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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.