We started off the day looking for migrating raptors in the mountains. Unfortunately un-forecasted mist, low cloud and fog meant that there was poor thermal activity and visibility resulting in us seeing no soaring birds. There were 100s of Skylarks and White Wagtails, Yellow Wagtails, the odd Red-throated Pipit, Tree Pipits, Woodlarks and lots of Crested Larks. As the conditions were poor we decided to move south to Burgas.
On the way we had this Little Owl (Presumably Cucumiau)
Attempting to check in to the hotel was thwarted by going ons overhead. The weather conditions had improved and obviously things started to move- big time.
Black Storks- over 2000 flew south in a 2-3 hours
White Pelicans- 4000+ went south
Lesser Spotted Eagles, we estimated 4500 of these
Black Storks, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Marsh Harrier (6 today and 1 ring-tail)
Short-toed Eagles- about 40 of these. The birds were very high- (see video below) but zooming in, and a bit of work on photoshop elements on the 7D shots provide identification pics
A tiny dot in the sky reveals itself as a female Red-footed Falcon- about 120 of these
There's enough detail here to show a male Lesser Kestrel (note protruding central tail feathers and pale underwing). A handful of these.
Common Buzzard-1500 going south
Booted Eagle- only this one
Honey Buzzard- about 80 of these
Short-toed Eagles (higher) and Honey Buzzard
Red-foots
Red-throated Pipit
We moved to the salt pan view point
Dylan's video
Todays totals:
Lesser Spotted eagles 4500 Short toed eagles 40 Booted Eagle 1 l.f. Common Buzzards - 1500 Honey Buzzards 80 Red-footed falcons 120 Common Kestrels 1+ Lesser Kestrel, 10 Hobby 2 Sparrowhawks 50 Marsh harriers 2000 Black Storks 1800 White Pelicans 4000 White storks 3
Also 4 Greater Flamingo, 3 Spoonbill, 5+ Slender-billed Gull, 2000+ Barn Swallow, 1000+ Med Gull, 1 Little Gull, 700+ White Wagtail and 5 Red-throated Pipit
Thanks to Dimiter and Marina for a great day.
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