Unfortunately the Bulgaria 2021 spring trip comes to an end. I spent the last morning at Cape Kaliakra before having to travel back to UK . Ebird list HERE (including a few uploaded sounds too). No new species for the trip list which ends on 172 (as I was working a two week trip list of 200+ appears an achievable target). Wasn't expecting a world tick but Great Snipe now puts me on 2933 (IOC) and 705 for WP (Netfugl).
Highlight of the morning was listening to the song of a Thrush Nightingale literally at my feet.
There wasn't a lot of migration this morning and I was beginning to think that it was all drawing to end of season but speaking to Dave Lambert (who is currently working in Saudi) and following a few blogs etc from the Middle East it appears that there's still a wave of migrants to come through with huge numbers of River Warblers and Corncrakes, waders and Honey Buzzards peaking there during this week so presumably still to pass along the Via Pontica (the western Black Sea flyway). With different suites of migrants moving at different periods between March and May seems like any two week trip will be a snap shot of the whole spectacle- meaning plenty of scope for altering timing and duration of future trips.
An excellent trip, exciting (dangerous!) and varied and many thanks to Bulgarian friends and family ; Dimiter from NEOPHRON BIRD TOURS, brother and gang at the BALKAN ECOLOGY PROJECT, Anton from BULGARIAN REPTILES (All our herping was under licence btw) and a special thanks to SACHA BARBATO at Travel Counsellors for sorting out all the covid and post Brexit logistics (it was a minefield!). Sacha is a birder and travel agent so can help out with any independent birding travellers to any location.
Can't wait to get back out to Bulgaria for the autumn migration! In future we are going to running various projects, tours, events etc so if interested in joining in please let me know and watch this space for more details and check out the above links for current trips and courses etc.
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