Back to Bulgaria

Back to Bulgaria and the Balkan Ecology Project for the next week. PREVIOUSLY IN BULGARIA

Spent today having a look west of the village, a bit round the garden and the evening on the Shipka birding road.

As usual the abundance of wildlife is staggering; Turtle Doves, Cuckoos, Corn Buntings, Skylarks, Tree Sparrows, Red-backed Shrikes, Golden Orioles, Hoopoes, Black-headed Buntings, Quails, Hawfinches, Syrian Woodpeckers, Black-headed Wagtails, Tawny Pipits, Crested Larks,  Isabelline Wheatears, Red-rumped Swallows, Alpine Swifts, Long-legged Buzzards and an abundance of butterflies, insects, wildflowers, lizards, snakes, hares and Sousliks all within walking distance of the house. 

Here's a few photos from today:

  Hoopoe

 Red-backed Shrike

 Tawny Pipit

 House Martins 

 Isabelline Wheatear (with some missing feathers) 

 Juvenile Red-backed Shrike 

 Ex-communist factory- 1000+ House Martin colony based here now 

 Steppe Habitat in the Valley of the Roses- Salvias, Mullein, Corn Marigolds and Corncockles in the foreground 

 I like it here

Herping 

 Smooth Snake (female) 

 Grass Snake (male) 

Beautiful Demoseille (male) 

Spurge Hawk Moth caterpillar

 Some insects to identify (any help much appreciated)