Black Sea Coast and the Danube Delta
Romania, 8 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.

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
We head north towards the Danube Delta crossing Babadag Forest that is excellent 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 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

Days 4-5
This is birdwatching at its most relaxed! 2 full days birding along the rich waterways in the heart of the Danube Delta! We visit Mila 23, a village in the reeds, and the nearby tranquil Fortuna Lake, where Dalmatian and White Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis and Kingfisher can be seen. Black-necked and Red-necked Grebes, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Bearded and Penduline Tit can be seen around the boat, while Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers abound in the riverside often giving close views. We visit Letea Forest, the breeding area for White-tailed Eagle, Red-footed Falcon and Thrush Nightingale.
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 and Isabelline Wheatear. Heading south at Cheia Gorge we search for Short-toed Lark, Rock Thrush, Pied Wheatear and raptors in the beautiful rocky valley.
Accommodation: Mamaia, Black Sea Coast

Day 7
We visit Lake Techirghiol, a health spa lake that attracts Avocet, Black-necked Stilt and Stone-Curlew. Then we drive to Hagieni Forest, where the variety of habitats support raptors, woodland species, warblers and waterbirds. Returning to the Black Sea Coast we can seawatch at Mamaia with the setting sun behind us.
Accommodation: Mamaia, Black Sea Coast

Day 8
We leave the Black Sea and head for Bucharest. “Eyes in the sky” for more raptors and if time permits we stop at interesting places en route.