Winter Tour

Bulgaria: overwintering Red-breasted geese
and other waterfowl, plus mammals by night

7, nights, 8 birding days

Dates:
January 25 to February 1,
February 1-8, February 8 to 15,
February 15 to 22 and February 22 to March 1, 2009

Group Size: 8

Walking: Easy

Description: The spectacle of many thousands of overwintering Red-breasted Geese is the central theme to this exclusive winter tour to the western coastal zone of the Black Sea. Large concentrations of White-fronts plus a few of the exceedingly rare Lesser White-fronted Geese are present, plus a large array of waterfowl including divers, grebes and ducks (Shelduck, White-headed Duck, Ferruginous Duck and Smew). If your appetite isn't already wetted how about a follow up cast that includes Pygmy Cormorant and Bittern plus several notable raptors: White-tailed, and Spotted Eagles, Merlin, Rough-legged and Long-legged Buzzards. If the weather permits, we shall also travel up to the Srebarna Biosphere reserve (UNESCO site) by the Danube, for close views of Dalmatian Pelicans in breeding plumage. There is good chance of an Eagle Owl and outside possibility of Greater Black-headed Gull. Woodpeckers are well represented (White-backed, Grey-headed, Black, Syrian and Middle Spotted), other passerines including Sombre Tit, Crested and Calandra Larks, Great Grey Shrike and, with luck, Lapland and Pine Buntings.
For a winter tour the overall bird list is outstanding. Romanian brackish lagoons Sinoe, Zmeica, Histria and Vadu, in the southern part of the Danube Delta, will be the major hot spots to be explored along the Romanian Black Sea coast. Bulgarian coastal Lakes Durankulak and Shabla in the north, and Vaya (Bourgas lake) and Atanasovsko in the south are principal wetlands visited, with the steppes of Cape Kaliakra and riparian forests of Kamchia broadening the habitat theme.
Mammals (including three species of Dolphins)are also on the agenda, searched for after dark aided by powerful spotlight. Jackal, Raccoon Dog, Marbled and Steppe Polecats are our main targets, all being relatively common.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Following your flight to Varna (via Sofia) you will be met by your knowledgeable local guide, then make the 40 mile journey by minibus to our exceedingly comfortable lakeside accommodation at Branta Birding Lodge , near Durankulak, where we will enjoy its splendid overview and exclusive exhibition including detailed photographic and cartographic materials.

Days 2 - 5: Lakes Durankulak and Shabla, two brackish wetlands surrounded by arable lands, present impressive gatherings of overwintering waterfowl. The spectacle of flying and feeding Red-breasted Geese is the main attraction, with Black-throated Diver, Black-necked Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Great Egret, Bittern, White-fronted, Greylag and possible Lesser White-fronted Geese, Ferruginous Duck and Smew also present. Three species of swans (including Bewick if you are lucky) should be seen. Spotted Eagle is the top raptor looked for, Rough-legged and Long-legged Buzzards and Merlin also on the cards.
Syrian Woodpecker, Great Grey Shrike, Brambling, Bearded Tit, and the very rare Pine Bunting are among small passerines of interest, and gatherings of gulls will be examined for Great Black-headed Gull.
An excursion to Srebarna Lake (if the weather permits) by the River Danube features unforgetable views of Dalmatian Pelicans.
From Cape Kaliakra Shag, Mediterranean Shearwater and even Arctic Skua may be spotted, with Crested and Calandra Larks occurring in surrounding steppe habitat. A late afternoon visit to a gorge presents chance of an Eagle Owl, and after-dark spotlighting excursions are undertaken in search of nocturnal predatory mammals.

A day trip to Romania features unforgettable views of Dalmatian Pelicans, Red-breasted Geese and White-tailed Eagle. In addition to species already seen we may add the exceedingly rare Pallas's Gull. This option is entirely weather dependent.

Days 5, 6 & 7: Heading south to our next base we visit the alluvial forests of Kamchia where Grey-headed, Black and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers are of primary interest, and Short-toed Treecreeper and Nuthatch should be seen.
Locations are also visited where Sombre Tit is resident and, approaching Pomorie, a variety of waders are seen in the salinas (salt pans).
From this base the outstanding wetlands of Lakes Vaya and Atanasovsko are visited, featuring both species of pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, White-headed Duck (possibly 1000 or more), Ruddy Shelduck (also possible), Gadwall and other wildfowl. Pallid Harriers, Spotted and White-tailed Eagles are among raptors we hope to see. Further south we visit Strandja Natural Park, where we look for White-backed Woodpecker.
By way of cultural diversion we shall also make a visit to the ancient town of Nessebar.

Day 8: Following breakfast we travel directly to the airport for your return flight

About the tours

Leadership
Pavel Simeonov leads most of the tours personally. He is one of Bulgaria's leading naturalists and ornithologists, one of the Swarovski Recommended Bird Guides. Being actively involved with conservation programmes at national and international level Pavel is able to provide a wealth of background information on wildlife matters, and indeed on cultural topics. He has conducted numerous trips as a bird-guide and leader. Qualified as an international expert on environmental and biodiversity conservation projects he is also the founder of the Le Balkan-Bulgaria birdwatching organization.

Accommodation

*** Byalata Kashta Hotel (2 nights) near Burgas, which is a highly attractive and recently restored, private establishment with 15 en suite twin-bedded rooms complete with TV.
You will have breakfast and dinner at a folk-tavern offering traditional Bulgarian cuisine.

Transport:

We provide 4WD vehicles that will allow penetrating into the best-concealed and isolated spots.

Price includes:
Accommodation
B & B in twin rooms;
Seven nights dinner;
Packed lunches days 2 and 6
Drinks: mineral water, fizzy drinks including Coca Cola, tea/coffee
Transportation by 7 or 14-seater minibus (4WD);
All excursions plus transfers in Bulgaria;
Guidance;

Price excludes:
Lunch on days 1 & 8;
Alcoholic drinks and tips;
Transport to and from Bulgaria;
Single Room Supplement (Euro 65)

Air Travel
This is entirely optional leaving you completely free to make personally your flight reservations and to pursue your travel arrangements with an airline company or your own travel agent.

Please contact us if you would like further clarification: info@branta-tours.com

Book now!

Back