Bulgaria, October Half term 2026

After an overnight at Luton airport on Thursday night we arrived in Varna mid-afternon on Friday and collected some supplies, including Dylan and a new strimmer for the week. 

We have then spent the last two days working on the plot, building up the bank of the pond, strimming the meadow and fixing up the caravan. 

I managed to get in a bit of plot birding this morning HERE and also had the moth trap on last night. Birding highlights including Hen Harrier over the plot, good numbers of Hawfinches and Bramblings, Barn Owl over the road last night on the way back from the Mopko and a couple of Red-throated Pipits going over.

Juv Hen Harrier over the plot

Hawfinch in the plot

Flounced Chestnut was the highlight in the moth trap. All recent observations HERE. 

Jacob found this European Mantis while we were working on the meadow . Also lots of voles in the meadow and a couple of rats had decided to hibernate in our caravan gas cupboard and our tool box

The meadow before (above) and after (below) . We haven't been able to cut this for a couple of years due to mechanical problems but a new Husqvana stimmer has now saved the day. The aim is to generate a more species rich meadow. 

We've raised the level of the pond with the use of some sand bag bunds (above and below) 

The caravan is no almost liveable - our first 'dinner'. We have still been staying in the nearby Mamoza guesthouse while getting it all ready. Tomorrow Jacob and I move in!