2007 Tour Narrative
What a way to kick off a new tour! Our many highlights included flocks of Calandra Larks on our first day, with Saker Falcons and Montagu’s and Marsh Harriers in attendance. The next day’s fall of Sylvia warblers was equally exciting, with hundreds of Blackcaps and Common Whitethroats the most common species; it was great to see good numbers of Lesser Whitethroats and Spotted Flycatchers, in addition to our first Red-breasted Flycatchers and two very showy Thrush Nightingales. The Boleta experience was further enhanced by Golden Orioles in the double digits, 8 Squacco Herons, a Ferruginous Duck, Levant Sparrowhawk, and the constant presence of Alpine Swifts and Bee-eaters overhead. Nearby we recorded both Pied and Isabelline Wheatears, several Tawny Pipits, more Turtle Doves than many of us in the UK see in a year, and numerous roadside Rollers, Hoopoes and Red-backed Shrikes.
We managed to see six species of woodpecker, including Middle and Lesser Spotted, Gray-headed, and Syrian. The woodlands held Short-toed Treecreeper and a couple of Sombre Tits. Passerine migration was dominated by hundreds of Yellow Wagtails and swallows heading south with smaller numbers of Tree Pipits (seemingly never landing!). A short drive away from our hotel, we connected with Eagle Owl, always a treat, and the experience was made all the more enjoyable by hearing two birds call to each other.
The large bird migration for which the Black Sea coast is so special seemed slow to begin with, but by the time we reached Bourgas we were rewarded with over 3,000 White Pelicans on two days and 4,000 White Storks on one day. Among the pelicans were plenty of Dalmatians for a great comparison, and we all appreciated the privilege of seeing such a rare bird. Raptor variety was superb with Lesser Spotted, Short-toed, Booted and White-tailed Eagles, Pallid, Montagu’s and Marsh Harriers, Levant Sparrowhawks, Goshawk, and by our last day a couple of reasonable flocks of Honey Buzzards.
The Bourgas lakes were stacked with birds, thousands of Coots outnumbering the hundreds of Garganey, Ferruginous Duck, and scores of herons including Squacco and Purple. Shorebirds featured most days, and few will forget the spectacle of six Broad-billed Sandpipers with lots of Wood and Curlew Sandpipers, Ruff, Little Stints and Dunlin nearby. These were a lovely mix of worn adults and immaculate juvenile birds, supplemented by over 50 Marsh Sandpipers one day and small numbers of Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers and Temminck’s Stints. Hundreds of Common Terns were also present, as well as many Blacks, several Whiskered, Caspian, Gull-billed, and one juvenile White-winged Black. Nearby we saw hundreds of Mediterranean and Little Gulls, as well as some Slender-billed Gulls for a great comparison.
Elsewhere we caught up with Pygmy Cormorant, Quail, Horned and Red-necked Grebes, Arctic Loon, Osprey, Collared Pratincole, Red-rumped Swallow, Icterine and Wood Warblers, Lesser Gray and Woodchat Shrikes, and Penduline Tit.
This was all managed in a very enjoyable, relaxed fashion, allowing us plenty of time to take in the superb scenery, unspoiled habitat, varied weather (the lightning storms were dramatic!), and some great food. All of this was thanks to Nikolay, who looked after us superbly from start to finish, making the leader’s job an absolute dream!
James Lidster
Updated: February 2008