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A Report from birdtours.co.uk

Bulgaria - The Black Sea Coast, 25th to 31st May 2004,

Author

Neil Money - Heathfield House, Dunnet, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland KW14 8XP
E-mail:neil.money@btconnect.com

INTRODUCTION

This trip was put together at fairly short notice after a major tour operator cancelled a trip we had booked to Kazakhstan because numbers were too small i.e. he could not make enough money! Unfortunately, this meant that we did not have time to arrange a comparable tour for the spring, so this trip to Bulgaria was something of a stop gap. I did not have time to do any detailed planning and the timing was a bit late for spring migration, with just a trickle of shore birds passing through and few passerines. In the end, it was very successful, passed expectations and I would certainly consider a return trip.

The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria is an ideal, safe location for independent birds seeking to find the east European specialities. Being on the package holiday circuit it is easy to get to, prices are reasonable and the infrastructure makes easy access to major sites.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

I booked flights from Glasgow, accommodation at Elenite and a rental car from Burgas airport with First Choice through their website at www.firstchoice.co.uk. The hotel package was all inclusive (including local alcohol!) and the total cost including the car was under £500 of which the car accounted for £240. Great value!

The only draw backs were that the plane arrived and left Burgas late at night so that I did not arrive at the hotel until the early hours of the morning and arrived back in Glasgow at 4.00am. Not the most civilised of times.

RESOURCES

BOOKS

Where to Watch Birds in Bulgaria: Petar Iankov: Pensoft (1996)
Finding Birds in Bulgaria: Dave Gosney: Gostours (1994) ISBN 1-898110-14 X

Although the information in these two books is now nearly 10 years old I found them very useful and still surprisingly accurate. Some of the information for the fast developing tourist areas is no longer valid. For example, the wooded areas in the north of Sunny Beach mentioned by Petar Iankov have disappeared under hotels and his advice to simple stop by the road side is no longer possible in some areas because of changes in road structure. In less developed areas, such as Cape Ermine and Shabla , the information in these books is still 100% accurate.

Where to Watch Birds in Eastern Europe: Gerard Gorman: Hamlyn (1994) ISBN 0-600-57976 X
Bulgaria: Paul Greenway: Lonely Planet Publications (2002)
The Rough Guide to Bulgaria: Bousfield and Richardson: Rough Guides

MAPS

Bulgaria 1:400,000 Reise
Bulgarian Black Sea Coast - Burgas 1:150,000 Freytag and Berndt

INTERNET AND TRIP REPORTS

I was able to find very little birding information for Bulgaria on the Internet. I located a few trip reports and although I was able to glean some relevant information from them, none was particularly helpful in planning this trip.

For up to date advice on travelling to Bulgaria, British citizens should refer to the Bulgaria page on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk and for health advice to www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk. Non-British nationals will find the information on these pages relevant but should follow the advice of their own governments and health authorities.

SITES

CAPE KALIAKRA

Situated about 80 km north of Varna Cape Kaliakra is one of the prime sites in Europe for Pied Wheatear. The birds are very easy to see from the road or around the archaeological ruins at the end of the Cape. In addition to a good range of breeding species, it looks as though it could be exciting during migration periods.

Access by public transport is difficult but easy if you have your own transport. For those staying in the Sunny Beach area it is only two and a half hours by car. From the south, travel north along the E87 until reaching Kavarna and then look out for the signs to Cape Kaliakra . Do not take the first sign on the south side of Kavarna as this leads into the centre of town. Instead, bypass the town and take the second sign on the right hand side (east) and turn back on that road towards the southeast. This is a straight road; opposite a petrol station on the right hand side of the road take the left hand turn (east) towards Balgarevo . Continue through Balgarevo to the car park at the Cape. Depending on your time of arrival, there may be a small toll to pay when you reach the Cape. There is a restaurant set in the cliffs on the south side of the Cape.

About 1 km west of the Cape car park a road off to the northwest leads down to a marshy ravine which looks interesting and well worth exploring if you have the time.

SHABLA LAKE

Well worth a visit for breeding and migratory birds, Shabla is also a site for accessible Paddyfield Warbler. For people staying in the Sunny Beach area it can easily be combined with a visit to Cape Kaliakra.

From the south follow the E87 for about 20 kms north of Kavarna and turn right into Shabla (a). In the centre of the town take the obvious right hand fork (I do not remember seeing a sign) and about 1 km from that junction, outside of the town, turn sharp left (north) until you reach a locked gate, then turn right (east) and continue on to the campsite and park.

I walked north along the beach for 2+ kms and just beyond two modern beach villas I was able to access the reed bed. Two hundred metres along the reed bed I located a Paddyfield Warbler by song and by waiting patiently on the edge of the reeds I was able to obtain good views.

The lake is just a few hundred metres south of the car park.

KAMCHIA

The Kamchia Biosphere Reserve is accessible from the north and the south.

For access to the southern section take the E87 to the village of Star Orjahovo . Turn east through the village and proceed through Novo Orjahovo after which the road enters the forest, then turn north on a narrow single-track road immediately before Camping Izgrev , which is marked by a large sign. There is a small parking area at the end of the road.

For the north section return to the E87 and drive north 10 kms to the village of Bliznaci and take the obvious road right turn and then south east down to the summer resort of Kamchia. I did not find this area very rewarding as I could not find a way beyond the resort, but it may be that I did not explore sufficiently. However, I did see Semicollared Flycatcher here, which was easily located by its call in the riverside trees.

GORITZA FOREST ( G)

This is an extensive oak forest most easily accessed directly from the E87 opposite a restaurant about 1 km north of the village of Gorica . There is a lay-by on the east side of the road and a number of paths leading off into the forest. I found Semicollared Flycatcher and Middle Spotted Woodpecker easy to see here.

CAPE EMINE

Situated 75 kms north of Burgas and 82 kms south of Varna , Cape Emine can be accessed easily by anyone with a car who is staying at Sunny Beach or Golden Sands.

Coming from the south on the E87, pass through the village of Banja about 15 kms north of Sunny Beach and after a further 5 kms turn right (east) on a side road signposted to Irakli . Follow this road until it turns sharp right and passes over a small tree lined stream and then continue to the Cape and park close to the military installation. The road, which is in poor condition but passable, passes through forest and it is worth stopping to bird the forest and also at the bridge where the road crosses the stream.

A track leads down from the parking area to the lighthouse. To the right of the track there is a wooded gully running down to the sea. This holds Olive-tree Warbler. The birds skulk deep in the shrubbery so that the best strategy is to locate them by song and then sit and wait in the hope that they will show themselves. On my first visited I had two singing birds but neither showed. On the second visit I located one singing bird that eventually came to the top of a bush and gave good views.

The Cape is reputed to be a site for breeding Finsch's and Black-eared Wheatears, but on both of my visits I saw only Northern.

AHELOI

29kms north of Burgas and 7kms south of Sunny Beach the E87 crosses the Aheloi River at the town of . The roadsides have been protected with steel barriers so that it is no longer possible to park by the road as recommended by Iankov. It is now necessary to park at the edge of the town, where there is some waste ground, and then walk back to view the river. This should be done with care, as the road is busy. The only bird of note I had here was the only Little Bittern of the trip.

POMORIE LAKE

Pomorie Lake is a large lagoon used extensively for salt production laying between the E87 and the sea immediately north of Pomorie . Many of the lagoons can be viewed from the E87 and there are a few places where it is possible to pull off the road. Care is required, particularly when turning back on to the road, as this is a straight stretch and traffic will be travelling fast. By turning east toward Pomorie town the southern part of the lake can be accessed by then taking the first left on reaching the town, then sharp right and then first left in to a cul-de-sac.

I had only a small trickle of passage waders during the week but during main passage times the lake is reputed to be excellent for waders, grebes, gulls and terns.

CAMPING EVROPA MARSH

This small marsh is on the north side of the E87 between Pomorie and Burgas where the road runs close the sea. There is ample parking on the sea side of the road. The marsh is heavily vegetated with very little open water but looks good for heron species including Black-crowned Night-Heron.

ATANASOVO LAKE

Atanasovo is a large lake running roughly north to south immediately north of Burgas. It is frustratingly difficult to get close to the water or the reed beds. It is crossed by the E87 but at that point it is a fast dual carriage way with little or no roadside access.

The best strategy is to take the side road to the north sign posted to Kableshkovo whose junction is immediately to the east of the point where the E87 crosses the lake. This road runs parallel to the eastern shore of the lake but separated from it by fields and an industrial area. At the northern end of the industrial area there is an inconspicuous road leading off at a right angle to the west. Follow this road down until you reach the railway line and park. Although it does not look so, the railway is in use so cross with care and walk north along the track from about 50 metres. A track leads of to the left (west) towards a clump of trees, and there bear left again keeping a small pond on your left. This will lead you to a sluice which can be crossed giving access to a dyke with views over the reed beds and lake. A telescope is very useful at this site.

By returning to the railway and following the track south you can reach an area reputed to be excellent for soaring birds during migration periods.

BURGAS LAKE

Burgas Lake lies to the west of Burgas and is heavily industrialised along its north coast. The best access strategy is to take the E87 through Burgas following the signs for Sozolpol and after driving along the eastern shore of the lake take a right turn (west) at the first major set of traffic lights. Soon after turning take an insignificant right turn which is not sign posted but leads to Gorno Ezerovo , if you enter the town of Meden Rudnik you will have missed the turn. At Gorno Ezerovo go left to bypass the village and shortly afterwards the road gives good views across the lake. By continuing along the road you come to the western end of the lake which has water meadows and an old fish farm. I had a flock of 200 Great White Pelicans in the water meadows.

PODA

Poda, at the eastern end of Mandra Lake , is the site of a Nature Conservation and Information Centre established by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds and which is staffed by a very helpful, English speaking warden. It is well worth a visit.

Leaving Burgas south the E87 follows the eastern shore of Burgas Lake and then crosses the eastern end of Mandra Lake. Soon after the end of the dual carriage way a small cream, flat roofed building will be seen on the left hand side (north) of the road. This is the BSPB centre and is reached by taking a short unsurfaced track leading off the E87. There is a small parking area. There is a good view from the flat roof over the surrounding wetlands which support all the Bulgarian herons, Glossy Ibis and Eurasian Spoonbill.

MANDRA LAKE

Mandra Lake is the southern most of the three large lakes around Burgas and runs southwest to northeast. It is possible to drive right round the lake, but the more interesting areas are along the southeast shore.

Leave Burgas south on the E87 by the same route as if going to Burgas Lake as detailed above. At the traffic lights turn right and proceed through Meden Rudnik towards Sredec . Near the village of Debelt turn left (south) to round the end of the lake and follow the road through forest until it comes down to the lake again at the mouth of the Fakijska River . It is possible to walk along the east side of the river to the lake shore. On my visit there was a pair of Eurasian Penduline-Tits nesting in the trees by the road. Continuing east through the village of Dimchevo you will reach the mouth of the Izvorska River which is a designated nature reserve. There is a choice of two routes back to Burgas from this point. The more direct route is to continue on the road to Marinka and then turn left (north) to join the E87 near Poda. The alternative is to turn left before reaching Marinka, pass through Tvardica and after crossing a causeway over Mandra Lake pass through Meden Rudnik and so back to Burgas. It is possible to get a view of the lake from the hills north of Tvardica.

CHENGENE SKELE

The small reserve of Chengene Skele is situated about 6 kms east of Poda where the E87 comes close to the sea. It is possible to turn off the E87 on the north side on to a disused road to park.

ALEPU

Alepu is a marshland with open water situated on the E87 about 9 kms south of Sozolpol immediately after the holiday village of Djuni . It is easily viewed from the E87, and apart from the full range of Bulgarian heron species it has a breeding colony of Pygmy Cormorants towards its southern end and in some years Red-necked Grebe. The marsh can also be accessed from a side road running along its western edge. The eastern side of the E87 gives access to the shore of the Black Sea.

ROPOTAMO

Ropotomo lies about 50 kms south of Burgas on the E87. It has the reputation of being an excellent birding area with a variety of habitats, but I was disappointed as I was not able to find access to the woodlands. The whole area was fenced from the road and I was unable to find the access to the marsh at the northern end at Arkuitno . As this is a Ramsar site with written permission required from the Ministry of Environment before entering except at specific points, I was reluctant to cross fences or closed gates. At the southern end, the E87 crosses the river and immediately to the left (east) there is jetty where one can hire boats down to the river mouth. There is limited access to the woodland at this point.

ITINERARY

25th May 2004
I arrived at the hotel in the early hours of the morning after driving the hour or so from the airport. After breakfast I travelled north to Cape Emine and in the afternoon south down the E87 to Pomorie Lake, stopping at Aheloi on the way.

26th May 2004
A day around some of the Burgas Lakes, birding Pomorie Lake, Atanasovo Lake and the BSPB reserve at Poda.

27th May 2004
I travelled north along the E87 to both sections of the Kamchia Biosphere Reserve, stopping off at Goritza Forest on the way.

28th May 2004
I drove south to Ropotamo, stopping at Alepu on the way south and at Chengene Skele on the way back north. I circuited Mandra lake before returning back to Elenite via Pomorie Lake.

29th May 2004
Return visits to Cape Emine in the morning and Atanasovo Lake and Pomorie Lake in the afternoon.

30th May 2004
A very early morning start to drive north to Cape Kaliakra, arriving there by 8.30pm, then on to Shabla.

31st May 2004
I checked out of the hotel in the morning and travelled south to visit Burgas Lake and the BSPB reserve at Poda. Heavy rain showers curtailed birding in the late afternoon so I returned the rental car and checked in at the airport for the return flight.

SPECIES LIST

References to Cape Emine include the approach road beyond where the road crosses over the stream and passes through woodland.

Little Grebe                                Tachybaptus ruficollis ruficollis
Small numbers at Alepu 28th and on Burgas Lake 31st

Great Crested Grebe                  Podiceps cristatus cristatus
Small numbers at Alepu 28th and on Burgas Lake 31st

Pygmy Cormorant                      Phalacrocorax pygmeus
(Near Threatened)
A small breeding colony at the southern end of the lake at Alepu 28th

Great Cormorant                         Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis
Common in all coastal locations

European Shag                           Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii
Small breeding colony at Cape Kaliakra 30th

Great White Pelican                            Pelecanus onocrotalus
Flock of 200 in a field at the western end on Burgas Lake 31st

Dalmatian Pelican                     Pelecanus crispus
(Conservation Dependent)
1 immature at Poda 26th              

Mute Swan                                 Cygnus olor
Small numbers of non-breeders in suitable habitat eg 6 at Poda 26th

Common Shelduck                    Tadorna tadorna
Common

Gadwall                                      Anas strepera
1's and 2's at Atanasovo Lake 26th & 29th, Shabla Lake 30th, Burgas Lake 31st

Eurasian Teal                             Anas crecca
4 at Poda 26th

Mallard                                       Anas platyrhynchos
Common in suitable habitat

Northern Pintail                          Anas acuta
2 Atanasovo Lake 26th

Garganey                                    Anas querquedula
2 Atanasovo Lake 29th, 6 Shabla Lake 30th, 10 Burgas Lake 31st

Northern Shoveler                     Anas clypeata
2 Shabla Lake 30th

Red-crested Pochard                 Netta rufina
1M Shabla Lake 30th

Common Pochard                      Aythya ferina
2 Poda 26th & 31st, 6 Shabla Lake 30th, 20+ Burgas lake 31st

Ferruginous Pochard                 Aythya nyroca
(Near Threatened)
10 Shabla Lake 30th, 3 Burgas Lake 31st

Tufted Duck                                Aythya fuligula
4 Shabla Lake 30th

Little Egret                                  Egretta garzetta garzetta
Common in suitable habitat

Grey Heron                                 Ardea cinerea cinerea
Common in suitable habitat

Purple Heron                              Ardea purpurea purpurea
Breeding colony at Poda and singles at Atanasovo Lake 26th & 29th

Squacco Heron                           Ardeola ralloides
Common in suitable habitat

Black-crowned Night-Heron      Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax
Breeding colony at Poda and 2 at Camping Evropa Marsh 28th & 29th

Little Bittern                                Ixobrychus minutus minutus
1 Aheloi 25th

Glossy Ibis                                  Plegadis falcinellus
1 Poda 31st

Eurasian Spoonbill                    Platalea leucorodia leucorodia
2 Poda 26th & 31st, 2 Alepu 28th, 6 Shabla Lake 30th

White Stork                                 Ciconia ciconia ciconia
Common

European Honey-buzzard           Pernis apivorus
2 Cape Emine 29th

Western Marsh-Harrier                Circus aeruginosus aeruginosus
Common in suitable habitat

Eurasian Sparrowhawk              Accipiter nisus nisus
1 Kavarna 30th

Common Buzzard                       Buteo buteo buteo
1 Cape Emine 25th

Long-legged Buzzard                 Buteo rufinus rufinus
1 Atanasovo Lake 26th, singles seen off E87 27th and 30th

Lesser Spotted Eagle                 Aquila pomarina pomarina
1 Cape Emine 29th, 1 being mobbed by Hobby Burgas Lake 31st

Eurasian Kestrel                         Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus
Fairly common

Eurasian Hobby                          Falco subbuteo subbuteo
Common - seen o five days

Common Quail                          Coturnix coturnix coturnix
1 flushed from roadside by Atanasovo Lake parking area 26th

Common Moorhen                     Gallinula chloropus chloropus
A few Mandra lake 28th were only ones seen

Eurasian Coot                             Fulica atra atra
Small numbers in suitable habitat

Spotted Redshank                     Tringa erythropus
1 Pomorie Lake 29th

Common Greenshank                Tringa nebularia
1 Atanasovo Lake 26th

Wood Sandpiper                                 Tringa glareola
5 Shabla Lake 30th

Sanderling                                  Calidris alba
4 Pomorie Lake 28th

Little Stint                                   Calidris minuta
Flocks of up to 25 in suitable habitat

Dunlin                                         Calidris alpina
9 Pomorie Lake 25th, 6 Poda 31st

Curlew Sandpiper                               Calidris ferruginea
1 Pomorie Lake 31st

Black-winged Stilt                      Himantopus himantopus
Common in suitable habitat

Pied Avocet                                Recurvirostra avosetta
Common in suitable habitat

Collared Pratincole                   Glareola pratincola pratincola
20 Shabla Lake 30th

Little Ringed Plover                    Charadrius dubius
2 Kamchia 27th, 1 Alepu 29th, 2 Shabla Beach 30th

Kentish Plover                            Charadrius alexandrinus
3 Pomorie Lake 25th, 2 Alepu 28th

Northern Lapwing                       Vanellus Vanellus
1 Atanasovo Lake 26th & 29th, 1 Shabla Lake 30th

Caspian Gull                               Larus cachinnans
Common and widespread

Black-headed Gull                     Larus ridibundus
Seen only at Shabla Lake 30th and Burgas Lake 31st

Whiskered Tern                          Chlidonias hybridus hybridus
Fairly common in small numbers in suitable habitat

White-winged Tern                     Chlidonias leucopterus
2 Burgas Lake 31st

Black Tern                                  Chlidonias niger niger
20 Atanasovo Lake 26th, 10 Shabla Lake 30th, 20+ Burgas Lake 31st

Sandwich Tern                           Sterna sandvicensis sandvicensis
2 Chengene Skele 28th, 3 Elenite 31st

Common Tern                             Sterna hirundo hirundo
Small breeding colonies in suitable habitat eg Poda

Little Tern                                   Sterna albifrons albifrons
Small numbers Pomorie Lake 25th, Poda 26th & 31st, Atanasovo Lake 29th

Rock/Feral Dove                        Columba livia
Common in urban areas

European Turtle-Dove                 Streptopelia turtur turtur
Common in suitable habitat

Eurasian Collared-Dove              Streptopelia decaocto decaocto
Seen only north of Varna on 30th

Common Cuckoo                       Cuculus canorus canorus
Common

Alpine Swift                                Tachymarptis melba melba
20+ Cape Kaliakra 30th

Common Swift                            Apus apus apus
Common

Pallid Swift                                 Apus pallidus brehmorn
1+ Elenite 25th, 3+ Cape Kaliakra 30th

European Bee-eater                   Merops apiaster
Fairly common in small numbers

European Roller                         Coracias garrulus garrulous
1 Elenite 25th, 1 Atanasovo Lake 26th

Eurasian Hoopoe                       Upupa epops epops
Fairly common

Eurasian Wryneck                      Jynx torquilla torquilla
1 Ropotamo 28th

Middle Spotted Woodpecker     Dendrocopos medius medius
4 Goritza Forest 27th, 2 Ropotamo 28th

Great Spotted Woodpecker       Dendrocopos major candidus
2 Goritza Forest 27th, 3 Cape Emine 29th

Syrian Woodpecker                    Dendrocopos syriacus syriacus
1 Cape Emine 25th, 1 Poda 26th, 3 Goritza Forest 27th, 1 Shabla 30th

Eurasian Jay                               Garrulus glandarius
Common in wooded habitat

Eurasian Magpie                         Pica pica galliae
Common

Eurasian Jackdaw                      Corvus monedula soemmerringii
Common

Hooded Crow                              Corvus cornix
Common

Eurasian Golden-Oriole             Oriolus oriolus oriolus
Common in suitable habitat

Red-backed Shrike                     Lanius collurio collurio
Common

Lesser Grey Shrike                    Lanius minor minor
2 Cape Emine 25th & 29th, 1 Atanasovo Lake 26th, 1 Mandra Lake 28th, 6 Cape Kaliakra 30th

Woodchat Shrike                       Lanius senator senator
5+ Cape Emine 25th & 29th, 1 Atanasovo Lake 26th,

Eurasian Blackbird                    Turdus merula aterrimus
Fairly common in wooded habitats

Song Thrush                               Turdus philomelos philomelos
Fairly common in wooded habitats

Rosy Starling                              Sturnus roseus
50 Cape Kaliakra 30th

European Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
Common

Collared Flycatcher                   Ficedula albicollis
1M Cape Emine 29th

Semicollared Flycatcher           Ficedula semitorquata
3 Goritza Forest 27th, 2 Ropotamo 28th

European Robin                          Erithacus rubecula balcanicus
Fairly common in wooded habitats

Common Nightingale                  Luscinia megarhynchos megarhynchos
Common

Common Redstart                       Phoenicurus phoenicurus phoenicurus
1♀ Cape Emine 29th

Northern Wheatear                     Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe
4 Cape Emine 25th & 29th

Pied Wheatear                           Oenanthe pleschanka
15+ Cape Kaliakra 30th

Isabelline Wheatear                            Oenanthe isabellina
1 Cape Kaliakra 30th

Eurasian Nuthatch                     Sitta europaea caesia
4 Goritza Forest 27th,

Short-toed Treecreeper             Certhia brachydactyla brachydactyla
2 Goritza Forest 27th, 1 Kamchia 27th,

Sand Martin                                Riparia riparia riparia
Common

Eurasian Crag-Martin                 Hirundo rupestris rupestris
3 Cape Emine 25th and 1 there on 29th

Barn Swallow                             Hirundo rustica rustica
Common

Red-rumped Swallow                 Hirundo daurica rufula
1 Cape Emine 29th

House Martin                              Delichon urbica urbica
Common

Cetti's Warbler                            Cettia cetti cetti
1 Atanasovo Lake 26th & 29th

Paddyfield Warbler                             Acrocephalus agricola septima
Singing M Shabla 30th

Eurasian Reed-Warbler             Acrocephalus scirpaceus scirpaceus
Common in suitable habitat

Marsh Warbler                            Acrocephalus palustris
1 Mandra Lake 28th

Great Reed-Warbler                   Acrocephalus arundinaceus arundinaceus
Common in suitable habitat

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler       Hippolais pallida
Fairly common in suitable habitat

Olive-tree Warbler                      Hippolais olivetorum
1M seen well Cape Emine 29th, 2 heard there on 25th but not seen

Icterine Warbler                         Hippolais icterina
1 Cape Emine 25th, 1 Atanasovo Lake 26th

Common Chiffchaff                    Phylloscopus collybita
1 Kamchia 27th

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler          Phylloscopus orientalis
1 Cape Emine 29th

Blackcap                                     Sylvia atricapilla atricapilla
1 Cape Emine 25th

Greater Whitethroat                   Sylvia communis volgensis
Common in suitable habitat

Eastern Orphean Warbler          Sylvia crassirostris
1 Cape Emine 25th

Bearded Reedling                               Panurus biarmicus biarmicus
3 Atanasovo Lake 26th & 2 on 29th

Marsh Tit                                     Poecile palustris stagnatilis
2 Ropotamo 28th

Sombre Tit                                  Poecile lugubris lugubris
2 Cape Emine 29th

Great Tit                                     Parus major major
Fairly common in wooded habitats

Eurasian Blue Tit                        Cyanistes caeruleus caeruleus
2 Goritza Forest 27th,

Eurasian Penduline-Tit              Remiz pendulinus pendulinus
Pair visiting nest Mandra Lake 28th

Calandra Lark                             Melanocorypha calandra calandra
2 near Banja 27th, common Cape Kaliakra 30th

Greater Short-toed Lark              Calandrella brachydactyla brachydactyla
4+ Kamchia 27th, 5 Cape Kaliakra 30th

Crested Lark                               Galerida cristata
Common

Wood Lark                                  Lullula arborea pallida
2 Cape Emine 25th & 29th

Sky Lark                                     Alauda arvensis cantarella
2 Atanasovo Lake 26th

House Sparrow                           Passer domesticus domesticus
Common

Spanish Sparrow                       Passer hispaniolensis hispaniolensis
Common

Eurasian Tree Sparrow               Passer montanus montanus
6 Pomorie Lake 25th, 10+ Kamchia 27th

White Wagtail                             Motacilla alba alba
1 Elenite 25th, 2 Ropotamo 28th, 2 Cape Kaliakra 30th

Yellow (Black-headed) Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg
Pair Atanasovo Lake 26th

Tawny Pipit                                Anthus campestris campestris
1 Atanasovo Lake 26th, 2 Cape Emine 29th, 2 Cape Kaliakra 30th

Tree Pipit                                    Anthus trivialis trivialis
1 Atanasovo Lake 26th

Chaffinch                                    Fringilla coelebs coelebs
Common

European Greenfinch                 Carduelis chloris
Common

European Goldfinch                   Carduelis carduelis aurantiiventris
Common

Common Rosefinch                   Carpodacus erythrinus erythrinus
1 Pomorie Lake 25th

Hawfinch                                    Coccothraustes coccothraustes coccothraustes
Common in suitable habitat

Cirl Bunting                                Emberiza cirlus cirlus
1M Cape Emine 25th

Black-headed Bunting               Emberiza melanocephala
Common

Reed Bunting                              Emberiza schoeniclus canetti
2 Shabla 30th

Corn Bunting                              Emberiza calandra
Common in suitable habitat

 
141 SPECIES

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