BULGARIA 14–24 May 2009 Leader: Dimiter Georgiev

Bulgaria has established itself as one of the leading eastern European destinations and, since the break-up of the former Soviet Union in 1991, it has become increasingly more accessible. With EC membership beckoning and the infrastructure rapidly improving, now is an ideal time to visit this beautiful country, which has a wide variety of habitats ranging from high mountains to steppes and vast marshes on the Black Sea coast. The combination of a number of speciality birds, which are hard to find anywhere else in Europe, and a good cross section of some commoner eastern European species, is highly attractive.

Day 1 We make a morning departure for Sofia, arriving early afternoon, then take a four-hour drive to the Trigrad region in the Western Rhodopes Mountains. En route we will see the landscape of farmland, with its Red-backed Shrikes, Spanish Sparrows and Black-headed and Ortolan Buntings, gradually change to riverine valleys. In the villages before the mountains we will look for White Storks, Little Owls and Syrian Woodpeckers, whilst the mountain rivers hold White-throated Dippers. Overnight in the area of Trigrad.

Day 2 This morning we will explore the beautiful Trigrad Gorge, which is one of the best places in Europe to find the stunning Wallcreeper. Peregrine Falcon, Short-toed Snake-eagle, Alpine and Pallid Swifts, Crag Martin and Rock Bunting can also be found. At some time in the afternoon we will drive to the Eastern Rhodopes Mountains, where we will spend the next three nights in Madjarovo.

Day 3 Today we will visit the Studen Kladenetz region (of volcanic origin), which has huge rocks scattered around the stony ground, stunted shrubs and an almost complete lack of mature trees. There is a vulture feeding station where Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures and Eurasian Griffon-vulture can all be seen well. Many other birds of prey occur here and we will be constantly on the lookout for Booted and Imperial Eagles, Black Kites and Long-legged Buzzards. The bushes and rocks are home to a variety of species including Chukar, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Hoopoe, Western Rock Nuthatch, Rufous-tailed and Blue Rock-thrushes, Black-eared and Isabelline Wheatears, Woodchat Shrike, Barred, Subalpine, Sardinian and Eastern Orphean Warblers and Cirl Bunting. In the evening after dinner, we may also try for European Scops-owl.

Day 4 This morning we will travel for about an hour and a half to explore the valley of the delightful River Kroumovitza. Black Stork, Long-legged Buzzard, Eurasian Thick-knee, Red-rumped Swallow, Lesser Grey Shrike, Sombre Tit and Western Rock Nuthatch are all possible here amongst beautiful scenery. In the afternoon we return to Madjarova, where we will look for Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Rock Bunting and other species we may have missed previously.

Day 5 Today we will drive to the southern Black Sea coast. En route we may stop in Sakar, where we will look for Levant Sparrowhawk, Masked Shrike and Olive-tree Warbler. Lunch will be taken at a restaurant serving traditional food in a village in the Sakar Mountains, which supports local awareness of Imperial Eagle conservation. A Montagu's Harrier colony can also be seen en route to the coast. Two nights in Bourgas.

Day 6 Wetlands abound around Bourgas and during the course of the day we will visit Atanasovsko, Bourgas and Mandra Lakes and the Poda Lagoon. Species we will look for include Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Little Egret, Little Bittern, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Pygmy Cormorant, Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Ruddy Shelduck, Ferruginous Duck, Collared Pratincole, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Marsh Sandpiper, Kentish Plover, Mediterranean and Slender-billed Gulls, Gull-billed and White-winged Terns, Yellow (Black-headed) Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, Eurasian Penduline-tit and Bearded Tit, as well as migrant waders such as Broad-billed and Terek Sandpipers and Red-necked Phalaropes.

Day 7 Today we will drive to the Dobrudja on the northern Black Sea coast via oak forests near Goritza and riverine forests near Kamchia. Species we may not have seen previously and that can be found here include Lesser Spotted and White-tailed Eagles, Black, Grey-headed and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Marsh and Sombre Tits, Short-toed Treecreeper and Hawfinch. Three nights in Kavarna.

Day 8 We will explore Kaliakra and Yailata with their steppes and cliffs. Possible new species that can be found in the variety of habitats here include the desmarestii sub-species of European Shag, Yelkouan Shearwater, Eurasian Eagle-owl (at daytime roost), Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Pied Wheatear and Rose-coloured Starling. There is also a possibility of Eleonora's Falcon, Arctic Skua and Levant Sparrowhawk.

Day 9 Today we will visit Durankulak and Shabla Lakes, where we will look for Ferruginous Duck, Red-footed Falcon and Paddyfield Warbler as well as many of the species we have seen previously. We will also have further opportunities to look for migrant waders, gulls and terns. In the afternoon we will leave the coast for a 3.5 hour drive inland westward with 2 or 3 stops on the way for refreshment. We will spend the night in the Central Balkan Mountains.

Day 10 Today we will explore the Central Balkan Mountain where we will visit old beech forests for White-backed Woodpecker and Red-breasted Flycatcher and some high mountain meadows and pastures for Water Pipit. In the late afternoon we will drive for about 2.5 hours to Sofia. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 11 Departure from Sofia Airport.

General Information The climate can vary from hot and sunny to cold in the mountains, with some rain possible. The tour pace is moderate with generally easy walks mostly on level ground. There are no significant health requirements. Expect around 200 species.

Group Size Minimum number for tour to go ahead: 8; maximum group size: 16 with two leaders.

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