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Page 2 Twelve pairs of Dalmatian Pelicans had recolonised the site by 1995 (British Birds) but in May 1997 all the pelicans seen were White Pelicans although there were also 'good numbers' of Pygmy Cormorant, Night, Squacco, Grey and Purple Herons (Ian Hillery). However, the site was very disappointing in September 1998 (A Ross). About 20 km West of Sreburna are two more lagoons (Zafirovo) where Ian Hillery had a Dalmatian Pelican and a pair of Ruddy Shelduck with chicks. Page 4 Steve Fisher found a short track to the left about halfway between the signpost and the gate. From here it's possible to walk right alongside the marsh or straight on to a well-vegetated stream and another, much smaller, marsh. At the southern end of the main marsh were 2 Great White Egrets, White-winged Black Terns, Red-footed Falcon and various waders including Collared Pratincole. The small marsh was 'FULL of stilts, Night Herons, White Storks and 2 Glossy Ibis.' Paddyfield Warblers were heard/seen by the main marsh, the small marsh and the stream. The marsh was practically dry and unproductive by early September (Andrew Ross). Site 6 In June, the 'wader pool' had no waders but various wildfowl and terns including Ferruginous Duck and a Red-breasted Goose. In early September there were 2 Red-necked Phalaropes plus lots of ducks, terns, grebes and herons plus 15 Glossy Ibis (Andrew Ross). Page 6 Steve Fisher found that the 'driveable track' was flooded but Paddyfield Warblers were still 'abundant and easy', although no Pygmy Cormorants were seen. In May 1997, Ian Hillery added Rose-coloured Starlings (flocks passing through), Temminck's Stint and Red-footed Falcon and Ferruginous Duck was the commonest duck. In early September, Andrew Ross added 2 Isabelline Wheatears on the beach and a Long-legged Buzzard overhead. "It appeared impossible to drive along the track adjacent to the sea, from Camping Kocmoc and the car park and restaurant, but after parking up, in June 07 I only had to walk about twenty metres to the path by the reedbed to find several Paddyfield Warblers, although they were difficult in the breeze. Indeed, the turn-off track from the main E87 to Camping Kocmoc and the adjacent area by the car park revealed Golden Oriole, Lesser Grey Shrike and Black-headed Wagtail. Marsh Harrier and a Red-footed Falcon were also over the reedbed from this point." (Nick Moss) New site "Back on the E87, there is an additional very good driveable track (taken off the E87) by Durankulak village itself, which is not shown in the book, and is not signposted in anyway from memory. This immediately takes you past a farm to your left, and then you are faced with a choice of 2 directions - do not worry as the route is circular. We took the route to the left and after a few hundred metres parked up on the left (just before derelict farm buildings). We walked out from here through the tall reeds for a further hundred metres or so, picking up 2 Bee-eater, 2 "difficult" but singing Marsh Warblers, Great Reed Warblers, Corn Buntings, Ferruginous Duck on one of the small pools, and plenty of wildfowl flying overhead as well as 2 Night Herons and 2 Collared Pratincoles. Further exploration of foot is possible. Back in the car we drove on past the BSPB watch tower (only used for watching Red-breasted Geese in winter), stopping at various points to overlook reed-bed and larger area of water. Purple Heron was added, and as we drove on we had good views of a few Lesser Grey Shrikes, Spanish Sparrows and a Calandra Lark. The track, which is perfectly driveable, rejoins the track by the farm near the E87. I only had a short time here but Durankulak is worthy of a full day." (Nick Moss) Page 8 Steve Fisher described this as 'totally mind-blowing' with Pied Wheatear 'very common' and the highlight of the ravine being superb views of Eagle Owl. Dave Ashworth got here by taxi from Albena for just £20. His best bird was a Pallid Harrier (mid-August). "A visit in very windy conditions (the point is very exposed!) in June 07 revealed at least 8 Pied Wheatears around the ruins and entrance pay point. Very good views of a pair on the footpath were enjoyed just within the wall ruins, down to a few metres. Driving over the plateau, taking a clay coloured track, we drove for a few kilometres until turning into the village inland. During this time, from the car, we had 5 Isabelline Wheatear, 3 Northern Wheatear, Tawny Pipit, Woodlark, 5 Short-toed Lark, around 20 Calandra Lark, and 2 Red-rumped Swallows passing through. Kestrel was the only raptor but we only stayed an hour. Did not have time to explore the ravine at number 3 on the map, sadly." (Nick Moss) Site 1 On 2nd September 1998, the bushes here had lots of migrants including 5 Red-breasted Flycatchers, 6 Icterine Warblers and an Olive-tree Warbler (A Ross). Site 2 A spectacular fall of migrants had occurred on 4th September 1998 when 'the place was thronging with Red-backed Shrikes, Spotted Flycatchers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats and Redstarts' plus over 50 nightingales (mostly Thrush Nightingales), a few Red-breasted Flycatchers and 3 Corncrakes. Site 3 On 4th September 1998 the ravine had more of the birds seen at site 2 plus Marsh Harrier, Purple Heron, a Pygmy Cormorant and at least 5 Little Crakes. Site 5 Ian Hillery had a Pallid Harrier here in May 1997. Page 14 "Various pull-off points are available on the eastern side within Burgas, overlooking the Cormorant-faeces-corroded pylons. The busier roads in Bulgria can be quite fast however, so it may be difficult to see these pullover spots until you have passed them. In a brief visit in June 07, from here we could see at least 3 ramps that were 'rammed' with pelicans. At least 50 White Pelicans were present, and surprisingly for the time of year (June 6th) at least 15 Dalmation Pelicans. A Little Tern was amongst several passing Commons." (Nick Moss) Page 18 New site: Madzarovo (Madjorovo) "This superb area in the Eastern Rhodopes is a popular alternative about 30 kms west (only as the crow flies) to Studen Kladenetz, and many guided tours to the area will incorporate both. Due to inclement weather here in June 07, I only had about an hour on a day trip from Sunny Beach to enjoy the craggy spots around the village, but had 4 Griffon Vulture (should be easy), 2 Egyptian Vulture, Black Stork, 2 Kestrel, 2 Alpine Swift, Crag Martins, 2 Red-rumped Swallow, Ortolan Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Hawfinch, Barred Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Sombre Tit. Also heard but could not locate Rock Bunting. I should have overnighted, as recommended by all bird tour guides, to really enjoy this fantastic area, where Rock Nuthatch and Orphean Warbler would also have been seen, a well as probable Short-toed Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Black Vulture. The journey from Sunny Beach (near Burgas) to Madzorovo on Route 76 and 55 took around 3-4 hours with many stops, and is a key birding area in its own right, although difficult to pin down to one specific place. The road between Sredec and Elhoro (after Fatija Forest where pullover spots with a view are rare) takes you through classic arable land that produced 4 Montagu's Harriers, 2 Red-footed Falcons, a few Black Kites and Long-legged Buzzards, Common Buzzards, several Rollers and Black-headed Buntings, Isabelline Wheatear, Golden Oriole, many Red-backed Shrikes, Turtle Doves, Crested Larks, Spanish Sparrows, common hirundines. Then after Elhoro/Elhovo, the route takes you through the Sakar Mountains, a low-lying gently rolling series of hills crammed with more birds including many White and a few Black Storks. A knowledgeable guide is essential to help you find Eastern Imperial Eagle (3 birds seen), Lesser Spotted Eagle (1 bird), and Masked Shrike (dipped due to rain) between here and Madzorovo. About a mile (very approx.) SW of the village of Shtit/Stit on the road ten miles NE of Svilengrad is a hard-baked mud track to the north of the road. We parked up on this track after about a hundred metres and heard 4 Olive-tree Warblers in the bushes and small trees to the right, two of which were seen although they were elusive. (This general area is close to the Turkish border, and as with Durankulak near the Romanian border, random passport checkpoints exist within the Bulgarian border, so take your passports.) But this general area was superb for birds...larks, Little Owl, Steppe Buzzard, Woodchat Shrike, Bee-eaters, hirundines. I would advise using a bird guide for a trip to the Sakar Mountains and Eastern Rhodopes due to the precise geographical knowledge required and other possible difficulties (border police/breakdown/getting lost, etc.)." (Nick Moss) Page 20 Site 1 John Kirby and John Sanders had Bonelli's Warblers here. Steve Fisher arrived here on June 1st but the mountain areas were still closed due to late snows and the risk of avalanche. Site 2 They also had a pair of Wallcreepers nesting in one of the concrete pillars which supported the electricity cables by the chalet. The birds were watched for over an hour, giving views down to 3 metres. Page 22 Site 1 J Kirby also had 4 Black Woodpeckers and 10 Hazel Grouse by walking uphill from the hotels. Page 26 Ian Hillery reports that by following the main road south, beyond the river which passes Kamcia, then taking the next left, signposted to Skorpilovci, you will find a superb marsh on the left. This area, called Staro Oriahovo marsh, is being drained but in May 1997 it had Spoonbill, Ruddy Shelduck, Avocet, Collared Pratincole, Glossy Ibis plus lots of passage waders and marsh terns. Site 3 Ian Hillery was ejected from the lighthouse area but explored the bushes and copses immediately to the north where he found 3 singing Olive-tree warblers, Woodchat and Red-backed Shrikes, Rose-coloured Starling, Sombre Tit and Tawny Pipit (21st May 1997). "Emona is signposted once off E87 and is easily reached from Sunny Beach using car hire or taxi. The first mile off the E87 is itself quite productive: I had Black-headed Buntings, possible Subalpine Warbler, many Red-backed Shrikes and Corn Buntings. After a mile or two take an unsignposted right turn over concrete bridge (if you are unsure, the alternative road straight ahead comes to a stop half a mile further on). I did not find the area by the river bridge productive but on my visit in June 07 the river was being dredged so there was significant disturbance. The road from here to the Cape varies in quality a lot, with much taken in second gear, but it is OK if taken with care. It took me about half a hour to reach the Cape. Keep your eyes peeled for raptors as you drive through (the Stara Planina hills apparently hold raptors but I just had Buzzard). There are in fact few opportunities to stop, although one clearing was obvious where several Red-backed Shrikes showed well. The last mile before the Cape opens out into bushy countryside (near Emona village away to your right). These bushes were productive and held Woodchat Shrike, Tawny Pipit, Sombre Tit, Hawfinch. There is no obvious place to park up, so I parked on the grass about hundred metres before the main military base (I saw no military personnel but caution should be exercised as a sign says no photography). The actual Cape and lighthouse area were a further hundred metres past the military base and I did not go to it. After parking, I walked to the right of the military base, where you can see the obvious deep wooded gulley/ravine. You can scan from the path at the top but although beneath you, birds are flighty over the top of the trees and quickly land in tree foliage. I had several Nightingales, Golden Oriole, and an obliging perched male Rock Bunting on the other side of the gulley hillside. Follow the path immediately adjacent to the military installation fence for about 50-100 metres (or further if you want although the area near to the sea was least productive for me). Several winding tracks appear to lead down to the gulley floor; some lead to dead ends but with perseverence I negotiated a winding way down (I am 44 and of reasonable health, but you need good sturdy footwear and plenty of water). I sat quietly under a shaded branch twenty metres from one of the few remaining small puddles of water in the dried stream, and over an hour had Thrush Nightingale, 3 Eastern Bonelli's Warblers (which you can hear calling regularly), Marsh Tit, a few Hawfinches, Nightingales, Eastern Olivaceous Warblers and Great Tits that all came to drink and bathe. No Olive-tree Warblers were heard during my mid-day visit. I would like to have spent a full day here exploring the coastal scrub and cliffs as well as the superb ravine explored." (Nick Moss) New site: within Sunny Beach "In any remaining undeveloped areas of trees, you can find Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Tree and Spanish Sparrow. 100 metres from Hotel Meridian (across main road) I had all the above every visit along with Blackcap, juvenile Semi-collared Flycatcher (once), Hooded Crow and Hobby. Early morning visits (6-8am) were imperative. In the north of the resort of Sunny Beach, the main road through the resort takes you over the river. Adjacent to the river is a raised rough road/track that overlooks the river and adjacent reedbed. This runs inland for about a mile, until it reaches another roadbridge (carrying the main E87). Early-morning visits in June 07 produced up to 4 Little Bitterns, up to 10 'showy' Great Reed Warblers, Reed Warblers, Nightingale, a party of up to 6 Kestrel in a tree by a new development using an old crow's nest, Hooded Crows and Spanish Sparrows, and the last section by som elarge yellow cylinders is particularly productive as birds fly around a small coppice on the opposite side of the river. Hawfinch and Golden Oriole favour this area; I also had a pair of Cuckoo and a Bee-eater on two visits, as well as a very probable Savi's Warbler. A few Little Egrets overhead, as well as numerous Yellow-legged Gulls. Frogs/toads create a deafening sound! This is an excellent local birding area within Sunny Beach." (Nick Moss) New site: Poroy Wood "Poroy Wood is ten miles inland from Sunny Beach, on the right just as you enter the village itself. A stroll around this lovely wood over an hour in June 07 produced several noisy Golden Orioles, Woodchat and Red-backed Shrikes, Spanish Sparrows, Green Woodpecker; Great Spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers should be quite easy but I still had trouble separating them!! Masked Shrike were said to breed here. You could spend a few hours here early morning or early evening. I had the wood to myself early evening. A taxi each way would be feasible. There is a reservoir a few miles away but I had little of note and found no really obvious viewpoint." (Nick Moss) Page 28 Site 1 Dave Ashworth managed to find Paddyfield Warbler here in August. Site 2 By the second week of June, Steve Fisher found Semi-collared Flycatcher with some difficulty and reported that the mosquitoes found him with ease. By the end of August, Andrew Ross found that the flycatchers were almost impossible and birds such as Little Bittern and Black-headed Bunting couldn't be found. However, Grey-headed and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers were easy, Hawfinches were abundant and there were lots of migrants including Red-breasted Flycatcher. Dave Ashworth suggests that a rowing boat which sets off from the Gergana hotel might be a good way to explore the flooded woodland in spring. Site 4 Ian Hillery reported a singing Olive-tree Warbler here on 19th May 1997. Site 5 Dave Ashworth added Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike, Ortolan Bunting, Lesser Spotted Eagle and a Pallid/Montagu's Harrier in August. He also had a Saker Falcon from the road to Balchik. Along this road, 6 km from the Albena roundabout, are some cliffs on the left where Ian Hillery had Eagle Owl at dusk. Page 30 Site 6 The airfield no longer has the MIG fighters to use as a landmark. More birds at the airfield included Lesser Grey and Woodchat Shrikes, Tawny Pipit and Ortolan Bunting in May 1997 (Ian Hillery). Lots of raptors were passing at the end of August (also visible over Albena), including Levant Sparrowhawks and 2 male Pallid Harriers. Hundreds of White Storks, White Pelicans and Honey Buzzards were counted (Andrew Ross). Site 7 Steve Fisher stayed at Golden Sands and had 'plenty of orioles, Barred Warblers, Hawfinches, Olivaceous Warbler, both nightingales, Syrian Woodpecker, 3 pairs of Pied Wheatear (to the north) and an immature Great Black-headed Gull on the sea.' |
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