further ahead a family of Nutcrackers turned up with 3 chicks. We also had Crossbills, more Ring Ouzels, and Firecrest. Couple of Siskinks and Bullfinches were also around. We did try for the Pygmy Owl but with no result. We had to go because we had booked a hide for bears and had to be on time at a meeting place where a guy with a 4x4 was going to meet and take us to the hide.

Nutcracker photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Nutcracker photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Nutcracker photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Nutcracker photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Nutcracker photography, copyright Iordan Hristov
Nutcracker photography, copyright Iordan Hristov

On the way down from the mountain top we had a Red Fox which has been rather shy and only showed its ears :) and a nicely marked Honey Buzzard.

Honey Buzzard, copyright Iordan Hristov
Honey Buzzard, copyright Iordan Hristov
Hour and a half later we were at the meeting point. A pick up with seats at the back stopped by. Packed our staff and changed vehicles to head to our hide. We stopped for a while by am old barn to get some corn for the bear and off we went along the track.

on our way to the bear watching hide

The driver was really skillful driving off the road. He definitely knew his way around. The vehicle performed really well. It was a Nissan Navara with the Mud terrain BF Goodrich tires. It was fantastic along the road with typical landscapes of open meadows and high pine trees.
We arrived at the hide full of enthusiasm. The food that has been provided has finished - a sign that animals have been around. We quickly went into the hide and set up all the gear.


Cameras were ready and the bear may come :) About three Jays turned up first followed by five Wood Pigeons. I started clicking on them for a surprise of our guests who were impressed how much time I spend on just Wood Pigeons. Well they are not regularly seen around.
 
Jay, copyright Iordan Hristov
Jay, copyright Iordan Hristov


In an couple of minutes/hours a Brown Hare came over for a short while. It came to the salt which our hosts have put in front of the hide. We got a few shots and off it went. Then the waiting started. 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours… time goes on and nothing happens. It was already dark and a shade moved in between the tree stumps. A Wild Boar! The animal was not very big animal. It wondered around for a while and off it went. We stayed for another hour or so when it started raining. This was the end of it. We decided to head home which going to be rather exciting with the pick up truck.

Our local driver and I went to take the car since we had left it behind couple of minutes walking away from the hide. It was already pretty wet and it was constantly raining. Not very heavily though. We successfully got on the car and then the adventure began. One of our guests and I sat at the back of the pick up with the rain coat on and all my gear. Rain drops were coming down my face. Wind was blowing the raindrops straight into us. The driver was going down the hill with quite a high speed and he would often go near the edge of a bend with no trees beyond. Nevertheless it was great to feel the “taste of rain”. It gave me some sort of energy and charm which I haven’t experienced. Going downhill in complete darkness, with rain and wind. It is unforgettable experience. It wasn’t cold anymore.

Soon we saw the first lights from the street lamps of the village. Most of the lights in the houses were already switched off. The village was asleep. We arrived and changed vehicle for another 40 minutes drive to our hotel. Not far from it there was this Roe Deer that has just given birth right in the middle of the road. It was still raining and the little calve was just struggling to get up. It was really fragile. We quickly drove passed it and let it in peace. It was time for some sleep.

сряда, 28 май 2014 г.

Birdwatching and photography trip around Bulgaria and Greece: 24.05-2.06, day 5



It was mainly a travelling day. From the wetlands we were moving to the high mountains. Our main target bird there would be the Wallcreeper. A well wanted bird.

We started at about 7,30 and in hour we stopped to try again for the Orphean Warbler at well known site with good experience from a couple of weeks ago. We stayed in the area for an hour or so but the birds were not there. We had a Marsh Warbler, the first for the trip Sand Martins, quite a few Black-headed Buntings, more Olivaceous Warblers, and plenty of Corn Buntings. 
 
After a nice ice cream we headed to our next stop. There we got our first Olive-tree Warbler which was a well wanted bird. It didn’t come close for a descent photo but at least we saw it. Then we headed to a place right next to a vast vineyard where we wanted to see Greater Short-toed Lark. Yes we did. Two birds were siting right by the road. Along the road we ticked another Short-toed Eagle, Bee-eaters and a few Crested Larks. It was time to hit the road.

Olive tree Warbler
documentary shot of distant Olive tree Warbler
In an hour or so we stopped for another coffee and ice cream to ‘recharge our batteries’ and off we headed again to a gorgeous mountainous place. We wanted to try for a Pygmy Owl. We knew we don’t have great chances because of the wrong time of year. Moreover, it was the wrong time of the day – it was about 15.00 but we still wanted to try. While waiting we had lunch at a fabulous place in the middle of a lush meadow with lots of flowers and butterflies. 

lunch during a birdwatching and photography trip
lunch break

Unfortunately there was no owl but we did see and took a few photos of a Crested Tit. Crossbills and Marsh Tits also turned up. Along the way we saw a Ring Ouzel that was feeding its three chicks. We blocked the road for a while but you can’t help it with keen birders and photographers ;)

juv. Ring Ouzel copyright Iordan Hristov
juv. Ring Ouzel copyright Iordan Hristov
Crested Tit copyright Iordan Hristov
Crested Tit copyright Iordan Hristov
We left the area with the hope for another try for the Pygmy Owl. Next days were going to be in the right habitat so we shall keep trying.

Just before we arrive in our next hotel we stopped for a couple of minutes to enjoy the breeding Dippers and Grey Wagtails. The birds were fairly distant to photograph but still managed to take some photos.
Dipper photography Bulgaria copyright Iordan_Hristov
Dipper photography Bulgaria copyright Iordan_Hristov
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea photography Bulgaria Iordan Hristov
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea photography Bulgaria Iordan Hristov
We arrived in a nice guest house sitting on the top of a hill with a lovely view. After cleaning the van I enjoyed a lovely drink at the balcony of our guest house with a few Black Redstarts, Serins and Red-rumped Swallows. I think we can call it a day.

It seems that tomorrow will be an exciting day. We shall be sitting in a hide and wait for a Brown Bear. See what happens...

вторник, 27 май 2014 г.

Birdwatching and photography trip around Bulgaria and Greece: 24.05-2.06, day 4



Having the experience of yesterday, today we decided to start earlier and have a late breakfast. We set the alarms for 5.00 am to search for a Masked Shrike and Warblers. I knew a place at the South Western part of the lake so we drove for about half an hour to get there.

The Shrike we were after wasn’t there but we had a nice Lesser Grey Shrike and the first for the trip Grey-headed Woodpecker. We spent some time at the spot but had no results and decided to go to another place at the opposite corner of the lake. It was fairly quiet and we lost a lot of precious time but there was no way around it.

Once we arrived at our next destination birds started to turn up. Red-rumped Swallow was nesting in an old water catchment place and were often coming in and out. The first for the trip Sardinian Warbler turned up, then Subalpine Warbler, then Sombre Tit, then Eleonorae Falcon so finally species started to build up. We were already late for breakfast but that didn’t really matter that much. We had birds to see. On the way back to the car Alan shouted “Masked Shrike sitting on the wire”. It didn’t stay for long though. The highlight of this part of the day was another Bush Robin but only I managed to see it. We tried searching for it with no results. Turtle Doves, Black Headed Buntings and more Sardinian Warblers accompanied us on the way to the car.

After breakfast we decided to have some siesta and skip the hot part of the day. We gather couple of hours later for a light lunch with salad. At about 3 p.m. we left the hotel and headed again to the Western part of the reservoir where I was hoping that a track would give the wanted Eastern Orphean Warbler. 

When leaving the hotel, a Honey Buzzard made us stop right in front of it and then a Spoonbill was waiting for us at the improvised “car park” at the beginning of our trail. We put out sun hats and off we went along the track. We had a couple of Olivaceous Warblers, male Sub-alpine Warbler, a few Black-headed Buntings, Black Kite, Sombre Tit and many Nightingales. We found a lovely plant with huge purple flower. Will look it up so if someone knows it, please drop me a line.

plant ? by Iordan Histov
plant ? by Iordan Histov
 After this long walk we stopped at a small port where I expected to see some gulls and terns. Well there was one or two but there were more Squacco Herons. The highlight of the stop was a Purple Heron and the good opportunities for close up Squaccos. A young Great-spotted Woodpecker and some calling Penduling Tits closed up the day. We couldn’t get the Eastern Orphean Warbler, but we shall search for it tomorrow.

Squacco Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Squacco Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Squacco Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Squacco Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Squacco Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Squacco Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov

Squacco Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Squacco Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
 It would be more of a travelling day since we shall be changing the habitat. We head to the North East to a place where we shall be searching for the Wallcreeper. The highlight of the trip for some of the participants.

Birdwatching and photography trip around Bulgaria and Greece: 24.05-2.06, day 3



Today was the day of the waterbirds. We started at 6,30 and an hour later we were already watching our first Dalmatian Pelicans. We took a walk in the North Eastern site of the lake. Lovely Squacco Herons were nicely lit by the soft morning sunlight. Later on in the day we realized these birds were everywhere. Soon we had the first Night Herons and Little Egrets flying around. Other than them there were quite a few dragonflies and butterflies. We spent some time photographing the Night Herons in flight and carried on.

Night Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Night Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov

Little Egret photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Little Egret photography copyright Iordan Hristov

An interesting looking bird with a rufous tail cocked up 90 degrees landed on the side of the track where we were driving. My initial reaction was Nightingale but no, it was a Rufous-tailed Bush Robin. I haven’t seen one for ages. 
Rufous-tailed Bush Robin
documentary shot of Rufous-tailed Bush Robin
The early afternoon was fairly quiet. The heat chased the birds away but after some showers the second half was a bit more exciting. We took a boat trip into the lake and entered into the breeding colony of Cormorants, Night Herons, Spoonbills, Little Egrets and what not. Along the canals were sitting Dalmatian Pelicans that were calmly preening. Their White brothers were also around but didn’t let us to approach them. Glossy Ibises were moving in groups of 5-15 birds presenting superb opportunities. It was quite an experience to row around the birds so close without them being disturbed. Superb views of Night Herons. 

I will let the images talk but have in mind they are not post processed. Will do that later on perhaps after the field season.

Blue Chaser ? copyright Iordan Hristov
Blue Chaser ? copyright Iordan Hristov
bird photography
bird photography
bird photography
bird photography

Glossy Ibis photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Glossy Ibis photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Spoonbill photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Spoonbill photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Penduline Tit photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Penduline Tit photography copyright Iordan Hristov

Pygmy Cormorant photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Pygmy Cormorant photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Pygmy Cormorant photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Pygmy Cormorant photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Night Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Night Heron photography copyright Iordan Hristov


Little Egret photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Little Egret photography copyright Iordan Hristov

Spoonbill photography copyright Iordan Hristov
Spoonbill photography copyright Iordan Hristov