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Republic of Bulgaria

Birding Bulgaria

Over the last fifteen years birding has really taken off in Bulgaria, but this is not really surprising when one considers the species that can be seen in this birding paradise. There are over 200 Dalmatian pelicans in the colony at the Srebarna UNESCO reserve, which is the biggest European colony, Red-footed Falcons (over 500 pairs); over 20 pairs of Eastern Imperial eagles, over 800 pairs of Pygmy cormorant, over 100 pairs of Ferruginous duck, and more than 50 pairs of Ruddy shell duck. The country is dotted with fishpond systems and many small and bigger rivers, where Savis Warbler, and Penduline Tit are common, and herons and egrets easily seen.

The chain of the Central Balkan National Park, Pirin and Vitosha mountains National Parks, Rila mountain with many mountain reserves, Rhodope mountain and in the far South east Strandza mountain National Park and the local reserves, with their perfect woods and huge cliffs give great opportunities for raptors. These include Eastern Imperial, Golden, Booted, Short-toed, and Lesser spotted eagles, and Saker. The lower parts of the mountains and the whole of the rest of the country is good for Long legged buzzard, Levant Sparrow hawk, Red footed falcon, Montegue’s harrier, Honey Buzzard, Egyptian, Black and Griffon vultures, White-tailed eagle, and Black and White stork. Bulgaria is also the best place in the World for seeing Wallcreeper, the biggest European populations of Sombre Tit, Masked and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Short-toed Treecreeper, Olive-tree and Paddyfield Warblers, Spanish Sparrow, Semi-collared flycatcher, Black-headed & Rock Buntings, Black-headed Yellow Wagtail, Golden Oriole, Roller, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Rose-coloured Starling, Rock Partridge, Pied, Isabelline and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears, Corncrake, Syrian Woodpecker, Calandra and Short-toed Larks.

Many rare European species, like Pallid swift, Little and spotted crakes, Stone-curlew, Collared and Black-winged pratincoles, Gull-billed and Caspian terns, White pelicans, Eagle owl, Ural owl, Scops owl, Pygmy and Tegmalm’s owls, Shore lark, Rock and Blue rock thrush, Sub-alpine, Barred, Sardinian and Orphean warblers, Nutcracker, Rock sparrow, and Dotterel are relatively easy to find. In almost every wood and the open area there are Black, Green, Grey-headed, Middle-spotted, Great-spotted, and Lesser-spotted woodpeckers. High in the mountain are three-toed woodpecker. There is a good chance of the rare White-backed woodpecker, as well as Syrian woodpecker and Wryneck in the open areas.

The best time to visit is spring, with, on average, 220-230 species, including many rarities but birding in autumn is also good, especially for large raptor migration, Pelicans, and shorebirds. There are huge number of birds every autumn with Honey Buzzards (6000+); Levant sparrow hawk (100+); Common buzzards (20,000+); Booted eagle (100); Lesser spotted eagles (10,000+); Short-toed eagles (400+); Pallid harriers (15); Hobbys (70+); Red footed falcons (1000+); White storks (over 130,000); Black stork (3000+); White pelicans (20,000+); Dalmatian pelicans, and many other rare and interesting birds such as thousands of wagtails, swallows, pipits, and larks etc.

Bulgaria is one of the best European countries for birding in winter, as it holds thousands of Red-breasted and White fronted geese, a very good chance of lesser white-fronted geese and rare European ducks. In the last few years there have been very good numbers of White headed duck (over 300); Smew, Dalmatian pelican, Great white Egret, Whooper and Bewick’s swans, Rough-legged and Long legged buzzards.

Bulgarian landscape is very variable. The plains and marshes of the Danube and Maritsa rivers and Black sea coast give a great possibility of getting all the European herons, as well as Spoonbills and Glossy Ibis, Little Bittern breed. Even the forest in the centre of Sofia – the Bulgarian capital, gives perfect opportunities for birding, and Vitosha mountain national park is just a few minutes by car from Sofia. The dozens of reserves in the country and also many unprotected areas with their variety of landscape, birds, plants insects etc, in a small country such as Bulgaria, mark it out as a leading European country for birding.

The climate is typically continental in Northern Bulgaria and Dobrudza region, which means warm summers and cold winters. Along the black sea coast the winter is not so severe and the summer is not so hot. In the high mountains the climate is typical with long and cold winter and shorter spring and summer. Along the southern border with Turkey and Greece the Mediterranean influence is tactile. One of the most important sources of foreign income in Bulgaria is tourism and so most of the country is geared up to receiving and looking after visitors and that includes birders. Food, and drinks are cheap and accommodation is very reasonable. Yet, many regions of Bulgaria are still rather under developed with farmland that still hosts good numbers of birds.

Contributors

Nikolay Dilchev
| pandiond@einet.bg
http://www.birdwatchingholidays.com

Number of Species

Number of bird species: 400

As at July 2018

Checklist

iGoTerra Checklist
iGoTerra Checklist
Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web

Useful Reading

Atlas of Breeding Birds in Bulgaria

Edited by Petar Iankov | Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds | 2007 | Hardback | 680 pages, b/w illustrations, b/w distribution maps | ISBN: 9789549142174 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birding Bulgaria

(The gorge bird of Trigrad…and other stories) | by Malcolm Rymer | Malcolm Rymer | 2007 | DVD | Runtime 120 Minutes | #170754 | ISBN: Buy this book from NHBS.com
Finding Birds in Bulgaria

by Dave Gosney | Easybirder | 2010 | Paperback | 35 pages, b/w maps | ISBN: 9781907316128 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Finding Birds in Eastern Bulgaria

by Dave Gosney | Easybirder | 2019 | Paperback | 40 pages, b/w maps | ISBN: 9781907316593 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to Watch Birds in Bulgaria

By Peter Iankov & G Pchelarov | Pensoft Publishers | 1996 | Paperback | 179 pages, 40 line drawings, maps | ISBN: 9789546420114 Buy this book from NHBS.com

Organisations

Balkani Wildlife Society
Website
BALKANI Wildlife Society is a non-profit organisation, working for the public benefit. The main aims of the Society are study, conservation and restoration of flora and fauna in natural ecosystems, their preservation for future generations and raising public awareness on the problems of nature conservation
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
Website
In the BSPB we work for the conservation of wild birds, the areas important for them and their habitats. We defend the right of existence of wildlife and thus we contribute for the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as for the well-being of mankind. In the BSPB we work for the people too: we defend the public interest and everybody’s right to a preserved nature and a healthy environment.
Le Balkan-Bulgaria
Website
In 1998 a partnership between Swarovski Optik, "Le Balkan-Bulgaria" Foundation and Branta-Tours Birdwatching (www.branta-tours.com) company was established with the main goal of improving the breeding conditions in the Dalmatian Pelican colony at the Srebarna Biosphere reserve and to ensure the survival of the Pelicans. As a result of this fro! m 1998 to 2003 a team from Le Balkan (www.lebalkan.org) implemented several very important measures and management techniques at the site. The result of these measures was that the pelican colony was protected from extensive flooding and predators. We obtained authorisation for implementation of this project from the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water through the established written agreement. In parallel, a joint monitoring programme between Le Balkan-Bulgaria and the "Station biologique de la Tour du Valat" has been running in Srebarna Dalmatian Pelican colony. This work is included in an international research and conservation program on the species.

Reserves

Abbreviations Key

Bulgaria National Parks
Information Satellite View
An interactive list of all the protected areas in Bulgaria
NP Pirin
Information Satellite View
Pirin National Park is located in the Pirin Mountains, in southwest Bulgaria. The park includes seven municipalities in the district of Blagoevgrad: Bansko, Gotse Delchev, Razlog, Sandanski, Strumyani, Kresna, and Simitli….
NR Bourgas Wetlands
Information Satellite View
The main goal of the Project is to establish a sustainable working structure, which will continue to manage and protect these important wetlands after the Programme and the Project are over. All governmental and non-governmental organisations, the business and the public at large should find their proper place and role in this structure to help it perform in the best possible way its functions of safeguarding the protected areas in the region…
NR Djendem
Information Satellite View
Many rare wildlife species have found their last refuge in this impenetrable natural forest, which is home to an unusual community of Siberian juniper, myrtle-leaf rhododendron and blueberry, as well as the only known location of Urumov’s campion in the world. The Northern Djendem is home to the Balkan chamois (alpine goat), brown bear, grey wolf, red deer, roe, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and wallcreeper.
NR Srebarna
Information Satellite View
The Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgarian: Природен резерват Сребърна, transliterated as Priroden rezervat Srebarna) is a nature reserve in northeastern Bulgaria (Southern Dobruja), near the village of the same name, 18 km west of Silistra and 2 km south of the Danube. It comprises Lake Srebarna and its surroundings and is located on the Via Pontica, a bird migration route between Europe and Africa.
Wetlands
Information Satellite View
Bulgaria currently has 11 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 49,912 hectares.

Guides & Tour Operators

Birdwatching Bulgaria
Tour Operator
Birdwatching is a passion, an ardour unifying in a very special society tens of millions of people each year who have been seized with love about birds! No wonder that birding is among the fastest-growing outdoor activity worldwide. It is a real delight, which could be practiced generally everywhere - in your own yard, in the park, among the buildings in the cities and even through the windows of the car when traveling!
Branta Tours
Tour Operator
Branta-Tours is a Bulgarian wildlife and especially birdwatching company, which operates tours to the most important birding locations in Bulgaria. We also focus on flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles and mammals (including marine species), as well as other fascinating features on most of our trips. Branta-Tours is equipped with Swarovski optics to help ensure the best possible birding experience for your trip
British Bulgarian Society
Website
…hover over the images to see the names and dates of the tours, then click on one to see its itinerary, details and price…
Iordan Hristov - Independent Guide
Webpage
Birding around Sofia can be rather productive for half a day or a full day depending upon your time availability. The area around the capital is rich in birdlife especially in spring. Depending upon your interest we can visit a variety of habitats and aim for good diversity of birds. Contact Iordan mailto:biomonitoring.ltd@gmail.com
Nature Travel
Tour Operator
Birdwatching in Bulgaria becomes incredibly popular in the last several years. The area "Suha reka" offers fantastic opportunities for birdwatching. There is an immense variety of habitats ranging from wetlands, dry steppe, cliffs and gorges, grassland, arable land, orchards, woodland, etc. The specific landscape features have defined large diversity of birds. At the moment are registered nearly 200 species and over 25 of them are birds of prey. Amongst the highlights are Ruddy Shellduck, Pallid Harrier, Lesser-spotted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Stone Curlew, Common Crane, Syrian Woodpecker, Alpine Swift, Eagle Owl, Sombre Tit, Thrush Nightingale, Golden Oriole, Wryneck, Barred Warbler and many others. European Bee-eaters, Red-backed Shrikes and Rollers are very common birds in Spring and Summer…
Neophron Tours
Tour Operator
Spring tours in the richest and most attractive bird areas in the country, including the Rhodopes, Pirin, Rila and Central Balkan mountains; the Black Sea coast with amazing wetlands and steppes, the wetlands and forests along the Danube river, etc…
Pandion Birdwatching Holidays
Tour Operator
Tour company which specialises in birdwatching tours to Bulgaria - the site has some very nice photographs of special birds of the area. Visiting our site you will know about one of the most interesting countries in the world situated in Europe - Bulgaria. Superb nature. Unique finds, Orthodox cloisters, folklore and traditions. Run by Nikolay Dilchev who is licenced to run such tours - beware, other tours may NOT cover you if things go wrong!
Probirder
Tour Operator
Ten Good Reasons to Visit Bulgaria - Dalmatian Pelican, Ruddy Shelduck, Black Vulture, Long-legged Buzzard, Levant Sparrowhawk, Slender-billed Gull, Red-rumped Swallow, Pied Wheatear, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Black-headed Bunting
Traventuria Wildlife Photography Tours
Tour Operator
Traventuria’s responsible travel policy to provide great journeys in supreme wildlife habitats and connect international travelers with local communities to guarantee sustainability and harmony between men and nature. We are specialized in birdwatching and wildlife photography tours.
Via Pontica Tours
Tour Operator
On the crossroad between Europe and Asia, Bulgaria is one of the best European birdwatching destinations. For the moment in the country have been recorded more than 400 birds species
Wild Echo
Tour Operator
Bulgaria has more than 415 bird species, of which 267 breed here. In the summer it is the best places to see species such as the Olive-tree and Paddyfield warblers, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Isabelline and Pied wheatears, Masked Shrike, Black-headed Bunting, Levant Sparrowhawk and the Long-legged Buzzard. Many other rare or hard to find species are easy to observe here - the Rock Partridge, the Barred Warbler, the Rock Nuthatch, the Scops Owl, and woodpeckers are just a few. Bulgaria is definitely the best place in Europe to watch the Wallcreeper…

Trip Reports

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2010 [02 February] - Pavel Simeonov
Report
…We then birded the open countryside of Dobrudja getting excellent views of 5 Rough-legged Buzzard, 5 Long-legged Buzzard and over 120 Common Buzzards for the day, allowing good comparisons to be made. The buzzard feast didn´t end there, as a single Steppe Buzzard was watched near the roadside and later an all white bird…
2010 [06 June] - Brian & Isabel Eady
p
…Once they had passed through we soon picked up Long Tailed Tits high in a nearby tree, and Great Tits and Eurasian Blue Tits followed quite quickly afterwards. We heard the call of Eurasian Golden Orioles and soon spotted a beautiful male in his immaculate breeding plumage…
2010 [06 June] - Ed Keeble
Report
…Morning at Trigrad with the Wallcreepers (wonderful until it started to rain at 11AM) then across to E Rhodopes (Krumovgrad) at lunchtime for vultures etc….
2010 [06 June] - Honeyguide - Western Rhodopes & Black Sea Coast
PDF Report
…On the pre-breakfast walk we watched hobby and ravens, and later, while we were walking in the forest areas, we saw woodlark, goldcrest, firecrest and many orchids, including lesser twayblade, toothed orchid, bug orchid and fly orchid, and also hepatica…
2010 [06 June] - Kenny Musgrove
Report
… Simeon picked out a Nutcracker sitting at the top of a tree calling and we enjoyed good views until the heavens opened and we sheltered in a small hut….
2010 [06 June] - Mark Denman
Report PDF
On the last day of the birding tour with Ecotours Wildlife Holidays after dinner we discuss our choices for species, place and magic moment and Masked Shrike proves popular, as does Rose-coloured Starling and Longlegged Buzzard. Though the beautiful grasslands near the coast were popular, the clear winner for place are the spectacular Eastern Rhodope Mountains. And finally, magic moments! so many for all of us of course but the clear favourite was the Eagle Owl…
2010 [09 September] - Ecotours
Report PDF
…Exploring the Black Sea Coast and the Rhodopes: superb scenery, trees in beautiful Autumn colouration, rare bird species!…
2011 [02 February] - Branta Tours
Report
The Geese were spectacular and are becoming increasingly rare with a world population estimate of just 20,000, down very significantly on previous years and they all winter in the Coastal Dobrudja of Bulgaria and Romania…
2011 [04 April] - Kenny Musgrove
Report
We parked the car and made our way up a mountain track and Steve immediately spotted a Rock Thrush singing on the top the high rock face. A Sombre Tit was spotted in a nearby bush and then our target – Rock Partridge was heard calling just over the top of a ridge a little higher up. We clambered higher in an attempt to get a view and a second bird was heard, but all we could get a sight of was a Black Redstart…
2011 [05 May] - Mark Easterbrook
Report
While we were waiting for Josele to arrive from Madrid, some brief but productive birding at a small pool next to the airport, produced Little Bittern, at least 2 Great Reed Warblers, and a Nightingale. Those who had arrived earlier had birded the mountains close to Sofia and were rewarded with Spotted Nutcracker and Firecrest amongst others – birds that were not recovered throughout the remainder of the tour….
2011 [05 May] - Pat & Judy Hayes
Report
It’s strange how trips are born; the germ of the trip is usually initiated by reading an article, a trip report, or the realisation that a number of your 'want to see birds' can best been seen at a specific location. The viewing of Malcolm Rymer’s CDs, Birding in Bulgaria, was the catalyst for this trip…
2011 [06 June] - Honeyguide - Western Rhodopes & Black Sea Coast
PDF Report
… at Trigrad Gorge, we stood waiting for the target species – the wallcreeper. A peregrine, crag martins and alpine swifts were all seen flying over the gorge. A male wallcreeper came and gave insects to the female and we had very close views just a few metres above us.
2011 [09 September] - Ronnie Irving, Ian Kinley & Dave Thexton
Report
…For two of us, this was the third autumn trip to the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria and was essentially a repeat of previous visits but with the dates falling midway between the two. Most of the sites visited were the same as in the past though, thanks to additional information largely provided by Pavel Simeonov at Branta Birding Lodge, we were able to add to our itinerary…
2012 [06 June] - Chris Gibson - Western Rhodopes
PDF Report
" … Trigrad Gorge, where Vlado pointed out a crevice in the rock face just a few metres above the road. And right on cue, after only a few seconds, its occupants appeared, a pair of wallcreepers which went on to give us a grandstand view for several minutes: creeping, feeding, flying, and even the male feeding his mate with the spoils from his last foraging trip. Magnificent jewels of birds … "
2012 [06 June] - Mark Denman
Report PDF
…Place of the trip was dominated by our time in the mountains and magic moments range from the amazing butterflies, Monty's Harriers, incredible flower meadows and too many other moments to mention!…
2013 [02 February] - David Erterius
Report PDF
…The numbers of Red-breasted Geese vary annually from between a few hundred to several tens of thousands, depending on the severity of the winter. Almost the entire world population of this endangered and enigmatic species migrate from their tundra breeding grounds on the coast of the Kara Sea in Arctic Siberia, across the West Siberian lowlands and along the Urals, finally crossing the steppe in Kazakhstan to winter in the Dobrudzha region on both sides of the border between Romania and Bulgaria….
2013 [02 February] - Simeon Gigov
Report PDF
…he highlights here were about 20 Pygmy Cormorants, one male Ferruginous Duck, a Northern Goshawk, two Western Marsh-harriers, two Long-legged Buzzards and two Water Pipits…
2013 [05 May]
PDF Report
We saw Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, European Robin, European Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Eurasian Jay, Magpie, Common Chaffinch, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Hooded Crow, Common Swift and Alpine Swift, and we also heard Blackcap and Grey Headed Woodpecker.
2014 [02 February] - Christopher Hall
Report
…while a pair of Grey-headed Woodpeckers called from inside the adjacent wood. It didn’t take too long to whistle up one of the ‘peckers’ which emerged from the wood and flew straight towards us before landing in the tree right in front of us for a great view in the scope. With no red on the forehead this was clearly the female and she posed for several minutes while calling from her perch. This just left our target bird to find and eventually we found a Sombre Tit in a crab apple tree…
2014 [05 May] - Bob Buckler
PDF Report
A few raptors appeared, Common Kestrel, Long-legged Buzzard and to our great delight we found two Levant Sparrowhawks. We saw them just as we drove from the shop after buying our picnic on the edge of town, one of them sat out in the open for us, smashing bird.
2014 [06 June] - Chris Gibson - Western Rhodopes
PDF Report
After breakfast and making our packed lunch, we headed back to Trigrad and took another opportunity to stop at the wallcreepers’ nest site. What a contrast to yesterday! Even before we had disembarked, Vlado heard and spotted a male bird around the (former) nest crevice, and it proceeded to entrance us with an extended display of feeding, flicking and flying...
2014 [06 June] - Kathie Claydon
Report
...This was our 5th trip to Bulgaria with Neophron Tours; all have been tailor-made for just the two of us. The first tour, in 2010, was mainly for birds and bears in the Western Rhodopes (yes, we did see a bear), followed by two trips in 2011, June for butterflies in the Pirin and Rila mountains (93 butterfly spp.) then autumn migration along the Black Sea coast in September (170 bird spp.) In July 2013 we went looking for more butterflies in different areas including the Central Balkans and Vitosha mountain (about 80 spp. of butterfly). Each trip was a great success and we have not yet tired of Bulgaria’s impressive and readily accessible wildlife. This latest tour was arranged at very short notice by Dimiter Georgiev (Neophron Tours) with no particular targets in mind and no fixed itinerary deciding on a daily basis where we wanted to go and watching whatever wildlife we came across. Our guide, Minko Madzharov, telephoned ahead to book accommodation as needed. We began with a 4-night stay at Chryssohorafa near Lake Kerkini then moved on to southern Bulgaria, from the interesting pyramid-like cliffs around Melnik to the Western Rhodopes, the Eastern Rhodopes and on to the Sakar Hills. Our last afternoon was spent in Vitosha mountains above Sofia...
2014 [08 August] - Dylan Vasapolli
PDF Report
Looking to expand Birding Ecotours’ current repertoire of tours, guides Jason Boyce and Dylan Vasapolli jumped at the opportunity to join a “fam trip” to Bulgaria with one of the country’s leading bird and wildlife experts.
2014 [09 September] - Dylan Vasapolli
PDF Report
Despite being a relatively small country, together with Spain Bulgaria boasts the highest biodiversity in Europe, with the birds contributing greatly to this. The vast tracts of different habitats make it a pleasant country to bird, and the country plays host to several scenically beautiful areas, adding to its splendor.
2015 [05 May] - Nikolay Dilchev
PDF Report
Annotated list
2015 [05 May] - Richard Webb - Southwest Bulgaria
PDF Report
...Whilst I missed a few species, e.g. Levant Sparrowhawk, Western Rock Nuthatch and Olive-tree Warbler, that I would have liked to have seen given that it is almost 30 years since I last saw them, all-in-all it was an extremely enjoyable trip.
2015 [05 May] - Wingspan
PDF Report
Black-headed Buntings were everywhere as well as the common Corn Bunting. Calandra Larks gave good views whilst they sang on the wing or perched nearby. A good number of both Spanish and Tree Sparrows flitted about and we listed both Isabelline and Northern Wheatears.
2015 [05 May] - Wingspan
Report
...We notched up some species on the first part of the trip, Hooded Crow, Common Buzzard, Barn Swallow and Crested Lark. After a quick stop in Pazardzhik to buy lunch supplies we stopped just outside the town for our first birding session of the tour.
2015 [06 June] - Chris Gibson - Western Rhodopes
PDF Report
...After dinner, we were treated to a visit by the ‘Yagodina Grannies’, a local folk song and dance troupe, their numbers swelled this year by a young bagpipe player. But no takers for the opportunity to dress in local costume and join in.
2015 [06 June] - Peter Williams
Report
...A Hobby then also passed by. Taking our cue from the birds, we drove to the cliffs for a closer view of the action and were fortunate to see a Dark Phase Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Kestrel and Hobby. Also there were a Black Redstart, Black-eared Wheatear, Hawfinch, an Olivaceous Warbler and 19 fly by Spoonbills. The 'squeaky gate' alarm call of a Nightingale was a new one for us.
2016 [03 March] - David Karr - Northeast and Vitosha Mountain
PDF Report
The Easter weekend break was a perfect opportunity to visit Bulgaria for some sightseeing andbirding. Our focus was the northern Black Sea coast and the Danube River marshes nearSilistra/Srebarna. The country scores high marks for historical interest, affordability, and the chanceto easily see some of Europe’s less common birds: Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, LongleggedBuzzard, Black Woodpecker, Black Stork, etc.
2016 [03 March] - David Karr - Northeast and Vitosha Mountain
PDF Report
The Easter weekend break was a perfect opportunity to visit Bulgaria for some sightseeing and birding. Our focus was the northern Black Sea coast and the Danube River marshes near Silistra/Srebarna. The country scores high marks for historical interest, affordability, and the chance to easily see some of Europe’s less common birds: Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Long-legged Buzzard, Black Woodpecker, Black Stork, etc.
2016 [05 May]
PDF Report
Further along the journey we stopped to look for Wryneck, instead we found Golden Oriole, Isabelline Wheatear, Lesser Grey Shrike and more Common Buzzards. Another impromptu stop was made to look at Souslik, a small hamster-like rodent and just after that we found a beautiful European Roller on a roadside fence and another Isabelline Wheatear.
2016 [05 May] - Iordan Hristov
PDF Report
After we enjoyed the riverside birding we headed towards an abandoned quarry. Along the road we logged our first Roller which was rather obliging and sat nicely on the wires to be scoped. Just before we arrive in an abandoned quarry we had wonderful views of the Black-headed Bunting, Corn Bunting, Calandra Larks and Black-headed Yellow Wagtail. Once we stopped we looked at a Long-legged Buzzard which was sitting at its usual position. Here we also noted a Black-eared Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, Spanish Sparrow with well marked black chest and Short-toed Eagle. A small group of Rose-coloured Starling flew over but too fast so not everyone managed to see them.
2016 [05 May] - Sándor Borza - Danube Delta & Dobrudja
PDF Report
...It was a really enjoyable trip with a lot of quality birding and simply just lots of birds everywhere! We recorded a total of 183 species during this 8 days trip (with 6 and a half days of actual birding) and only four of them were heard only...
2016 [05 May] - Wingspan
Report
...After breakfast we set off for the Trigrad Gorge passing through some magnificent scenery along theway, we saw Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Eurasian Jay and Cirl Bunting from the bus. At the gorge we hit alow point on our 'roller-coaster' or more appropriately 'big dipper' as we dipped big time on our maintarget bird, WALLCREEPER....
2016 [06 June] - Tim Strudwick - Western Rhodopes
PDF Report
Bears are a hard act to follow, but the sun came out and with it plenty of butterflies including Glanville, heath and pearl-bordered fritillaries and mazarine blue (all visiting what Vlado felt was probably polecat scat), and a broad-bodied chaser was hawking along the stream. A quail started calling in the stream-side meadow.
2016 [07 July] - Iordan Hristov
PDF Report
We continued along a quiet lane stopping now and then and saw our first Lesser Grey Shrikes which were rather noisy and active. A big group of 20+ Grey Partridges walked right by the road giving us great views and photographic opportunities. For the next half an hour we logged Isabelline, Northern and Black-eared Wheatears. A Little Owl sat nicely for us to enjoy on a concrete wall and a Long-legged Buzzard sat quiet for a while when it dropped on the floor to get a prey. Soon we exhausted the place and moved location.
2017 [-02 February] - https://fatbirder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/customized-birding-trip.pdf
PDF Report
Sometimes we did have long hours in the hide with no birds but used to time to catch up with reading or taking pictures of Ravens which gathered in their tens. Some of the birds had rings so it was interesting to study the birds.
2017 [01 January] - Iordan Hristov
PDF Report
On the way to the Rhodopes, we made a quick stop for Pygmy Cormorants which roost in their thousands just a few km off the motorway. We took the chance because the species was of interest and soon we got our shots with backlight from the setting sun. A Crested Lark made a show right by our van and another tick for one of the guests
2017 [12 December] - Bulgaria
Report
This holiday was a short break to enjoy Christmas in a setting that John and I both enjoy...that is birdwatching in a foreign land. John had been to Lake Kerkini, in Northern Greece before and I was keen to visit my hundredth country that was just a short drive away crossing the border into Bulgaria. We were lucky to find some winter sun to enjoy the birds that were amassing around the lake.
2018 [05 May] - Jonathan Lethbridge - Bulgaria & Romania
PDF Report
This is a trip report about an unashamedly photographic trip to Eastern Europe -Romania and Bulgaria. I'd birdedthe Black Sea coast of Bulgaria before, about six years, and vowed to go back as it was simply outstanding. For many reasons I had not managed it until now -it was once again so good that I am trying to find an excuse to go back
2019 [02 February] - Chris Lotz
PDF Report
This Winter Birding Wonderland Bulgarian tour takes in essentially the best of Bulgaria, as we visit the many important bird wintering sites along the Black Sea, along with exploring various woodlands and mountains that play host to some of Europe’s most sought-after species. All these combine for a short, well-rounded tour that is not to be missed.
2019 [02 February] - Dylan Vasapolli
PDF Report
This private tour followed the exact route of our winter set-departure tour, taking place directly preceding it. The tour began in the coastal town of Varna, from where we spent a few days exploring the northern Bulgaria Black Sea region, before transferring to the large port town of Burgas. Here we spent time birding the southern Bulgarian Black Sea region, including the Strandzha mountain massif, before transferring inland to the capital, Sofia, where the tour concluded on the snow-covered Vitosha mountain.
2019 [05 May] - Ed O’Hara
PDF Report
Having had such a brilliant trip in May 2018, Comghal and I decided to return to Bulgaria but this time put the emphasis on the mountains and forests for several 'lifers' that we were both seeking.

Places to Stay

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Branta Birding Lodge
Accommodation
Pelican Birding Lodge
Tour Operator
Pelican Birding Lodge is located in the village of Vetren, close to the town of Silistra. Vetren is situated two kilometers from the River Danube, and close to the internationally important nature reserve at Lake Srebarna, a UNESCO heritage site. The environs along the Danube attract a wide range of birdlife throughout the year. Lake Srebarna is world-famous for a colony of world-threatened Dalmatian Pelicans, and many other interesting and rare species which prefer a wetland habitat…

Republic of Bulgaria

Birding Bulgaria

Nikolay Dilchev

Number of bird species: 400

iGoTerra Checklist

Atlas of Breeding Birds in Bulgaria

Birding Bulgaria

Finding Birds in Bulgaria

Finding Birds in Eastern Bulgaria

Where to Watch Birds in Bulgaria

Balkani Wildlife Society

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds

Le Balkan-Bulgaria

Bulgaria National Parks

NP Pirin

NR Bourgas Wetlands

NR Djendem

NR Srebarna

Wetlands

Birdwatching Bulgaria

Branta Tours

British Bulgarian Society

Iordan Hristov - Independent Guide

Nature Travel

Neophron Tours

Pandion Birdwatching Holidays

Probirder

Traventuria Wildlife Photography Tours

Via Pontica Tours

Wild Echo

2010 [02 February] - Pavel Simeonov

2010 [06 June] - Brian & Isabel Eady

2010 [06 June] - Ed Keeble

2010 [06 June] - Honeyguide - Western Rhodopes & Black Sea Coast

2010 [06 June] - Kenny Musgrove

2010 [06 June] - Mark Denman

2010 [09 September] - Ecotours

2011 [02 February] - Branta Tours

2011 [04 April] - Kenny Musgrove

2011 [05 May] - Mark Easterbrook

2011 [05 May] - Pat & Judy Hayes

2011 [06 June] - Honeyguide - Western Rhodopes & Black Sea Coast

2011 [09 September] - Ronnie Irving, Ian Kinley & Dave Thexton

2012 [06 June] - Chris Gibson - Western Rhodopes

2012 [06 June] - Mark Denman

2013 [02 February] - David Erterius

2013 [02 February] - Simeon Gigov

2013 [05 May]

2014 [02 February] - Christopher Hall

2014 [05 May] - Bob Buckler

2014 [06 June] - Chris Gibson - Western Rhodopes

2014 [06 June] - Kathie Claydon

2014 [08 August] - Dylan Vasapolli

2014 [09 September] - Dylan Vasapolli

2015 [05 May] - Nikolay Dilchev

2015 [05 May] - Richard Webb - Southwest Bulgaria

2015 [05 May] - Wingspan

2015 [05 May] - Wingspan

2015 [06 June] - Chris Gibson - Western Rhodopes

2015 [06 June] - Peter Williams

2016 [03 March] - David Karr - Northeast and Vitosha Mountain

2016 [03 March] - David Karr - Northeast and Vitosha Mountain

2016 [05 May]

2016 [05 May] - Iordan Hristov

2016 [05 May] - Sándor Borza - Danube Delta & Dobrudja

2016 [05 May] - Wingspan

2016 [06 June] - Tim Strudwick - Western Rhodopes

2016 [07 July] - Iordan Hristov

2017 [-02 February] - https://fatbirder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/customized-birding-trip.pdf

2017 [01 January] - Iordan Hristov

2017 [12 December] - Bulgaria

2018 [05 May] - Jonathan Lethbridge - Bulgaria & Romania

2019 [02 February] - Chris Lotz

2019 [02 February] - Dylan Vasapolli

2019 [05 May] - Ed O’Hara

Branta Birding Lodge

Pelican Birding Lodge

Birdwatching Bulgaria

Bulgarian Nature on My Doorstep

Nature Monitoring