Tuesday 19 September 2023

Bulgaria Day Two

I got up at 5am to do the moth trap on the plot and then Arjun and I started the birding day off at Cape Kaliakra Ebird list here, the highlights including Honey and Steppe Buzzard going over and plenty of common migrants. There were 60+ Yelkouan Shearwaters close off shore mainly looking like in heavy moult. 

In the afternoon Arjun started his survey work and we did some birding round Kamen Bryag, highlights included Osprey, Lesser Spotted Eagle, still plenty of Red-breasted Flycatchers, a Black Redstart and an Isabelline Wheatear in with Northern Wheatears on the Steppe. 

As it was my birthday we went to the Mopko for dinner and wine in the evening. 

 
Juvenile Red-backed Shrike 
Red-breasted Flycatcher. We spoke to some other birders and estimated 150 in selected areas at Durankulak, Shabla Tusla, Kamen Bryag and the Cape so if we were to extrapolate across all the suitable areas in the region there could be over 1000 birds along this stretch of coastline quite easily. Certainly the most prominent migrant at the moment. 
Spotted Flycatcher- good numbers of these too but only had one Pied Flycatcher so far
Willow Warbler, plenty of Phylloscs about with Chiff slightly out numbering Willow 
The moth trap has been heaving but will take me some time to sort out the identifications. Seems to be plenty of migrants with plenty of classics that I'm familiar with back home including Convolvulus Hawkmoths, Diamond-backs, Rush Veneers, Rusty-dot Pearls, Delicates, Scarce-bordered Straws, Olive Pearl, Small Mottled Willows etc. The large distinctive noctuid above is one I remember from a trip out in here in 2019- if not mistaken it is Dumeril's Rustic  Luperina dumerilii which has actually been recorded in the UK as a vagrant . 021023 update- yes I am mistaken this is actually Cervyna cervago. A first for Bulgaria I-Nat project. 
The Geometrician

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