Day 8- The Biggest Dip (ever?)

There are regularly up to 50,000 Red-breasted Geese, 250 White-fronted Geese and a few Lesser White-fronted Geese in the north coast regions of Bulgaria in winter. This winter has been so mild that the b#####ds have not flown this far south . All we had was a few White-fronts flying around (pics 1 and 2).

Back up plan,, to this mammoth feat of actually missing an entire world population of birds, was the large gulls so we headed back to Varna hot springs for some head scrathing larid action. http://peteralfrey.blogspot.com/

PS. To be fair on the geese- December is a bit early for them- the large flocks are guaranteed in January/early Feb.

White-backed Pecker

The White-backed Woodpeckers out here are part of the southern european glacial refuge populations, lilfordi. These birds are found in the Pyrenees, SE Europe. Turkey and the Caucasus. These mainly differ from the nominate race in having a barred back rather than a white back.

Bulgaria Day 7- White-backed Woodpecker

Started the morning at Strandzha Reserve: 2-3 White-backed Woodpecker, 2 Grey-headed Woodpecker and 1 Short-toed Treecreeper were the highlights.

Travelled north towards Dobrich for the rest of the day doing a bit of gulling on the way. A couple of Caspian Gulls and a slate-grey mantled large gull which out here could well be a Heuglin's Gull.

Keeping an eye on back home

http://dodge007.blogspot.com/2010/12/more-winter-birding.html
http://vimeo.com/17605921

Bulgaria Day 6- Burgas Lakes

Started the wild goose and pelican chase today with Dimiter from Neophron Tours http://www.neophron.com/ . Our first stop was the Burgas Lakes. Highlights included 200+ Dalmatian Pelicans (pic 1 and 2), a few White Pelicans (pic 3), Whooper Swans (4), 1000s of Pygmy Cormorants (5), Little Gull, White-tailed Eagles, Hen Harriers, Marsh Harriers (loads), Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine (en route), Spotted Reds, 100s of Avocet, Pintails, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Shovelers, Pochards, Shelducks, White-fronted Goose (7 birds migrating) Great White and Little Egrets, Kingfishers and also a closer look at the Jackdaws revealed them to be of the race soemmerringii(6).

Bulgaria- Day 5 Rescue Mission

Our plans to explore east of Shipka went to pot today after coming across an injured Common Buzzard (pic 1) . We took it to the Bird of Prey Rehab (pic 2 and 3) where it will be sharing its recovery with other 'fallen stars' including Honey Buzzard (pic 4), Lammergier (5) and Eastern Imperial Eagle (6). When the Common Buzzard recovers it will released where we found it.

Bulgaria- Day 4

Had a look from the top of the Shipka Pass today (pics 2 and 3). Such a large area of Beech forest- there must be peckers in them there hills. So far I have had Green, Great Spot, Lesser Spot, Black and Syrian (pic 1) - are there any more out there?