Bulgaria

31st May – 8th June 2008

Report of a Speyside Wildlife tour to Bulgaria

Leaders
Roy Atkins, Speyside Wildlife
Attila Steiner, Ecotours

Guests
Alan Lazell
Joanna Fort
Sue Cable
Di Emery
Mike Wheeler
Liz and Keith Barton

Day 1
We meet up at Gatwick Airport where our flight is a little late taking off but otherwise everything is fine and we are welcomed to Bulgaria by Attila, our guide, and Zoltan, our driver, at the airport in Varna.  Soon we are on our way to the hotel, a drive of around an hour and a half though sadly most is in the dark.  We are made very welcome by the owners upon our arrival and enjoy a meal before heading to bed.  Breakfast tomorrow is at a relaxed 8am but most of us are keen to enjoy some pre-breakfast birding from the balcony looking out to Durankulak Lake.

Day 2
The first of us are on the balcony at around 7am scanning the surrounding farmland and the lake for birds.  The weather is beautiful with sunshine and a lovely temperature and at least three Cuckoos are calling constantly, the sky is full of the song of Skylark and Calandra Larks and Spanish Sparrows are chirping from a rather scrubby meadow.  House Martins are swooping in to their nests above our heads and I guess they need to watch out as we soon find a Hobby perched on the top of a dead tree a little way off.  We can hear Golden Orioles calling and find a Hawfinch right in the tree tops.  Turtle Doves fly past and a stunning male Black-headed Bunting starts singing from the fence at the edge of the field.  Everyone is enjoying great scope views when a male Red-backed Shrike flies in and perches beside it!  A Hoopoe flies across the field, a Whitethroat sings from the hedge, a Stonechat perches on the wire and in the background Keith finds a Little Owl.  A Marsh Harrier flies across, we get a brief view of a Lesser Grey Shrike, a Black-headed Wagtail lands in the field and several Bee-eaters are flying around over the distant trees.  What a fantastic start - it is really hard to drag ourselves away for breakfast and even as we come down the stairs we spot a Honey Buzzard circling over the fields!  And all this before breakfast!
While we are eating our driver comes in looking very serious... we have a flat tyre… but more serious, he can't get the wheel off to change it!!  Today is Sunday so there is some concern that we won't be able to get it fixed and there is lengthy discussion about what is best to do.  In the end we find a place that will open for us and with some air pumped in the tyre we are dropped at a nearby wetland where we go for a walk while Pavlo, the hotel owner, goes to help get the tyre sorted out. 
Our walk takes us down beside the tall reeds at the edge of a lake and it is simply delightful!  There are flowers everywhere and butterflies flitting down the path ahead of us and a blue sky overhead with a light breeze.  Within moments of arriving we get exceptional views of both Great Reed Warbler and Savi's Warbler both perched right out in the open then a Cuckoo flies past very close and perches on the wires.  A Lesser Grey Shrike shows very well, hunting from the fence posts and there are Bee-eaters hawking for insects above our heads.  A Purple Heron flies past over the reeds followed by a hunting Marsh Harrier.  We find a European Pond Terrapin on the path and a large black Field Cricket.  The Marsh Harrier has caught something and the female comes up from the nest in the reeds and there is a very quick food pass!  A Roller appears flying past us and landing briefly on the wires before flying back past us again and over the next fifteen minutes we get several good flight views and some good scope views of it perched too.  The butterflies include lots of Common Blues and Meadow Browns, Silver-washed and another species of Fritillary and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth that uncharacteristically lands on the path!  We have several chances to see a Ferruginous Duck that flies past and we get more flight views of Purple Heron.  A flock of Rose-coloured Starlings flies through and we glimpse a Golden Oriole in flight too.  We get great views of a couple of Hobbies hunting dragonflies and in the distance an Isabelline Wheatear perches on some rocks where a couple of Hoopoes are flitting around.  It feels like we have died and gone to heaven it is so incredibly enjoyable, so many birds, butterflies and flowers and all in perfect weather!  Next Attila spots a Paddyfield Warbler perched right out in the tops of some reeds and we spend some time watching this bird and a second that appears nearby, even getting excellent scope views of this difficult species so we can point out all the identification features as it flits from stem to stem – it really is quite distinctive!  This is a real target species as they do not breed any further west than this.  We get great views of Tawny Pipit and spot our first mammal of the trip, the delightful little European Souslik which is rather reminiscent of a small ground squirrel.  Finally we spot a yellow van heading our way along the track, tyre mended in perfect time.  What a wonderful start to the holiday it has been.
Our next stop is a more open lake not far away and we scan the muddy edges and open water to see what we can find.  The heat haze is quite bad but nearby there lots of Black-winged Stilts and Avocets feeding in the shallow water.  Most of the birds are on the far side where two Spoonbills are feeding, at least four Whiskered Terns are dipping to the water and a Common Tern is perched on a stump but there is too much heat haze to identify the waders.  There are a few Mallards and Shelduck, Lapwings and a Great Reed Warbler singing in the foreground.  We walk out through the dunes to scan the sea.  There are a few Cormorants passing and occasional flocks of Sandwich Terns plus a single Little Tern and Yellow-legged Gulls are frequent.  Bizarrely a Ferruginous Duck flies past.
From here we drive further along the coast though agricultural land and beautiful steppe grassland that is awash with colourful flowers.  There are the nodding heads of Musk Thistle, Yellow Yarrow, a host of vetches, pink flowers of Field Bindweed, Blue Flax, various species of mullein, poppies and all kinds of species we cannot identify as we drive along.  We get fantastic views of a Stone Curlew right beside the road and occasional flocks of Rose-coloured Starling fly past.  We take a dirt track out to the cliff tops driving slowly and making frequent stops to look at birds.  We get brilliant close up views of Calandra Lark and follow a Hoopoe down the track that doesn't seem too bothered about us being there and lets us get very close.  We watch a flock of Rose-coloured Starlings land in a tree and jump out to scope them.  They fly before we get set up but while out of the van we find our first Pied Wheatear, a rather drab looking female however once on the cliff-top Alan finds a superb male, a really stunning bird.  It keeps returning to the same spot and we get great views of it while we eat lunch. 
The sandstone cliffs here are very impressive and we scan the sea while we eat in the hope of shearwaters.  Yellow-legged Gulls pass by in small numbers plus a couple of Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls but the shearwaters are conspicuous by their absence perhaps because the weather is too calm.  There are few Cormorants out there and Alan spots a small group of Harbour Porpoise.  The flowers here really are astonishing and although we manage to identify a few, such as a foxglove called Digitalis lanata, we just have to enjoy the others without knowing their names.  It is as if someone has planting a beautiful rock garden!  We get good views of a Hobby as we are about to leave then as we drive back towards the main road we stop to look at a close Short-toed Lark.  A large flock of Rose-coloured Starlings flies in and lands in one of the bushes allowing us our first chance to see them through the scopes... and they really are beautiful.
We drive round to the headland at Kaliakra where we are a little shocked to find lots of tourists!  We walk out towards the point feeling amusingly out of place amongst these smartly dressed people some of whom seem to be well aware of the latest fashions but completely oblivious to the superb male Pied Wheatear and Black-headed Bunting singing from the bushes beside the path.  We also get brilliant views of an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler singing in the bushes.  There are several Alpine Swifts with the common swift and at times they are flying past just off the cliff and at eye level allowing us brilliant views.  What fabulous birds they are!  Below us on the rocks are a small group of Shags of the Mediterranean race though they don't really look much different - perhaps a little longer billed.  Looking out to sea we spot an Osprey flying towards us being harassed by gulls but more shocking is the dark mass of cloud and rain behind it that seems to be coming our way!  We walk briskly back to the van getting a little wet just as we arrive but as we drive back towards Lake Shabla we can't believe how much water in on the roads!  There are some huge puddles right across the road in places so perhaps we were luckier than we realised.
Back at the lake we find that after the rain there is no heat haze and we are now able to identify the small waders on the far side of the lake.  We find both Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers, then using a Dunlin as our starting point with which to compare the other waders we identify Little and Temminck's Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper and even more pleasing a Terek Sandpiper though it is frustratingly elusive, disappearing behind the reeds for long periods. There is a nice male Garganey, a Little Tern, Moorhens, Reed Bunting, two Little Egrets, a Spoonbill and even a Blackbird flies by!  We also get great views of Red rumped Swallows as they feed above the reeds right in front of us.
We head back for our evening meal but don’t have lots of spare time as we are heading out again this evening in search of Eagle Owl.  The place is a gorge with a large reedbed at the bottom and we can walk along one side scanning the reed edge hoping for crakes but no luck.  There are, however, hundreds of starlings coming in to roost in the reeds and as time goes by more and more Rose-coloured Starlings start to appear.  It is a wonderful sight but we are suddenly very distracted by the sight of a huge Eagle Owl flying along the skyline!  Fantastic!  It is still quite light and when it lands we can see every detail, the streaking on its chest and the staring orange eyes as it looks round... what a great bird this is!  We watch it for ages before becoming distracted once more by the incredible numbers of Rose-coloured Starlings building up.  At one point the rocks and grassy slope on the far side is completely covered in hundreds of these delightful birds in a pink and black mass which looks incredible through the scope.  Delighted with our evening we walk back towards the van only to get a second Eagle Owl fly in and perch opposite us.  The first bird then flies in to join it and we finish the day with incredible silhouetted views of Eagle Owl on the skyline.  Driving back an Eastern Hedgehog walks across the road in front of the van.  If we had got out and turned it over we would have seen the pale throat patch but since you don’t get any other species here we just enjoy it from the van and leave it in peace.

Day 3
We meet for breakfast at 7am and are soon on our way.  We have a long way to go but Attila thinks we should check the lake before we head south so we follow a track round through the fields and down to the edge of the lake.  There are hundreds of larks in the field and we get good view of Tawny Pipit and Bee-eater.  It is quite windy and the lake is very choppy making the Sand Martin keep low over the water.  A Hobby flies through and a Cuckoo crosses the lake making hard work of the wind.  All is going well until we reach a short but steep slope and the wheels start to spin!  We roll back and try again but we simply can't get up the track with the wheels spinning on the wet grass.  We try pushing it and putting towels under the tyres but all to no avail and in the end the only way we manage is by unhooking the trailer and letting Zoltan have a real run at the slope.  The wheels spin like mad, smoking as they burn the grass but he finally makes it over the lip at the top of the slope leaving us to drag the trailer up the slope and hook it back on, and soon we are on our way again.
Moments later two Little Bitterns fly up out of he reeds and we get brilliant flights views as they fly along parallel with the van.  A White Stork flies past low and we see another Hobby mobbing a Marsh Harrier.  We then arrive at a stand of trees where we stop and find a gorgeous male Red-footed Falcon.  Attila tells us that this is a nesting site and we are thrilled to get excellent flight and perched views of this wonderful looking bird before it finally heads off to hunt.  While here we also get great flight views of several Purple Herons and three Squacco Herons, more Marsh Harriers and Lesser Grey Shrike.  A flock of Bee-eaters pass overhead and get a few Sandwich Terns fly over.  We see Ferruginous Duck and Great Reed Warbler before driving round to view the sea.  From here we spot lots of Sandwich Terns which are also attracting the odd Arctic Skua and we see about ten altogether including a group of three that are harassing a single Sandwich Tern... it hasn't a chance and eventually gives up its meal which the skuas chase down to the water.  We also get two birds that fly right over our heads and Di brilliantly spots two Black-throated Divers.
As we drive back out to the main road we get good views of a couple of Crested Larks, several Bee-eaters and a couple of Golden Orioles flit across the road ahead of the van.  Shortly we make a toilet stop where Mike and Keith find Tree Sparrow and Joanna spots a Linnet then we are on our way south. 
For some time we are driving through agricultural land with scattered areas of forest and trees and don't see many birds other than Corn Buntings on the wires and the occasional Bee-eater or Black-headed Bunting.  A Lesser Spotted Eagle circling over the trees beside the road is a good find but can't stop which is a shame.
We stop for lunch beside a fast flowing, rather dirty looking river and soon realise that there are dozens of Banded Demoiselles here.  They look great flitting around the bank-side vegetation.  Roy spots a White-tailed Eagle circling overhead and we get fantastic views of this very pale headed bird as it soars round above us and slowly drifts away.  We see Common Buzzards here, White Wagtail, Tree Sparrow and Jay and a Honey Buzzard shoots through too quickly for most people to get on it.  Next we drive a little way down the road and go for a short walk into the trees.  We get good views of a singing Nightingale and find Greenfinch, Blackcap, and get brief views of a Hawfinch but despite hearing Semi-collared Flycatcher and Icterine Warbler we fail to find the birds.  The Chaffinches are, of course easy to see and get good views of Great Spotted Woodpecker.
We try another spot further down the road, driving slowly down a dirt track from which we spot several Woodlarks right beside us.  We find a Tawny Pipit and get good views of Bee-eaters then as we walk into the trees spot a Balkan Wall Lizard beside the path.  Again we hear a calling Semi-collared Flycatcher and can't find the bird which is a little frustrating, especially for those for whom this is a new bird!  We do get good views of young Hawfinch however and even closer views of some enormous mosquitoes!
Again we drive on and decide to try one last spot.  Here the woodland is more open and as soon as we start walking in we start finding birds!  There are families of Blue Tits and Great Tits and then there seem to be Nuthatches everywhere!  We find a Green Woodpecker that shows very well and Di finds an Ortolan Bunting in what really doesn't seem like the right habitat at all!  A female Semi-collared Flycatcher appears high in the trees with at least one young bird and a lucky few also glimpse a male.  We find Short-toed Treecreeper and both Great Spotted and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, a good opportunity to compare them. 
Our final stop before we reach our hotel is to scan some salt pans beside the road where there are lots of Avocets and Black-winged Stilts.  We are hoping there will be more waders here but sadly it is otherwise very quiet.  We finally arrive at the hotel which is very nice and settle in before enjoying our evening meal served by a waitress in perhaps the shortest skirt possible and get an early night.

Day 4
Today we are spending the whole day wound Burgas Lakes and we just have a short drive after breakfast to our first destination.  We park up and our initial thoughts, that there is a huge empty Lake in front of us, are soon proved very wrong!  Pelicans!!  First of all we find a nice little group of them with Cormorants on some kind of concrete structure out from the shore.  They are a mix of mainly White Pelicans but with at least two Dalmatian Pelicans in with them.  Then scanning round the lake we spot more including a large group of White Pelicans tightly packed on another piece of concrete and several Dalmatian Pelicans scattered around the rest of the lake.  The Whites looking more contrasting with their white plumage and black wing tips, especially noticeable when we watch them flying.  The Dalmatians look rather grey and have a little peaked crest and grey wing-tips in flight.  We are then delighted when a Little Bittern flies past right in front of us and it soon becomes apparent that this bird is feeding young as it flies back and forth at regular intervals.  Alan is quick to realise the chance for a photo and manages to catch a superb picture of it!  We also see a Black-crowned Night-Heron fly past.  Out on the lake we check through a flock of mixed ducks in the shallow bay and find Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall and Garganey.  There are lots of Great Crested Grebes including some displaying and a few Whiskered Terns picking insects off the water surface while Common Terns feed further out over the lake.
En route to Mandra Lake we can’t help commenting on some of the crazy adverts that are along the main road!  It seems you can sell anything with a scantily clad girl and the one who is apparently selling water melons is certainly interesting.  Another is stood in a cup of coffee but the young lady licking the barrel of her rifle really has us guessing!  Arriving at the lake we look down into a bay where we are delighted to find a Ruddy Shelduck amongst the Common Shelduck here plus lots of Avocets and Black-winged Stilts, Yellow-legged Gulls and a very close Marsh Harrier.  We drive round to the next bay where there is a large reedy fringe where a very smart Purple Heron is skulking.  A Dabchick appears just off the reeds plus Moorhens, Coots and Gadwall.  We see another Marsh Harrier and out in the lake, on a small branch poking out of the water, there are is a Cormorant and two Pygmy Cormorants.  The size difference is amazing with the Pygmy Cormorants looking absolutely tiny beside the Great Cormorant!  A Lesser Spotted Eagle appears over the trees and comes circling almost over our heads - you couldn’t wish for a better view.  There are a few Common Terns fishing in the bay and they are joined by a Black Tern and two Little Gulls.  There are a couple of Little Egrets, another Purple Heron flies through and we get good views of Lesser Grey Shrike and Black-headed Bunting.  A little further down the road we make another stop and get excellent views of a Nightingale singing from a dead tree... it stays right out in the open for some time which is surprising for this usually skulking species.  We find another Dabchick and watch a White-tailed Eagle fly across.  Some people glimpse a Golden Oriole which actually chases off the Nightingale!  We get our best views of Whiskered Tern so far and also add a couple of butterflies to the list - Great Banded Grayling and Black-veined White.  There is quite a cacophony of Marsh Frogs calling and we suddenly realise that they are all amongst the weed floating at the edge of the lake and we can actually see dozens of them.  They look great with their bright green faces and bulging eyes.
The weather is perfect with sunshine and scattered clouds and a very nice temperature as we continue on our way making a brief stop in a small village where there is a White Storks nest beside the road.  We can’t resist taking lots of photos and realise that there are also lots of Spanish Sparrows nesting in the base of the storks nest.  The Stork starts displaying to another bird somewhere nearby which you can hear replying and it is really is a treat to see it so well.  It is a lovely village and the surrounding countryside is very pleasant indeed with scattered woodlands and hedges amongst rather low intensity farmland and occasional orchards. 
Further on we make a brief stop and walk back to look at the river.  There are a few Turtle Doves, Corn Buntings and Black-headed Buntings on the wires and on some bare twigs in the river we get great views of a Great Reed Warbler.  There are more Marsh Frogs here and a European Pond Terrapin, more Black-veined Whites and other butterflies and as we walk back to the van a Black-headed Wagtail flies in and lands briefly in the field before flying off again. 
We make a lunch stop amongst a nice patch of scrub just off the road and it is just alive with butterflies.  Most are Meadow Browns but there are Common Blues, Brown Argus, Red Admiral, a couple of unidentified Fritillaries, Black-veined Whites and several Great Banded Graylings.  Black-headed Buntings are singing all the time we are there and are often visible on the wires but we also see Woodchat Shrike and a nice Ortolan Bunting as well as getting very good views of both Lesser Spotted Eagle and White-tailed Eagle.  Driving back the way we came we make a brief stop to look at a much closer Pygmy Cormorant.
We arrive at Poda Lagoons and make a visit to the visitor centre.  From the balcony upstairs we look out across the extensive reedbeds and enjoy the sight of hundreds of Cormorants nesting on the pylons, covering them with their bulky nests.  We then walk down the track through the reserve finding dozens of Black-tailed Skimmers along the way.  Most are females or teneral males but there some males with the full blue colour as well.  From the hide we don’t find anything different but walking back we identify more dragonflies brilliantly coloured Red-veined Darters, Lesser Emperor Dragonfly an a Norfolk Hawker which hovers at eye level just a few feet away while we take notes so we can identify it later!  Back at the centre a beautiful Balkan Green Lizard dashes across the car park and we see it very well as it scurries along the path beside the building.
We drive on and make a short stop to admire a Lesser Spotted Eagle that Attila spots in the grass near the road.  We get fabulous views as it tears something up that it has caught and eats it lifting its head ever few moments to look around.
We next stop at a bridge where we immediately spot a couple of Collared Pratincoles which fly off high.  There are lots of House and Sand Martins here coming down to the ground nearby and on the dam is a Little Ringed Plover. There is a big flock of Black and Whiskered Terns feeding out over the water and we find another couple of Collared Pratincoles in with them and two very distant Black-necked Grebes. 
We move on to some saltpans where we have hardly got out of the van when we hear a calling Penduline Tit and soon Mike spots it in the reeds.  We get fabulous views as it perches right out in full view!  There is then great excitement as a Wood Pigeon flies over - our first for the trip!  On the salt pans is a nice flock of Black-tailed Godwits plus lots of Avocets and Black-winged Stilts and in the distance a flock of Spoonbills.  There are a couple of Kentish Plovers and on a narrow strip of land between two lagoons there is a long line of Mediterranean Gulls including some very smart adults.  There are a few Black-headed Gulls amongst them plus Common, Sandwich and Whiskered Terns and several Little Terns are flying back and forth with fish.  Back at the van a Cetti's warbler sings.   
Driving on to our final destination for the day we spot several Bee-eaters on the wires and bushes, get great views of some Crested Larks, Wheatears and a Roller on the wires.
Scanning the lake we are astonished to find a huge flock of pelicans that must be at least 400 birds!  They look fantastic through the scope but there are also a couple of other biggish flocks of Dalmatian Pelicans with at least 80 birds in total!  There are also a few Spoonbills and Little Egrets, lots of Mallards, a few Gadwall and at least four Ruddy Shelducks with a flock of Common Shelducks.  We get good views of Marsh Harriers and a few people get a brief view of a Souslik at the edge of the track.  Watching the pelicans at a distance they start looking very nervous, walking out into the water and away from the bank.  Some even take flight and Roy speculates that perhaps there is a fox disturbing them.  Almost immediately what looks a little like a fox appears but looking more carefully we realise that the shape isn’t right and it suddenly dawns on us that we are watching a Golden Jackal!  Although not all that rare in Bulgaria they are normally nocturnal and very hard to see so we are absolutely delighted to be able to watch as this one walks around the shore sniffing the ground and clearly unnerving the pelicans.  It vanishes behind the flock for a little while before reappearing behind them causing many to rush into the water.  Eventually it heads into the reeds leaving us elated at such a superb sighting...  It has been another brilliant day!

Day 5
The day dawns without a cloud in the sky!  It is lovely weather as we set out and on our way to the woodlands and hills make a brief stop at the saltpans and lakes.  The birds are almost identical to yesterday with lots of Avocets, Spoonbills, Little Egrets etc but we also see an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and find two Little Stints and a very distant Great White Egret.  At Lake Burgas we find the same kinds of numbers of both species of Pelicans, the Little Bittern is still flying back and forth and the ducks seem to even be in the same places!
We continue on our way and have been driving for a while when Roy spots a large snake in the entrance to layby beside the main road.  We quickly pull in at the other end of the layby and reverse back getting out to see if we can see it.  Sure enough we can see its head, raised a little off the ground and after a few minutes it comes right out and crosses the layby giving us a great view.  It is a big snake, at least four feet long, perhaps more and fast moving too!  Rather plain with an orangey face and underside, we identify it as a Large Whip Snake.  While here we also get several excellent views of Golden Orioles flying back and forth across a gap in the trees including some very bright males.
We arrive at the Ropotamo Reserve and walk a short distance through the trees looking for whatever we can find.  There are family groups of Blue Tits and Great Tits and Roy spots a Tawny Owl high in one of the trees looking down at us.  There are Nightingales singing constantly and we see a few common birds like Robins and Chaffinch before suddenly a Black Stork appears gliding through above the trees.  It seems rather quiet so we move on driving slowly up through the town and up into the hills.  We pause to enjoy a close up Woodchat Shrike, then park up where we have a good view of a wooded hillside.  We scan for raptors and after a few minutes a Common Buzzard appears and then a Raven.  There are scattered bushes and trees around us and while we scan for raptors we hear a bird singing a deep scratchy song and realise we are hearing an Olive Tree Warbler!  This is a bird we are very keen to see and so we try playing some call back to it and it responds very quickly flying past and into another tree nearby.  It does this a couple of times and eventually lands where we can really see it well and everyone gets fantastic views of this large, distinctive warbler.  Well pleased with our sighting we spot another raptor circling up from the trees.  It looks rather odd, with an orange tail and pale patches in the wing tips both below and on top.  In all other respects it looks like a Buzzard so perhaps it is a Steppe Buzzard, a subspecies of Common Buzzard that passes through here in large numbers earlier in the year.  Had we been here at that time of year I would not have doubted it!
We drive a little way down the road and then get out of the van and try walking slowly down the road seeing what we can find.  There is a Cirl Bunting singing and also a Woodlark though we can’t seem to locate either bird through the trees.  We find a flock of Long-tailed Tits and get brilliant views of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  We find a Large Tortoiseshell, a very impressive butterfly which disappears all too quickly, and also Marbled White and Small Skipper.  We have our lunch in a shady spot beside the road and there are butterflies galore!  They are mainly species we have seen already but we also identify some new and interesting species such as Grecian and Balkan Coppers, Ilex Hairstreak and Lattice Brown.
We drive back up to Burgas area and make a stop at Pomorie Lake where there is a large Sandwich Tern colony.  There are several Common Terns here too and Little Terns fishing in the lake while Avocets and Black winged Stilts feed around the edges.  One pair of stilts has a tiny baby which looks all legs!  We find Kentish and Little Ringed Plover, some very smart Mediterranean Gulls and a Hoopoe appears which seems to really upset the Little Terns which see it off!
Further down the road we make a brief stop to check a flock of roosting gulls.  To our surprise they are mainly Caspian Gulls, a recent split from Yellow-legged Gull and identified by their rather flat topped heads, longer legs and longer, very slim, straight looking bills though it has to be said they are not easy.  The rest are Yellow-legged Gulls and while some of us are convinced find the difference perhaps a little too subtle.  We also find two Little Stints here.
We finish the day at Poroy Lake, a delightful spot with lots to see.  As we drive slowly down the track towards the lake we discover lots of Bee-eaters are nesting here and get fantastic views as they fly around us and perch on the wires.  There are nest holes in the sandy banks all round the area.  The lighting is perfect as the sun has dropped a little and the early evening light shows them up at their best.  Next we find a family of Isabelline Wheatears and with these much better views it is good to get to grips with their identification.  The pale supercillium, which is pale even in front of the eye, is a useful feature but it is the thick black band at the end of the tail that is the most helpful feature to spot them.  Two Black Storks, an adult and an immature bird, are flying down the bottom of the valley and disappear behind the tall vegetation beside the river.  We find them again as we drive down to the lake and get good views as they feed in the river and on the lake shore.  There is a family of Ruddy Shelducks at the edge of the lake and we find Black-headed Wagtail, several Crested Larks, lots of Common Terns with a couple of Whiskered Terns and a Little Ringed Plover.  A Brown Hare runs up the far slope and we enjoy watching a pig herder with a very motley looking bunch of pigs, while down the valley there is a goat herder with some very smart looking goats and a shepherd with some sheep!  The weather is perfect and we watch a flock of White Pelicans come swimming down the lake towards us.  They start fishing in unison, all facing inwards as they 'net' the fish together.  Another big flock of around fifty Pelicans are flying just above the horizon and eventually come circling up higher looking great as they catch the sun.  Everyone is really enjoying this delightful end to the day but sadly time is now running out and we have to drag ourselves away or we'll be late for our evening meal!  Our final sighting is a lovely little group of five fox cubs relaxing in the last rays of the sun outside their hole.

Day 6
Another beautiful day, but a strange start as outside the hotel Attila notices that one of the Collared Doves doesn't sound right!  After listening for while he suggests it might be an African Collared Dove and consulting the book we the description of the call sounds exactly right!  Its either an amazing record or an escape from a cage - but there is no knowing which.
Leaving Burgas, pausing briefly to photograph one of the adverts in town as no-one will believe us back home, we make a last stop at the saltpans where the Penduline Tit is still around the car pork.  Most of the birds on the pans are the same as yesterday but there are more godwits and several adult Med Gulls.  We are then delighted when Mike spots two Marsh Sandpipers very close and we spend a while enjoying the sight of these delicate little waders. 
We now head off inland and soon find ourselves in hillier countryside with some extensive woodland and mixed agriculture.  We keep our eyes open for raptors as we travel spotting a couple of Honey Buzzards, Black Kite, a wonderful displaying Lesser Spotted Eagle plus several Common Buzzards.  There are Black-headed and Corn Buntings on the wires and the occasional Woodchat Shrikes and Bee-eaters and even the odd Roller. 
We make a stop at a high point where can scan the surrounding area and immediately start spotting raptors circling above the trees - it is jut a shame that they all seem to be Common Buzzards!  In all we find at least six if not more though after a while a Lesser Spotted Eagle appears and shows well and we see a couple of Ravens.  There are Woodchat Shrikes on the tops of the bushes and several Isabelline Wheatears as well as Black-headed Buntings and a very well marked Calandra Lark.  We also get great views of one singing right above our heads looking superb against the blue sky.  Di spots a lizard running through the grass and flowers and we follow it to try and get a good enough view to identify it.  It runs really fast then suddenly runs up to Attila's shoe and climbs up the side where it stays while we all photograph it.  It really is a very smart little lizard with green on top and lots of dark spots and markings and we identify it later as a male Balkan Green Lizard.
We move on and make a brief visit to a reservoir which seems rather quiet though we get good views of Red-backed Shrike here, find a distant Black Stork, see Black Kite and hear a Green Woodpecker.
Driving on further we watch a spiral of around 60 White Storks circling up, presumably still migrating.  We make a stop for lunch with a view over an Imperial Eagle territory.  There are once more lots of Common Buzzards plus Black Kite but sadly no sign of the eagles but it’s a nice view and the butterflies are lovely.  Before we leave a Syrian Woodpecker flies in and lands on a small tree beside the road and we get great views of it as it works its way up the trunk... a new bird for several people.
We continue on our way and the habitat changes from farmland with scattered trees and woodlands to a much scrubbier habitat with rolling hills covered in scattered rocky outcrops.  It looks very birdy and there are clearly shrikes and other birds here.  Soon we make a stop and start our search of this interesting habitat for Masked Shrike.  We soon find a Woodchat Shrike and there are Bee-eaters here too, all three species of sparrow and over the other side of the road an Olive Tree Warbler shows very well if briefly - this bird looking much greyer than the ones we have seen before and more like the picture in the book.  Scanning down a steep bank below us to some trees Joanna spots a Masked Shrike but it vanishes before most people get on it.  For some time we think we aren't going to get another view then suddenly it is back and everyone gets excellent telescope views in the end of this fabulous bird.  While we are searching a Woodlark sings above our heads. We see Goldfinches, Crested Larks and a stunning male Black-eared Wheatear.  We find a singing male Ortolan Bunting and get great views of Red-rumped Swallows.  There are several bush-crickets here too, most species we get in Britain but there is a Wartbiter beside the van, a very large and impressive bush-cricket which strangely no-one feels like handling.
We drive on spotting more Rollers, Bee-eaters, Black-headed Buntings, Corn Buntings and Turtle Doves on the wires then stop to check a tortoise at the side of the road that turns out to be a European Pond Terrapin... a little lost perhaps as we can't see any water anywhere!  A couple of Golden Orioles fly along beside the van before crossing n front of us and Roy spots a distant Black Stork.
Although a little short on time we decide to make a dash to a second Eastern Imperial Eagle site which we had been unable to visit earlier because of a closed road.  We arrive and get out of the van and Roy asks Attila where we should look.  Attila points out the territory and Roy says “So there's no point in looking over there then?”  Attila looks in the direction Roy is pointing and says, “No, not rea… hey, there’s one!"  Over the next few minutes we are treated to fabulous views of this beautiful eagle in lovely evening sunlight as it circles over towards its territory.  It really is a great looking bird with a blonde nape and white markings on the scapulars but otherwise very dark.  It settles in the top of a tree and looks fabulous through the telescope looks terrific as it scans the terrain.  We suddenly realise that there is a Long-legged Buzzard circling right over our heads!  It is a fabulous looking bird and we realise that our attempts to try and convince ourselves about birds that were common buzzards earlier in the day were crazy - it is pretty obvious when you get the real thing with its long wings, pale head, dark belly and rufous plumage. 
We still have some way to go to our hotel and we reluctantly leave the eagle and head off again then as we drive up into the hills a Black Woodpecker flies across the road.  We pull in immediately and decide to try playing some calls to it and are well pleased when after drumming a few times it flies in and perches on a dead tree and we all get fantastic views!
The last part of the journey is simply stunning with spectacular mountain scenery of cliffs, crags and pinnacles of rock.  There are patches of agricultural land between the rocky out crops and we watch a Long-legged Buzzard being chased across a field by a Common Buzzard which is interesting as the size difference is very noticeable.  Driving into the town where we are staying is a little disconcerting as the whole place is very derelict.  It used to be a mining town and since the mines closed almost everyone has left leaving the building to rot and collapse but our hotel is beautiful with a lovely rose garden and lawns and we are certainly in an excellent situation with mountain all round.  In the evening we can hear Scops Owl calling as well as the trill of Green Toads in the garden but get an early night as we are having a slightly earlier breakfast in the morning.

Day 7
We wake up to the mountain views and enjoy an early breakfast so we can be out at the vulture feeding station in time.  We set off and haven't gone far when we spot our first Griffon Vultures perched on a pinnacle of rock.  The scenery is wonderful with rocky outcrops and cliffs and higher peaks and we make a short stop to look up at a high cliff above the road.  Attila points out a Rock Nuthatch nest hole but there is no sign of any birds here.  There is a Blue Rock Thrush perched on the top of a rocky pinnacle, singing Chiffchaffs singing and we get great views of Red-rumped Swallows.
Our route takes us down from the mountains into more agricultural land and through some small villages that are very interesting to see then gradually back up into the hills. I places the rock formations are very impressive with typical basaltic pillars of volcanic rock.  We arrive a the vulture feeding station where we are met by the guy who has organized the carcass to put out this morning.   He works for the local bird conservation organisation who run the feeding programme and an educational programme working with schools and colleges as well as local farmers, the hunting organisations and land owners to improve things for the vultures and other birds of prey in particular.  He takes us out to the view point from where we can watch the carcass that has been put out without disturbing the vultures.  There is a stray dog feeing on the carcass when we arrive and three or four Griffon Vultures plus an immature Egyptian Vulture waiting patiently for it to leave.  Every now and then another Griffon Vulture comes gliding in until there are about eight of them and when eventually the dog wanders off they immediately fly across and start feeding.  It is quite a sight to watch them squabbling over the food, holding out their wings and pushing each other to get at the carcass but they all manage to feed ok, even the diminutive Egyptian who keeps round the edge of things.  A Raven comes in too and also manages to get some food and after a while things settle down and as they become full they walk a little distance away and just stand around while occasionally a new bird flies in to feed.  The weather is overcast and there is no wind which is not ideal as vultures need either thermals or a breeze to really get airborne and it seems unlikely that the Black Vultures that come across from Greece are going to make it today.  Over the next couple of hours we watch the vultures but also keep an eye on the surrounding hills and slopes to see what else is around in this great area for raptors.  A superb Long-legged Buzzard comes flying across and we can see all the lovely rufous colouring and pale head as it is in front of the hillside.  We see Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard and then two falcons circling over the nearby hill.  They look a bit puzzling and initially are only silhouetted which doesn’t help but they clearly aren’t Kestrels, don’t look quite right for Hobby or Peregrine then Attila suggests Eleanora's Falcon.  As they wheel around and start catching insects we realise this is exactly what they are and when one comes down in front of the trees we can see it is completely dark and that clinches it.  In fact the more we look at them the more we can see the difference between these birds and hobby as they look longer tailed and somehow the wing action is very relaxed and deeper than hobby too.  We are all delighted and after a while they are joined by a third bird.  A Hobby then appears right over our heads and we can make a direct comparison which is excellent.  Roy finds a Golden Eagle which frustratingly doesn’t hang around and a couple of adult Egyptian Vultures come in to feed.   The flowers are lovely here with Star of Bethlehem, Wild Thyme and many more.  There are also lots of butterflies including Lattice Brown, Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady, a blue, Small Skipper and Liz finds a huge and very colorful caterpillar.  A Black Kite flies through and by the time we decide to call it a day and head back to the van for lunch we have seen ten species of raptors!
After lunch we drive slowly back the way we came making brief stops here and there as we spot birds.  Joanna spots a Little Owl then we check out an area where there are often lots of Wheatears.  We have soon found Isabelline, Northern and Black-eared as well as Woodchat and Red-backed Shrikes, Greenfinch, Linnet and Syrian Woodpecker.  We drive slowly on and make a stop when we find a falcon perched in a tree near the road.  It is the most incredible close up view of an all dark Eleanora’s Falcon!  We can’t believe our luck as we admire this supremely elegant bird and after watching it from the van we try carefully getting out.  It flies and heads over to join two more birds in the trees on the other side of the road and we realise they are the birds we were watching from the viewpoint.   We spend some time enjoying the fantastic sight of these exquisite birds as they chase around and perch in the tops.  One is all dark, two have pale faces and there is also a forth that looks like a young bird being quite pale below.  What a wonderful treat.  After a while Attila points out that there is a Barred Warbler singing from the bushes nearby so we try playing some song to it.  We get a good response with the bird flying into the bushes very nearby and over the next few minutes most of us manage at least one good view seeing the glaring yellow eye and the barring below.  Down at the bridge we see Black Stork, a distant Short-toed Eagle, Yellow-legged Gull and a Roller flies across the river.
We drive slowly on making our next stop at a very impressive rocky outcrop worth stopping at just to see the impressive basalt columns.  Clearly the local Crag Martins like it too as they are nesting under overhang.  There is a Black-eared Wheatear higher up the slope, Red-rumped Swallows skimming around us and we get another excellent view of a Black Stork by the river while a very pretty butterfly, the Eastern Festoon, is visiting the flowers below the road. 
Our next stop is to check a raptor circling over the top of a hill which turns out to be a Booted Eagle, a very nice pale bird.  We are about to go when Attila spots some distant vultures and decides to check them as they look interesting.  It is immediately obvious that they are holding their wings differently and as they bank round we realise they are Black Vultures, five together and a sixth one that is circling much closer!  We are really pleased as we had been hoping for them at the feeding station and had been disappointed they had not come in.  We also get great views of another Long-legged Buzzard here.
Further down the road we make a stop to admire a very smart male Blue Rock Thrush but while here a Black Vulture appears right in front of us accompanied by three Egyptian and a couple of Griffon Vultures!  This makes for the perfect opportunity to compare these three species and is certainly a brilliant view of Black Vulture!  We find a Cirl Bunting and another Black-eared Wheatear before we head on.
We now return to the rocky outcrop with the Rock Nuthatch nest but the only thing up on the cliffs seems to be Crag Martins which are skimming around the rock face in numbers.  We hear a Chukar calling but it sounds beyond the ridge and we can't see any sign but while scanning we pick up a Sombre Tit.  We try playing a little of its call and it flies right over to investigate allowing us excellent views!  We find another Cirl Bunting, spot a couple of Mistle Thrushes on the far side of the valley and there are more Griffon Vultures overhead.
We move on and decide to try one last destination which is the visitor centre of the vulture feeding station.  The centre has a large room with a 3D map of the area and our guide from here arrives and tells something about their work.  He points out on the map where the various species of raptors nest which is really interesting as it all fits so well with where we have seen things.  It is quite sad to hear of the decline of some species such as Eastern Imperial Eagle but encouraging that other species are doing well.  We also have the chance to walk a little way into the oak woods where we can hear an Eastern Bonelli's Warbler singing but frustratingly we can't find it before it goes quiet.  Feeling it may well be easier in the morning we decide that we will start here tomorrow.

Day 8
After all the lovely weather we have had so far it is a bit of a shock to wake up to find it raining! This seems to be encouraging the Green Toads to be still trilling in daylight and a quick look round reveals one that jumps into the pond allowing us a good look at this rather pretty little toad with its patchwork of green and black markings.  The rain is not heavy but is constant and doesn’t looking like it is thinking of stopping in the near future, but we set out after breakfast to the oak woods to answer the age old question.... ‘Do Bonelli's Warblers sing in the rain?’  After walking a short distance into the trees we are very pleased to discover that the answer is ‘Yes, they do!’  It does not take long to spot one near the path and soon everyone gets great views of this very white bellied warbler trilling its short song.  Although the song is similar, the call is very different to Western Bonelli’s Warbler being a repeated 'chip.'  While looking up at the bird through the trees a Black Stork flies over and there seems to be quite a lot of activity amongst the trees with lots of common birds like Chaffinches, Great Tits and Blue Tits.  Joanna sees a  Common Treecreeper then as we walk out into a clearing we spot a couple of Hawfinches that perch out in the open then get fantastic views of Sombre Tit.  There are Turtle Doves, Spotted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Greenfinches and other birds.
We walk down to the bridge over the river where we spot Long-tailed Tits, Tree Sparrow, Red-rumped Swallow and Keith spots a Long-legged Buzzard which looks great through the scope perched high on a rocky slope.  An Eastern Olivaceous Warbler flits through the bushes below us and Nightingales are singing constantly. 
Our next stop is below some very impressive cliffs and rocky pinnacles towering high above us.  It is spectacular but when Attila says it is a Rock Nuthatch site we are a bit horrified... there is a huge area of possible habitat to search!  Soon we hear one calling and scan the cliff but sadly it must be calling form a ledge or something and we just can’t find it.  The search does however produce several other birds!  There are lots of Crag Martins here and a Blue Rock Thrush shows well as does a very smart male Black-eared Wheatear.  Joanna spots a beautiful male Rock Bunting that perches up in full view and we also find a nice Cirl Bunting as well as more Blue Rock Thrushes.  A beautiful Long-legged Buzzard flies across and lands high on the rocks and several Red-rumped Swallows are wheeling around very close and often below us which is nice. 
We decide to try our other Rock Nuthatch site and spot a little group of four Bee-eaters as we drive then at the next spot Mike brilliantly spots a pair of Chukars sat motionless on the hillside opposite.  There is very little else happening here so we drive down towards the reservoir making a stop en route to scan around.  The rain has almost stopped and there are quite a few birds around including Red-backed and Woodchat Shrikes, Turtle Doves, Corn Buntings and Black-headed Buntings on the wires. 
We arrive at the reservoir itself and find a constant background noise of Great Reed Warblers, Marsh Frogs and Nightingales.  Scanning the shoreline we find a nice Black Stork, several White Wagtails and Keith spots a Redshank.  There are a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls, a Mute Swan, a couple of Cormorants in the trees then a small group of Black-headed Yellow Wagtails appear.  A Black Kite flies through, an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is calling from the bushes in front of us then Liz finds a Wood Sandpiper along the near shore, a lovely find.  A Black-crowned Night-Heron flies in and lands in the dead trees.
We decide to have lunch back up at the crags and cliffs where we are hoping to find the Rock Nuthatch but as we drive up there the rain starts again in earnest and most people eat lunch inside the van.  Again we hear the nuthatch but can't find it but we do spot a Kingfisher which flies across the river and perches in a tree on the far side allowing everyone to get views before flying off down stream.  With the rain still pouring we drive round to the vulture centre and have coffee under the shelter of their large picnic table umbrellas.
The rain eases a little as we drive down along the river so we make a stop and take a short walk through the trees where we soon find a very obliging Middle Spotted Woodpecker.  We get a view through the trees across the valley to some cliffs carved with Thracian tombs, like hollowed out arched windows in the rock face.  The weather is really brightening now so we decide to drive on to where Attila knows of a Levant Sparrowhawk territory.  We soon arrive and weather starts to really clear with the sun coming through and soon warming the day.  There is an incredibly tame Woodlark beside the track and Red-backed and Woodchat Shrikes on the tops of the bushes.  A pair of Hoopoes are flitting back and forth to a large tree and showing very well.  A falcon appears above the skyline and this time Roy is quick off the mark after yesterdays experience soon identifying it as an Eleanora’s Falcon!  It is quite unusual to see so many in this area and we are surprised when a second bird joins it and we get prolonged views as it hawks for insects perching on a pylon between hunting sprees.  A large flock of swifts passes through and incredibly Attila spots a male Eastern Orphean Warbler in a bush the other side of the field!  Through the scopes you can even see its white eye.  Some time later a female also appears in the bushes right in front of us.  The sunshine really starts to bring out the raptors.  First there are Buzzards with three or more circling up from the forest, then a Honey Buzzard flies through.  An Egyptian Vulture glides down the valley then a couple of Griffon Vultures cruise along the skyline.  A Peregrine appears high up beside the cliffs but soon vanishes then suddenly Attila is lost for words as he finds a superb male Levant Sparrowhawk perched in full view not far away!  There is almost a minor panic as everyone tries to see it but there is no need as it stays put preening happily and allowing everyone wonderful views.  Another real target bird we are thrilled to get such brilliant views as most of us were expecting a bird flying across the valley at best!  After everyone has enjoyed fabulous views we decide to try and get a little closer.  We have walked forward closing the gap significantly and the bird is still preening when a car comes past and it immediately flies, pursued by a pair of Golden Orioles!  What a fantastic sight this is!  A really scarce bird being chased by two brilliant coloured orioles must be a sight that will stick in everyone’s memories for years!  Grinning from ear to ear the show continues with the Golden Orioles flying back and forth and even landing for a few moments in full view in one of the trees.  The butterflies are also coming out though we don’t find anything new then Sue calls us over to see a Spur-thighed Tortoise she has found!  It really is a treat to find this great little animal looking up at us all as if slightly perplexed, but not retreating into its shell as you might expect.  It is quite a big one and very smartly marked on its shell.  Butterflies here include a very perfect Spanish Festoon, Spotted Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper, Small Skipper, Clouded Yellow and many others.  Our raptor watching then culminates with wonderful prolonged views of a Golden Eagle circling high overhead and looking spectacular through the telescopes, the golden nape really catching the sun. 
We drive slowly on up the river spotting Herons, Yellow-legged Gulls and Joanna spots another Levant Sparrowhawk perched close to the track.  We stop and get terrific views though it doesn't stay long.  Liz spots a Little Owl on a chimney and a short distance on we find another.  We see Linnets, Greenfinches, Spanish Sparrows, more shrikes, Cirl Bunting and then Attila spots a raptor high in the sky.  A quick check reveals it to be a Goshawk!  It shows quite well for a minute or so then races away over the trees.  There are Buzzards everywhere, more Griffon Vultures and we make a stop to look at more Thracian tombs in a large flat rock face.  From here we can also see a Black Stork nest with a large fluffy white chick in it and the adult perched just above the nest. 
We head back to hotel feeling happy and after our evening meal (and incredible sparkling and colourful ice-cream!) go through the checklist for the final time before asking everyone for their species of the trip, place of the trip and magic moment.  It is great to hear everyone’s thoughts about the trip and what we have seen and there are highlights going right back to the very first mornings walk.  The Eagle Owl gets a mention as well as Eastern Imperial Eagle, Nightingale and even Spur-thighed Tortoise but Eleanora's Falcon gets two votes and today’s marvelous Levant Sparrowhawk three.  Of the places we have visited two places both are equally the most popular being the beautiful cliffs at Yailata and the Arda River from this afternoon which was heavenly and also got mentions as some peoples magic moment.  The moment that got more mentions than any other however was the incredible sight of hundreds of Rose-colored Starlings coming in to roost at Bolata gorge, a whole carpet of them covering the top of the slope opposite.  One thing we all agreed on however was that it has been a fantastic trip with so many sights and wonderful birds it is almost impossible to choose.  Also that Attila has done a great job leading the trip and finding such wonderful places and such great birds for us.

Day 9
After a slightly earlier breakfast we are soon on our way.  The rain has stopped and there is an atmospheric mist hanging amongst the hills.  The usual Turtle Doves, Red-backed Shrikes and Black-headed Buntings etc are along the roadsides but we don’t have much spare time and drive pretty much straight to the airport and our flight home.

SPECIES LISTS
Birds 
Black-throated Diver
Black-necked Grebe
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
White Pelican
Dalmatian Pelican
Great Cormorant
Pygmy Cormorant
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Squacco Heron
Little Egret
Great Egret
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
White Stork
Black Stork
Eurasian Spoonbill
Mute Swan
Ruddy Shelduck
Common Shelduck
Mallard
Gadwall
Garganey
Northern Shoveler
Ferruginous Duck
Common Pochard
Black Vulture
Griffon Vulture
Egyptian Vulture
Osprey
Honey Buzzard
Black Kite
Golden Eagle
Eastern Imperial Eagle
Lesser Spotted Eagle
Short-toed Eagle
Booted Eagle
White-tailed Eagle
Marsh Harrier
Long-legged Buzzard
Common Buzzard
Northern Goshawk
Levant Sparrowhawk
Common Kestrel
Red-footed Falcon
Eurasian Hobby
Eleanora’s Falcon
Peregrine
Chukar
Quail (heard)
Common Moorhen
Common Coot
Avocet
Black-winged Stilt
Stone Curlew
Collared Pratincole
Northern Lapwing
Little Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Dunlin
Curlew Sandpiper
Little Stint
Temminck’s Stint
Redshank
Marsh Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Black-tailed Godwit
Arctic Skua
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Little Gull
Caspian Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Black Tern
Whiskered Tern
Little Tern
Common Tern
Sandwich Tern
Rock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo  
Eagle Owl
Scops Owl (heard)
Alpine Swift
Common Swift
Hoopoe
Kingfisher
European Bee-eater
European Roller
Green Woodpecker
Black Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Syrian Woodpecker
Middle Spotted Woodpecker
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Calandra Lark
Skylark
Crested Lark
Short-toed Lark
Sand Martin
Crag Martin
House Martin
Swallow
Red-rumped Swallow
Tawny Pipit
Grey Wagtail
White Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (Black-headed)
Robin
Nightingale
Northern Wheatear
Black-eared Wheatear
Pied Wheatear
Isabelline Wheatear
Blue Rock Thrush
Blackbird
Song Thrush (heard)
Mistle Thrush
Savi’s Warbler
Great Reed Warbler
Paddyfield Warbler
Cetti’s Warbler (heard)
Icterine Warbler (heard)
Olive-tree Warbler
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
Barred Warbler
Eastern Orphean Warbler
Garden Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler
Chiffchaff
Semi-collared Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
Long-tailed Tit
Penduline Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Sombre Tit
Nuthatch
Eurasian Treecreeper
Short-toed Treecreeper
Red-backed Shrike
Woodchat Shrike
Lesser Grey Shrike
Masked Shrike
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Hooded Crow
Raven
Common Starling
Rose-coloured Starling
Golden Oriole
House Sparrow
Spanish Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Hawfinch
Reed Bunting
Corn Bunting
Cirl Bunting
Ortolan Bunting
Black-headed Bunting
Rock Bunting
(African Collared Dove?)
 
Mammals
Golden Jackal
Red Fox
Fallow Deer
European Suslik
Eastern Hedgehog
Brown Hare
Harbour Porpoise

Reptiles and Amphibians
Balkan Green Lizard
Balkan Wall Lizard
Large Whip Snake
Aesculapian Snake
Grass Snake
European Pond Terrapin
Spur-thighed Tortoise
Marsh Frog
Green Toad

Butterflies
Grizzled Skipper
Eastern Festoon
Silver-washed Fritillary
Black-veined White
Brimstone
Common Blue
Brown Argus
Clouded Yellow
Large White
Meadow Brown
Red Admiral
Spotted Fritillary
Small White
Wall Brown
Great Banded Grayling
Painted Lady
Small Skipper
Marbled White
Grecian Copper
Balkan Copper
Ilex Hairstreak
Lattice Brown
Gatekeeper
Large Tortoiseshell

Other taxa
Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Red-veined Darter
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly
Banded Demoiselle
Black-tailed Skimmer
Norfolk Hawker
Blue-tailed Damselfy
Wartbiter Bushcricket

Plants
These are the species we identified while out in Bulgaria.
Birthwort sp.    Aristolochia longa
Rose Campion   Lychnis coronara
Campion sp   Silene compacta
Pink sp    Dianthus giganteus
Pink sp    D serratifolius
Eastern Larkspur  Consolida  orientalis
Violet Larkspur   Delphinium peregrinum
Balkan Cale   Crambe tataria
Spanish Stonecrop  Sedum hispanicum
St John’s wort sp  Hypericum olympicum
Narrow-leaved Spurge  Euphorbia rigida
Round-leaved Alexanders  Smyrnium rotundifolium 
Clary sp.   Salvia ringens
Wild Thyme sp   Thymus cherlerioides
Mullein sp   Verbascun delphicum
Mullein sp   V glabratum
Peloponnesian Toadflax  Linaria pelopennesiaca
Foxglove sp.   Digitalis lanata
Foxglove sp.   D laevigata
Purple Broomrape  Orobanche purpurea
Oriental Mayweed  Anthemis orientalis
Eastern Yellow Yarrow   Achillea notsilis
Thistle sp   Cynara cardunculus
Balkan Gladiolus  Gladiolus illyricus
Yellow Asphodel   Asphodeline liburnica
Sand Leek   Allium scorodoprasum
Cornflower    Centaurea cyanus
Musk Thistle    Carduus natans
Milk Thistle    Silybum marianum
Corn Cockle    Agrostemma githago
Hairy cinquefoil  Potentilla hirta

Roy Atkins, Speyside Wildlife
June 2008