Birding Trip Reports
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Birding Trip Reports |
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Bulgaria (БъΛгария)
July 2004
This was a package holiday booked through Balkan Holidays, based at Albena, on the Black Sea coast north of Varna, on 9th-14th and 22nd July, and at Borovets, south of Sofia and on the edge of the Rila Mountains, on 15th-21st July.
Birding was mainly in and around these resorts, but a car was hired for two days on the coast, and on 14th a trip was taken north to Durankulak, visiting other sites, including Shabla and Kaliakra, on the way back; a tourist excursion to Balchik and Cape Kaliakra was undertaken on 11th. At Borovets, a tourist excursion was taken to Rila monastery on 14th and a taxi was taken to Malyovitsa on 20th, while Sofia was visited on 21st on the way back to Varna.
1. Mute Swan 2 on Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
2. Ruddy Shelduck 3 flying around Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
3. Common Shelduck 9 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
4. Mallard 2 at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
5. Shoveler 25 on Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
6. Common Pochard 3 at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
7. Ferruginous Duck 11 on Shabla Tuzla on 14th July before flying north.
8. Hazel Grouse 1 male flushed from a ski run between Yastrebets and Musala Chalet on Mt Musala on 16th July.
9. Common Quail 1 heard calling on Cape Kaliakra on 14th July.
10. Little Grebe 1 heard calling at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
11. Great Crested Grebe 1 on the sea off the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
12. Great Cormorant 6 off Albena on 12th July, a flock of 28 flying south there on 13th, one offshore on 14th and 25 feeding offshore on 22nd; 1 at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
13. Shag 10 off Cape Kaliakra on 11th July.
14. Pygmy Cormorant 2 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
15. Grey Heron 6 at the north end of Lake Durankulak and 6 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
16. Little Bittern 1 at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
17. White Stork 1 inland from Balchik on 13th July; one the south end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July; 2 west of Samokov, 30 in a colony in Kocherinovo, west of Rila, and 2 on a nest at Saparevo Banya, west of Samokov, on 17th July; 6 in fields north of Samokov on 21st July.
18. Marsh Harrier 4 at Lake Durankulak, 3 at the north end and one at the south end, on 14th July.
19. Sparrowhawk 1 flying over Albena at dusk on 12th July.
20. Common Buzzard 1 inland from Albena on 9th July; 2 on the ridge beside the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July; 3 over Borovets on 15th July; 2 west of Samokov and 2 between Dupnista and Blagoevgrad on 17th July.
21. Lesser Spotted Eagle 1 over the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July.
22. Booted Eagle 1 over the lower chalet on Mt Musala on 16th July.
23. Common Kestrel 1 over Kranevo, south of Albena, on 12th July and 1 at the top of the valley at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
24. Water Rail 1 heard at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
25. Moorhen 1-2 on pools around the edge of the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 11th-13th July; 1 heard at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July; 1 with young chicks at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
26. Common Coot 1 heard at the north end of Lake Durankulak and 1 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
27. Black-winged Stilt 25 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
28. Collared Pratincole 3 flying over Shabla Tuzla and 1 feeding on the road between Cape Shabla and Tyulenovo on 14th July.
29. Little Ringed Plover 2 along the beach between Albena and Kranevo on 12th July; 11 on the beach at the north end of Lake Durankulak and 8 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
30. Ruff 30 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
31. Black-tailed Godwit 15 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
32. Marsh Sandpiper 8 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
33. Common Greenshank 1 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
34. Green Sandpiper 1 flying over at the south end of Albena on 14th July.
35. Wood Sandpiper 2 at the north end of Lake Durankulak and 30 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
36. Common Sandpiper 2 along the beach between Albena and Kranevo on 12th July; 3 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
37. Mediterranean Gull 57 flying south in 3 flocks off Albena on 9th July, with 4 there on 10th and singles on 12th and 22nd; 4 at Cape Kaliakra and 1 at Balchik on 11th July.
38. Black-headed Gull slow but steady passage south past Albena in flocks of up to 20 on 9th-14th and 22nd July; also recorded at Lake Durankulak and Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
39. Yellow-legged Gull daily in small numbers at Albena on 9th-14th and 22nd July and also common along the coast and up to several kilometres inland (usually flying over).
40. Sandwich Tern 20 off Balchik on 11th July; counts of 37, 72 and 26 flying south past Albena in flocks of up 20 on 12th-14th July.
41. Common Tern 8 offshore at the north end of Lake Durankulak, 20 at Shabla Tuzla and 6 south off Albena on 14th July.
42. Little Tern 6 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
43. White-winged Black Tern 2 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
44. Feral Pigeon flocks were seen at Varna, Albena, Cape Kaliakra, Sofia, Blagoevgrad and elsewhere, but none contained very pure birds.
45. Wood Pigeon 2 in the upper part of Albena on 10th July and 4 around the Baltata Forest there on 22nd July; 1-2 around the village at Borovets on 15th-21st July.
46. Collared Dove common in towns such as Balchik, Kavarna, Shabla etc, but just 1 in Albena, on 22nd July.
47. Turtle Dove 1 heard at the southern edge of Baltata Forest, Albena, on 12th July; at least 6 around Durankulak and Shabla on 14th July.
48. Common Cuckoo 1 at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
49. Common Swift 50 over Balchik and 30 at Cape Kaliakra on 11th July; 10 over the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July; 10 over the north end of Lake Durankulak and 5 over Cape Kaliakra on 14th July; a few over Sofia on 21st July.
50. Pallid Swift up to 40 over Borovets on 15th-21st July; 60 at the Rila Monastary on 17th July; 10 at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
51. Alpine Swift 30 over Balchik, 10 at Cape Kaliakra and 1 over Albena on 11th July; 1 over Pancharevo on 15th July; 2 over Sofia on 21st July.
52. European Bee-eater heard over the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July; 1 at Shabla Tuzla, 4 at Cape Shabla and 2 at Cape Kaliakra on 14th July.
53. Roller 1 at Cape Kaliakra on 11th July.
54. Hoopoe 1 between Albena and Kranevo on 12th July; 4 on the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte and 1 inland of Balchik on 13th July; 2 at the north end of lake Durankulak, 2 at Shabla Tuzla and 1 at Cape Shabla on 14th July.
55. Green Woodpecker up to 4 per day seen, and others heard, mainly around Baltata Forest at Albena, on 9th-14th and 22nd July; 1 in the botanical gardens at Balchik on 11th July; 1 heard at Shabla on 14th July.
56. Great Spotted Woodpecker singles at Borovets on 15th, 17th, 18th and 19th July, mainly around the village; 1 west of Rila Monastery on 17th July.
57. Syrian Woodpecker singles in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 11th and 22nd July and 2 there on 12th; 1 in the botanical gardens at Balchik on 11th July; 2 in the small wood at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
58. Middle Spotted Woodpecker 1 in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 12th and 2 there on 22nd, and heard on other occasions.
59. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 1 female in the botanical gardens at Balchik on 11th July.
60. Calandra Lark 4 in fields between Cape Shabla and Cape Kaliakra and 25 on Cape Kaliakra, including a flock of 18, on 14th July.
61. Crested Lark singles on Cape Kaliakra on 11th July, on the beach at the south end of Albena on 12th July and near Rusalka on 14th July.
62. Woodlark 1 on the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July.
63. Skylark 20 on the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte and others in fields inland from Balchik on 13th July; several in fields around Durankulak and Shabla on 14th July.
64. Sand Martin thousands over Lake Durankulak, especially over the northern end, and hundreds over Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
65. Crag Martin up to 4 at Borovets on 15th-21st July; 4 at Rila Monastery on 17th July; 4 at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
66. Swallow abundant along the coast at Albena, Durankulak etc. on 9th-14th and 22nd July; common inland in and around Borovets on 15th-21st July.
67. Red-rumped Swallow 2 at Balchik on 11th July; 2 at Beli Iskâr, west of Borovets, on 20th July.
68. House Martin common along the coast at Albena, Durankulak etc. on 9th-14th and 22nd July and also inland in and around Borovets on 15th-21st July.
69. Tawny Pipit 1 on the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July.
70. Water Pipit 1 by the lower chalet on Mt Musala on 16th July.
71. Black-headed Wagtail 10 at the north end of Lake Durankulak, 15 at Shabla Tuzla and 2 at Cape Kaliakra on 14th July.
72. Grey Wagtail 2 at Borovets on 15th July; 2 at Rila Monastery on 17th July; 2 along the stream on the descent from Yastrebets to Borovets on 18th July; 1 at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
73. White Wagtail up to 6 daily at Albena on 9th-14th July and 22nd July, and a few elsewhere along the coast on 14th; up to 6 at Borovets on 15th-21st July; 1 at the lower chalet on Mt Musala on 16th July; 4 at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
74. Dipper 1 on the stream at Borovets on 19th July.
75. Wren fairly common at Borovets up to the edge of the forest at ? m, probably commoner at the higher altitudes, on 15th-21st July.
76. Dunnock common at Borovets, especially from the upper forest and in the pine scrub, up to at least ? m on Mt Musala, on 15th-21st July; a few at Malyovitsa, in similar habitat, on 20th July.
77. Alpine Accentor 8 (2 family parties) in stony areas just above the lower chalet on Mt Musala on 16th July.
78. Robin 1-2 heard or occasionally seen in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 15th, 17th and 22nd July; fairly common at Borovets, mainly in the upper forest and in the denser, lower pine scrub, on 15th-21st July; a few at Malyovitsa, in similar habitat, on 20th July.
79. Thrush Nightingale 3 at dusk along the eastern edge of the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 12th July.
80. Common Nightingale 1 in scrub beside Albena bus station on 10th July.
81. Black Redstart 1 female at the Albena bus station on 10th and 12th July; 8 (2 family parties) at Borovets on 14th July (but just odd singles on other dates to 21st); common from Yastrebets upwards on Mt Musala, in the pine scrub area and just above, on 16th July; 1 at Yastrebets on 18th July; 6 at Malyovitsa, on the upper edges of the pine scrub above the chalet, on 20th July.
82. Stonechat 1 at the south end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
83. Northern Wheatear 1 male on the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July.
84. Pied Wheatear 4 at Cape Kaliakra on 11th July, a female feeding young in a cave near the tip and 3 males around the car park, and at least 15 there on 14th July, mainly south of the small valley to the north, but with a few on the edge of the village of Bâlgarevo.
85. Black-eared Wheatear 3 between Cape Shabla and Cape Kaliakra on 14th July.
86. Ring Ouzel 12 around the lower chalet on Mt Musala on 16th July; 3 between Yastrebets and Borovets on 18th July, including one in the woods just above the village; a female outside the Samokov Hotel, Borovets, on 19th July; 2 above the chalet at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
87. Blackbird common in and around Baltata Forest, Albena, on 9th-14th and 22nd July; also recorded in the botanical gardens at Balchik on 11th July; a few, mainly around the village, at Borovets on 15th-21st July.
88. Song Thrush singles in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 12th and 14th July and a few probably heard on 22nd July; up to 6 around the village at Borovets on 15th-21st July.
89. Mistle Thrush 4 around Beli Iskâr, west of Borovets, on 20th July.
90. Savi’s Warbler 2 seen and others heard at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
91. Paddyfield Warbler at least 25 at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
92. Reed Warbler 6 seen and others heard at the north end of Lake Durankulak and 1 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
93. Great Reed Warbler 1 in a small marsh between Kranevo and Albena on 12th July; 8 seen and others heard at the north end of Lake Durankulak, 3 at the south end of the lake and 6 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
94. Garden Warbler 1 heard in song in a small clearing near the village at Borovets on 15th July.
95. Blackcap 3-4 heard in song and 1 male seen in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 9th-12th July; 1 male heard in song at the botanical gardens at Balchik on 11th July; 1-2 in song and 1 female seen around the village at Borovets on 15th-17th July.
96. Chiffchaff fairly common from the edge of the forest and into the pine scrub between Borovets and Yastrebets on 18th July; a few at Malyovitsa, in similar habitat, on 20th July.
97. Goldcrest common in pine forests around Borovets on 15th-21st July; also at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
98. Firecrest 2 at Borovets on 17th July (possibly heard on other days).
99. Spotted Flycatcher up to 4 in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 10th-12th July.
100. Bearded Tit about 30 at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
101. Willow Tit 1 on the edge of the forest zone, between Borovets and Yastrebets, on 18th July; 1 in similar habitat at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
102. Coal Tit common in forests around Borovets on 15th-21st July; also common at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
103. Blue Tit 4 in the botanic gardens at Balchik on 11th July; 6 in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 12th July and 2 there on 22nd; 1 west of the Rila monastery on 17th July.
104. Great Tit common in Albena, especially in the Baltata Forest, on 9th-14th and 22nd July; less common in the pine forests around Borovets on 15th-21st July; also recorded at Rila monastery on 17th and Malyovitsa on 20th July.
105. Nuthatch singles heard in Sofia, near Aleksandar Nevski church, on 21st July, and in Albena on 22nd July.
106. Wallcreeper a pair feeding young in a nest in a building at the chalet at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
107. Common Treecreeper common, with up to 4 seen per day and others heard, in the pine forests at Borovets on 15th-21st July; 2 seen and others heard at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
108. Short-toed Treecreeper 2 in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 10th July and 1 there on 22nd.
109. Golden Oriole up to 6 seen and others heard in and round Baltata Forest, Albena, on 9th-14th and 22nd July; 3 at the north end of Lake Durankulak, 2 at Shabla Tuzla and 2 at Rusalka on 14th July; 1 heard in Blagoevgrad on 17th July.
110. Red-backed Shrike 1 male regularly at the south end of Albena on 9th-14th July; 8 between Albena and Kranevo on 12th July; 6 on the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July; 1 at the north end of Durankulak and 4 at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July; 4 (family party) at Borovets on 16th-19th July; 2 from the road along the valley between Dupnista and Blagoevgrad on 17th July.
111. Lesser Grey Shrike 1 at Cape Kaliakra on 11th July; 4 (family party) at the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July; 4 (family party) at Shabla Tuzla, 4 at Cape Shabla and 6 at Cape Kaliakra on 14th July.
112. Jay up to 3 in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 10th-13th and 22nd July; 1 in woods south of Durankulak and 6 in the woods on the ridge north of Obrochishte on 14th July; 1 west of Rila monastery on 17th July; 1 at Borovets on 19th July.
113. Magpie common in agricultural areas and towns along the coast from Albena to Durankulak on 11th-14th July and also in Sofia on 15th and 22nd July.
114. Nutcracker 2 seen and about 10 heard in the upper pine forests between Borovets and Yastrebets on 18th July; 1 seen and 2 heard at Borovets on 19th July; 6 in fields along the road between Borovets and Beli Iskâr, 3 seen and 3 heard at Malyovitsa and 2 in a field at between Malyovitsa and Beli Iskâr on 20th July.
115. Hooded Crow up to 6 at Albena on 9th-14th and 22nd July; 3 at Borovets on 16th-17th July.
116. Raven 2 over Pancharevo on 15th July; heard over the lower slopes of Mt Musala on 18th July; heard at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
117. Common Starling common in flocks of up to 200 in agricultural areas from Albena to Durankulak on 10th-14th July; also recorded in Sofia on 15th and 22nd July and the Shuma Valley on 17th July.
118. Rose-coloured Starling 70 adults in two flocks at Cape Shabla on 14th July.
119. House Sparrow common at Albena and in agricultural areas and towns along the coast to Durankulak on 9th-14th and 22nd July; up to 3 at Borovets on 15th-21st July; also recorded in other areas including Blagoevgrad on 17th and Sofia on 22nd July.
120. Spanish Sparrow 2 males at Shabla Tuzla on 14th July.
121. Tree Sparrow singles at Kavarna on 11th July, Albena on 13th July and Blagoevgrad on 17th July and 4 at Albena on 22nd July.
122. Chaffinch common in and around Baltata Forest, Albena, on 9th-14th and 22nd July (singing birds with ‘kik’ at end of song); common in pine forests around Borovets on 15th-21st July (singing birds without ‘kik’ at end of song); also recorded at Rila on 17th July and Malyovitsa on 20th July (where birds did have a ‘kik’ at the end of the song).
123. Serin up to 20 around the village at Borovets on 15th-21st July.
124. Greenfinch a few around Albena or other sites along the coast on 9th-14th and 22nd July.
125. Goldfinch fairly common at Albena or other sites along the coast on 9th-14th and 22nd July; a few around the village at Borovets on 15th-21st July; also recorded at Blagoevgrad on 17th July.
126. Linnet 2 at Cape Kaliakra on 11th July; 2 at Rusalka on 14th July; 8 in the pine scrub between Yastrebets and the lower chalet on Mt Musala on 16th July and 2 in the same area on 18th July; 10 at Malyovitsa on 20th July.
127. Common Crossbill 12 in the pine scrub between Yastrebets and the lower chalet on Mt Musala on 16th July and 4 in the same area on 18th July.
128. Bullfinch fairly common in the pine forests around Borovets, even into the pine scrub zone on the slopes of Mt Musala, on 15th-21st July.
129. Hawfinch up to 4 per day in and around the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 9th-12th and 22nd July.
130. Yellowhammer 1 male heard in song near the entrance to Albena on 10th July; 1 female carrying food on the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July.
131. Reed Bunting 6 at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July.
132. Black-headed Bunting 1 female/juvenile at Cape Kaliakra on 14th July.
133. Corn Bunting 4 on the abandoned airfield north of Obrochishte on 13th July; 4 at Cape Kaliakra on 14th July.
Mammals
In addition, small rodent-like creatures were seen at the north end of Lake Durankulak on 14th July and a very small bat was seen in the Baltata Forest, Albena, on 22nd July.
(C) Mike Pennington 2006