Birds and Bears, Transylvania and the Danube Delta
Romania, 10 days

Romania should be high on the list of destinations for every birdwatcher. The Danube Delta is for those who enjoy spectacular birdwatching: huge flocks of pelicans, waders, cormorants, reedbeds full of warblers, lakes and marshes full of ducks, herons, egrets and ibises. Woodpeckers, Hoopoe, Roller, Bee-eater and Golden Oriole are plentiful. On the Black Sea Coast of Dobrogea sought after raptors fly overhead and in the forests, hills and plains nearby you find Levant Sparrowhawk, Booted Eagle, Pied Wheatear, Rock Thrush and Sombre Tit. The extensive wetlands along the sea provide habitat for rare resident species and thousands of migrating birds as well, including pelicans, Ruddy Shelduck and Paddyfield Warbler.
The Carpathian Mountains provide a contrast and a good opportunity to discover exciting mountain species including Ural and Tengmalm’s Owl, Wallcreeper, Alpine Swift, Ring Ouzel and Nutcracker. There is also a chance to see rare mammals such as Chamois and Brown Bear.

Day 1
Upon arrival we meet at our English speaking guide at the Bucharest Airport. We then travel through a variety of interesting habitats birding en route and keeping an eye on raptors on the way to Mamaia on the Black Sea Coast, where we spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Mamaia, Black Sea Coast

Day 2
On the second day we visit one of the best birding areas in Europe, the wetlands of Histria and Vadu.
At Histria the habitat of muddy pools, ponds, extensive reedbeds, steppe and sandy scrub attracts many resident and migrating bird species. White and Dalmatian Pelicans can often be seen over the lakes, Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Ruddy Shelduck, Ferruginous Duck, Marsh Sandpiper, Calandra Lark, waders, marsh terns and many surprises await us! Bearded Reedling, Savi’s and Moustached Warbler are in the reeds and we may even find a Paddyfield Warbler. The area of the Greek-Roman ruins holds migrating passerines.
The extensive salt marshes of Vadu support a good population of Pratincoles including Black-winged, and a fine selection of waders, gulls and terns can be observed here.
Accommodation: Mamaia, Black Sea Coast

Day 3
In the morning we visit Cheia Gorge, a scenic valley among vast steppes and arable lands. We will search for Short-toed Lark, Rock Thrush, Pied Wheatear and raptors on the rocky crags, dry grassland and in the deciduous forest. Then we head north towards the Danube Delta crossing Babadag Forest, an excellent site for raptors. Levant Sparrowhawk, Honey and Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed, Booted, Lesser-Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles have all been sighted here. In the woods we search for Sombre Tit, Hawfinch and Collared Flycatcher. At Enisala we have another chance to enjoy the spectacle of Pelicans! Red-footed Falcons and other raptors are often seen here and Sousliks inhabit the area below the castle. The pools may hold Red-crested Pochard, Glossy Ibis and herons along with numerous interesting waders.
We arrive to our hotel or our own chartered floating hotel in Tulcea in the afternoon to set sail immediately. Dinner will be served on the boat.
Accommodation: floating hotel in the Danube Delta

Day 4
This is birdwatching at its most relaxed! 2 full days birding along the rich waterways in the heart of the Danube Delta! After breakfast on board, we leave on a motor boat to find our way through narrow channels towards Letea Forest, where we spend the morning. This remarkable forest is the breeding area for White-tailed Eagle, Red-footed Falcon, Black Stork, woodpeckers and Thrush Nightingale. Stone-Curlew breeds on nearby sandy areas. During the afternoon the motor boat takes us along the Dunarea Veche, the Old Danube, to meet the floating hotel. We continue on the floating hotel towards the village of Mila 23. Black-necked and Red-necked Grebes, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Bearded and Penduline Tit can be seen around the boat.
Accommodation: floating Hotel in the Danube Delta

Day 5
We visit Mila 23, a village among extensive marshes and ponds and look out for Spanish Sparrows sharing the nests of White Stork. Black and Grey-headed Woodpecker can be seen in riverside copses, often giving close views. We sail along Sontea Channel to the tranquil Fortuna Lake, where Dalmatian and White Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis and Kingfisher can be seen. White-tailed Eagles often perch on the old trees. In the afternoon, we pass through lakes Baclanesti and Nebunu and in the late evening we arrive in Tulcea. Farewell dinner will be served on board.
Accommodation: floating Hotel in the Danube Delta

Day 6
After breakfast we leave the boat and head for the Macin Hills. We visit different rocky and pasture habitats to look for Long-legged Buzzard, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike, Tawny Pipit, Isabelline Wheatear and Rock Thrush. During the afternoon we return to our hotel in Mamaia, birding en route. Travelling across the plains and along river valleys we reach the town of Sinaia in the Bucegi Massif. Sinaia is often referred to as "The Pearl of the Carpathians”. This settlement is situated in a mountainous valley having an excellent climate with plenty of sunshine and moderate temperatures the whole year round. There is a famous Monastery here and we can drive through the grounds of the dramatic Peles Castle.
Accommodation: Countryside Hotel near Zarnesti

Day 7
In the mountainous areas of the Southern Carpathians we might see Nutcracker, Common Crossbill, Crested Tit and Ring Ouzel. On the way to our accommodation near Zarnesti, a small detour can be made to see "Dracula’s Castle" near Bran, which was built in 1378 atop a cliff. Legend says that Vlad Tepes, better known as “Count Dracula”, lived here.
Accommodation: Countryside Hotel near Zarnesti

Day 8
In the morning we take a downhill stroll, during which we may see Red-breasted Flycatcher and Wood Warbler, reaching a quarry where Crag Martins and the elusive Eagle Owl live. In Zarnesti Gorge we search for Wallcreeper, Alpine Swift, Raven and Tengmalm’s Owl. Early afternoon we return to the hotel for an early supper. Afterwards we leave for the optional evening visit to the bear hides to watch for Brown Bear and other mammals! In the valley en route we look for Ural Owl, Lesser-spotted Eagle and listen to the calls of Corn Crake and Nightjar.
Accommodation: Countryside Hotel near Zarnesti

Day 9
We search for Scops Owl, Syrian Woodpecker and Goshawk around our accommodation in the morning. Rock Bunting habitat is also close by. Depending on weather and species successes so far, we can choose to revisit the gorge, the forest or the mountain pastures. We can also make an optional trip to a Wolf Cabin. We will have a second chance for mountain species too, such as Nutcracker, Crested Tit, Hawfinch and Black Woodpecker.
Accommodation: Countryside Hotel near Zarnesti

Day 10
We travel through Sinaia, birding en route, to arrive to Bucharest Airport.