September 15 - 22 Mon - Mon
Group Size: 5
Starting Point: Sofia
Based: Sofia 1 night, Nessebar 2 nights, Durankulac 4 nights
Guides: David Kent and Pavel Simeonov
Walking: Easy
Description :
This exciting tour to the west coast of the Black Sea features one of the greatest movements of migratory birds in Europe.
Our tour catches bird passage at its height, when countless thousands of raptors, storks, pelicans, waders and small passerines ensure a day to day action-filled experience. We consistently record around 180 species. Lesser Spotted, Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Steppe, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, four harriers, Levant Sparrowhawk and Red-footed Falcon are among the large cast of appetising raptors - lots of opportunity to hone ID skills.
White and Black Storks, Dalmatian and White Pelicans also soar overhead, while Pygmy Cormorant, Great White Egret and other herons, Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis are some of the highlights of wetlands visited.
Waders feature Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Ruddy Shelduck and Ferruginous Duck are notable wildfowl, Isabelline Wheatear, Sombre Tit and Paddyfield Warbler are among small passerine. But the tour isn't just about birds. We shall also try to find mammals, of which Jackal, Marbled and Steppe Polecats, Romanian Hamster, Lesser Mole-rat and European Souslik are of particular interest.
Locational content ranges from cliff scenery along the Black Sea, through limestone steppes to mountain and alluvial forests. The temperature is warm and rainfall low.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Mon...Morning Rendezvous London Gatwick:
We fly to Sofia arriving mid afternoon and transfer to a high-level ski station base close to the city. Here we prime the tour with views of Nutcracker, Black Woodpecker, Black Redstart, Crested Tit and Red Squirrel.
Days 2 - 4 Tue & Wed:
Travelling by road to our next base in the ancient town of Nessebar we cross the Valley of the Roses and visit the mountain village of Koprivschtitza, where Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Grey Wagtail and Dipper are seen, Golden Eagle also being likely.
On approaching the Black Sea a Sombre Tit site is checked and a variety of waders are seen in the salinas (salt pans).
Lake Atanasovsko promises a phenomenal quantity of birds - too numerous to list - Ruddy Shelduck, Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Bearded and Penduline Tits - birds in every direction! Just about any European wader can turn up and raptor passage is spectacular. Lesser Spotted, Greater Spotted, and Short-toed Eagles, Steppe and Honey Buzzards, Levant Sparrowhawks and Red-footed Falcons are typical. Lake Vaya produces the main show of Dalmatian and White Pelicans, also marsh terns.
Ropotamo and the wooded mountains of Strandja present White-tailed and Imperial Eagles, Hobby, White-backed Woodpecker and Bluethroat.
Days 4 - 7 Thu - Sun:
Heading south to our next base overlooking Lake Durankulak we visit the alluvial forests of Kamchia, where Grey-headed and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers are of primary interest.
Lakes Durankulak and Shabla, two brackish wetlands, serve up Pygmy Cormorant, Purple Heron, Ferruginous Duck and Caspian Tern.
Cape Kaliakra is an area of steppe above lofty sea cliffs, from which Mediterranean Sheawater may be seen. Alpine Swifts wheel overhead, and Long-legged Buzzard, Roller, Calandra Lark, Tawny Pipit and Isabelline Wheatear show on the steppe - this is habitat of Romanian Hamster, European Souslik, Steppe and Marbled Polecats.
Day 8 Mon:
After a final session of birdwatching we head to Varna for the early afternoon flight to London Gatwick.
Cost: £1160...includes:
Seven nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; lunches days 2 - 7; all excursions plus transfers in Bulgaria.
Excludes:
Air travel; lunches days 1 & 8; tips; bar costs etc.
Deposit: £150
Single Room Supplement: £50
Flight cost from LGW to Sofia/Varna to LGW: circa £150.
See 'About Us' for statement about flights.