Bulgaria, Autumn 2024, Day Five

Unfortunately today was our last day here. A last minute short trip dictated by finally being able to get a water connection and the pond liner to the site and having to be back for work commitments. Looks like I didn't pay my electricity bill too as we now have water but the electicity was cut off meaning we couldn't do the moth trapping. Also the strimmer packed up working so we didn't get the meadow management done. We are already planning (better planning!) a Spring trip in April to sort everything out. 

The brisk cold north wind was blowing again so we stayed around Kamen Bryag and birded the sheltered parts of the oak wood and gardens. Ebird list HERE . We then went on a twitch to the neighbouring village of Sveti Nikola. Laughing Doves bred in the communal farm buildings this year and the family was still around last week. However we somehow managed to dip these. Come to think of it, this trip was a bit of a disaster- topped off by the car hire company trying to scam us of 400 euro, which we needed the fraud department of our bank and the local police to resolve. All good fun! 

Trip Report HERE. We had no rarity finds (201024 update- we had a rare moth, Feathered Brindle- the first for the Bulgaria I-Nat recording scheme) although Grey-headed Woodpecker might have been a bit of a local mega as Pavel has only seen one in 45 years in the vicinity but there are several Ebird records HERE in the Dobrich region. Takes the project Ebird hotspot bird list to 169 HERE. The bird of the trip was the locustella that got away and only 121 species recorded overall. In short, not that great but a good crack nonetheless.  Probably best to concentrate on that good planning for the Spring trip!  

A bit of back ground to this project HERE. 

A cracking Black Stork over the oak wood

Another gorgeous Red-breasted Fly. Our ebird tally was 16 of these (although Ebird can double count birds on the same site on different times) but what with birds moving through, in this instance probably not far off that. 

Lots of Jays in the village collecting acorns from the oak wood 

Green toad at the guesthouse 

We spent the afternoon getting on with the pond. Managed to build up a bank and get it filled up. The liner we could get loally was only 8 x 12 meters (the excavation was 14 x 12 meters). We got a quote for shipping a 14 x 12 meter from the UK but the difference was £3500 plus import costs etc and no time frame for delivery or £700 for the smaller local one so we settled for a smaller pond then planned but still happy with it considering all the constraints. In the Spring will need to order some cobbles to place around the edges and then trim off the excess liner. Will be interesting to see how it settles over the winter. Dragonflies were already using it and there were already water beetles colonising.  

Bulgaria, Autumn 2024, Day Four

We started the day off at Cape Kaliakra. There had been a sudden change in the weather with a moderate north wind blowing and temperatures plummeting overnight. It more or less put the knackers on vis-mig with only 52 species HERE and not many highlights. Black Stork was new for trip and the Sardinian Warblers (we've had up to 5 on the peninsula) were showing again. 

In the afternoon we met up with Pavel at Lake Durankulak and had the usual fun 4 x 4 safari across the reserve. A more respectful 68 species HERE with some nice highlights including Dalmation Pelican, Pygmy Cormorants, Merlin, Purple Herons and a frustrating locustella warbler on the beach that flew out of shin-high vegetation into the reeds at dusk. Pavel had seen the same bird a few days before and it was so close to him feeding on the ground that he couldn't focus his camera on it. Either a Grasshopper Warbler or one of it's more exciting eastern counterparts. The bird of the trip either way as Gropper is a vagrant to the region too. 

Ebird trip report HERE

Male Sardinian Warbler- I've not recorded these on previous Spring and Autumn trips in this area. There are several records in the late autumn from the Cape on Ebird and the Birds of the World distribution map show this area as the northern limits of it's range in this region.

Firecrest- a few Goldcrests and a couple of Firecrests 

A rather drab Chiffchaff, presumably something along the trisits cline. Didn't hear it call.

A standard Chiffchaff- there were good numbers of these, according to our Ebird trip report we had 128 in total, but despite intensive searching and checking we couldn't find a Yellow-browed. Was hoping sprites might be under-recorded in this region (a Pallas's was caught at Chituc to the north this week and a Dusky was caught at Agigea too while a Radde's was found in Cyrpus) but apart from the one Pavel found and we dipped it really doesn't look like they are numerous on the Black Sea coast from our small soiree. Maybe they really do go further north across the Taiga belt towards north west Europe and Britain and are genuinally rare in Eastern Europe despite the logical presumption. 

There were still a few Willow Warblers around. We certainly picked up the tail of the earlier autumn migration with Alpine Swifts (below), Red-backed Shrike, Red-breasted Flys, Common Redstarts, Hoopoe, Nightjar, White and Black Storks, Osprey, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Barn Swallows, Tree and Red-throated Pipits amongst the hoards of Chaffinches and late autumn migrants

We had several groups of Alpine Swifts which were always at considerable height implying they were migrating and not feeding 

Sparrowhawks were on the move with up to 20 birds 

Pygmy Cormorant- as usual they were pretty numerous in the reeds around Durankulak

Ferruginous Duck- the only one we had

Dalmation Pelican- not a bad one to get in this area but they breed on the Danube to the north and winter at Burgas to the south 

Quite a bit of wildfowl migration going on offshore with hundreds of Pintail and Shoveler - surpisingly we didn't see any evidence of this off Cape Kaliakra but it was a constant feature from Shabla north implying birds were moving further off shore

Little Rings and Dunlin- was quite surprised to find these plovers presumably wintering birds 

Bulgaria, Autumn 2024, Day Three

As usual we started the day at Cape Kaliakra at dawn. It was a lot slower today in a southerly warm wind. Seems like the northwesterly of the previous two days was much better for visible migration. Only 52 species in the usual four hours, Ebird list HERE . There was basically less of all overhead passage apart from Corn Buntings with an increase today. Highlights included 5 Sardinian Wabler including a female, 2 Woodlark, Serin, Yellowhammer and 5 Red-breasted Flycatchers. 

At lunchtine, Kojak and I went to Kavarna to do a bit of shopping and also put the strimmer in for a service as it broke down yesterday meaning we didn't finish the meadow hay cut. Will need to return in early spring to get that done- I told the mechanic I'll be back in April to pick up the strimmer which he seemed okay with (he acted like six months was about the usual waiting time anyway in these parts).

In the afternoon we did Shabla Tuzla- highlights there included 68 Greater Flamingo, Black-necked Grebes and there were three Black-throated Divers off shore. Ebird list HERE. We got a call from Pavel half way through, he had found a Yellow-browed in a nearby wood so we set off over to there to dip it.

Will be meeting up with Pavel again tomorrow to have a look around Durankulak. 

Red-breasted Flycatcher- five of these at the Cape this morning

Can't get enoough of these stunning male Black Redstarts. Just look at the shades of black and grey with the dark mask with the silver grey top edging, the darker silver grey mantle, the dark breast and silver grey underparts, blazing white secondary panel and of course the wonderfully contrasting orange-red undertail coverts and 'start'. An absolute stunner. Only about 7 left now on the Cape after a peak of 30 or so on Sunday.

Nice to see a few Hooded Crows (and a single Rook) migrating this morning- here chasing a Sparrowhawk

Greater Flamingo

Another stunning black and grey bird today- this summer plumage Black-throated Diver, here with a winter plumage bird 

Winter Black-throated Diver 

There was a bit of waterfowl passage today at Shabla with these Pochards flying over, about 55 Tufted Ducks migrating offshore and 30 Pintail and Teal on Shabla Tuzla

Had the moth trap out last night at the guesthouse. A few familiar faces such as Rusty-dot Pearl, Dark Sword Grass, Olive-tree Pearl, Small Mottled Willows, White-speck and Deep-brown Dart and what I think is Feathered Brindle (below) and Cervyna cervago (above). Will do a seperate post on the moths and butterflies and sort out the ids then. 

Bulgaria, Autumn 2024, Day Two

Today was mainly a work day getting the wildlife pond at the plot progressed further. The four boys were down for a couple of days so we concentrated on work before they headed home this evening. 

Before work started Kojak and I were up and at Cape Kaliakra by dawn. We only had a couple of hours but still managed 58 species HERE. Highlights included the mind blowing vis-mig with 11250 Chaffinch, 1500 White Wagtails, 300 Spanish Sparrows and smaller numbers of Alpine Swifts, Barn Swallows, Bramblings, Siskins,  Skylarks, Crested Larks, Hooded Crows, Reed Buntings, Woodpigeons, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Red-throated Pipits, Tree Pipits and Corn Buntings. 

Meanwhile on the deck there were at least 75 Wren including birds being picked off by Yellow-legged Gulls as they flew in off the Black Sea. Seemed tragic that these tiny birds had just crossed the whole of the Black Sea only to be killed within meters of the cliffline. There were also about 40 Robin, 15 Black Redstarts, a single Red-breasted Flycatcher, 2 Red-backed Shrike and Honey Buzzard and Marsh Harrier went over. There were also 6 White Pelican on the sea. There were also a couple of Harbour Porpoise off shore. 

We also did a couple of hours in the evening around Kamen Bryag HERE. There was more in the way of insect migration than bird migrations with thousands of Silver Y and smaller numbers of Rush Veneer and Rusty-dot Pearl and two Crimson Speckled. Also tens of Red Admiral and Painted Lady. 

Four adult and two juvenile White Pelicans

Wren- a clear large fall of these today with at least 75 between the car park and the point. So plenty made it past the Yellow-legged Gulls

Juvenile dark phase Honey Buzzard

Another stunning male Black Redstart

Common Redstart

Juvenile Red-backed Shrike. It's interesting to see that some species like Red-backed Shrike, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Common Redstart are still moving through. We've recorded these on earlier autumn trips in August and September but in larger numbers so at the tail end now. However there are no Bee-eaters, Rollers, Golden Oriole, Spotted Flycatcher or Ficedula flycatcher and most surprisingly no Wheatears, no Northerns or Pieds and only one Whinchat and one Hoopoe. No Marsh Terns either or Little Gulls. Clearly there is a different suite of birds moving now dominated by finches. It's all pretty fascinating. 

Crimson Speckled- a couple of these on the steppe. Seems like I didn't pay my electricity bill as I've been cut off at the plot so not been able to have the moth trap on there. I've got it on at the guesthouse tonight so fingers crossed as the whole area here is dripping in migrant moths (mainly Silver-Ys). We also had a Convolvolus Hawk moth on the plot. 

The pond development today . Previous on this HERE

Still a work in progress- we now need to edge it and trim the membrane to shape. Within minutes there were dragonflies swarming round and in the evening the first bird- a Chiffchaff came in for a drink. There isn't much fresh surface water in this area- its limestone cliffs and karst round here so this pond hopefully will be quite a magnet for migrants. 

Bulgaria, Autumn 2024, Day One

Kojak and I started the day off at Cape Kaliakra before heading over to the project plot at Kamen Bryag to meet Dylan, Anton, Stoyan and Dobbie. We transported the pond liner to the plot and then the boys got on with doing the hay cut in the meadow and weeding the pond scrape while Kojak and I did the decent thing and carried on birding. 62 species at Cape Kaliakra, Ebird list HERE, highlights including 3 male Sardinian Warblers,  over 30 Black Redstarts, Honey Buzzard, Osprey, a late Hoopoe and some decent vis-mig. 53 species at Kamen Bryag and highlights there included Grey-headed Woodpecker, another 10 Black Redstarts and some impressive Chaffinch and White Wagtail passage, Ebird list HERE.

Male Black Redstart (above) and female (below)

Male Black Reds- saw over 40 of these today - certainly the bird of the moment 

Male Sardinian Warbler- first time I've seen these in this part of Bulgaria 

Grey-headed Woodpecker - another first for the project site 

White Stork 

A week at home

I'm off to Bulgaria tomorrow for a week on the project there, mainly to complete the wildlife pond but also to do a bit of autumn birding too.

It's been a busy week back at home, had two days in London quoting and then lots of paperwork to catch up with too and also made a bit of progress in the garden (looking forward to this winter's planting project here). 

Managed to get out birding yesterday and a proper session today, starting off at Church Norton and then checking out the first several area before doing the spit. 81 species in nearly 5 hours, Ebird list HERE. Highlights included finally catching up with one of the local Spoonbills, four Firecrests, a fall of about 14 Stonechats, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, the autumn's first flock of Golden Plover (50+), winter wader and duck numbers building and some nice vis mig (mostly moving east) including totals today of 36 Brent Goose (west), 200 Woodpigeon (south- it has begun), 27 Skylark, 150 Barn Swallow, 2 House Martin,  24 White/Pied Wagtail, 35 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 13 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 65 Linnet, 62 Siskin and 12 Reed Bunting. 

Last night was cold but there were some milder nights in the week with up to 24 species of moth. 

Shame I couldn't stay on Corvo longer as a Warbling Vireo was found on Wednesday- only the 2nd for the WP. The Little Blue Heron is also reliable on Terceira again. Might just have to re-visit later in the month. 

Spoonbill 

Stonechats (above and below) along the Spit 

Dunlin, Grey Plover and Knot- numbers of winter waders are now building

Male Brambling- still in summer plumage 

Merveille du Jour- always a treat and the first one for the garden here . Moth list now on 378. 

Green Brindled Crescent- a NFY. Also recent additions to the moth list include Yellow and Red-line Quaker and Beaded Chestnuts and another Feathered Ranunculus. Radford's have been up to 8 a night, Delicates (up to 6) and the odd Clancy's Rustic, Scarce Bordered Straw (up to 4), one Blair's Mocha and a few Rusty-dot Pearl and Rush Veneer. 

Holly and Isaac and the now complete Garden Office and Shed

Main achievement this week was getting the log sheds full and getting the fire going (above and below). We also got the compost bins in and cut all the meadows/lawns. Will be planting over 200 trees in the first week of November so looking forward to that. 

The Northern Lights were showing (to the i-phone) last night 

View over the Selsey Peninsula from the plane on the way back from Corvo last weekend