Sunday 5 December 2010

Shipka- Bulgaria






In Bulgaria now visiting family and squeezing in a wild goose chase later in the week. I had a walk in the agricultural land west of Shipka with the old man. It was a classic eastern european agro-ecosystem with large flocks of Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings, Skylarks, Tree Sparrows, Starlings and smaller numbers of Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Linnet. Hen Harriers, Ravens and Common Buzzards were dotted about the landscape and the odd Long-legged Buzzard was on patrol. There was also Syrain Woodpecker in the walnuts, Crested Lark on the tracks and Sombre Tits in the orchards. Well I say Sombre Tits (pic 3) - did not know they had pale secondary panel and always thought the head and bib looked browner than these birds- they looked odd- i thought they were Willow Tit at first but the bib is far too big?. A showy Great Grey Shrike was the bird of day complete with mouse larder.
A blinking Common Crane was on the lake today at the farm!!!!!! http://dodge007.blogspot.com/2010/12/lads-ive-got-fckin-crane-here.html
More from Bulgaria here: http://peteralfrey.blogspot.com/

2 comments:

john said...

Great photos, especially the shrikes. Since I'm not so familiar with Europe's shrikes, what species was the top photo, and what species was set against the church spires?

Peter Alfrey said...

Its the same bird- Great Grey Shrike. Although I am not sure of the particular race of which there are a few in Europe/WP.