Birdwatching

Bulgaria is perfect for birdwatching , being a nesting ground for most European species in spring (May-June) and on the migratory path of many Asian birds in autumn (Sept to mid-Oct), being approximately 400 species in all. There's plenty to see at any time, owing to the diversity of ecological niches and the fact that farmers use less pesticides and insecticides than in Western Europe. Birdlife can be seen anywhere, but still the richest concentrations are in the Rhodope Mountains, along the Black Coast and the floodplain of the River Danube.

In the Rhodopes , the Trigrad gorge is notable for Pallid swifts, Crag martins, Pot-bellied dippers and, above all, the rare, elusive Wallcreeper, while the local caves harbour six types of bat. Although eagles, hawks and falcons can be seen all over the highlands, the best sites for observing raptors are in the Arda gorge near Madzharovo, where can be seen rare Eastern and Imperial eagles, Egyptian, Black and Griffon vultures, Black storks, Blue Rock thrushes, Chukars, Nuthatches and Barred, Orphean and Olivaceous warblers.

The Black Sea coast has greater variety of species, especially during the great autumn migration, when flocks of raptors fly over the lakes and marshes around Burgas, From the spring time till the end of the summer loads of bird species can be closely observed around the lakes in Burgas, Cape Kaliakra, Lake Durankulak etc.

In spring Lake Srebarna on the Danube floodplain, is often visited by around eighty migratory species and also Dalmatian pelicans and other rare species.

For further inforrmation contact the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, which can recommend local guides and advise on all matters ornithological.