Home ≫ World Birding ≫ Europe ≫ Bulgaria

Republic of Bulgaria

Hoopoe Upupa epos ©Svetoslav Simeonov
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.

This page is sponsored by Pelican Lake Guest House

Contributors
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

  • 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

    InformationSatellite View
    An interactive list of all the protected areas in Bulgaria

  • NP Pirin

    InformationSatellite 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

    InformationSatellite 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

    InformationSatellite 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

    InformationSatellite 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

    InformationSatellite 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


Click on WAND to see Fatbirder’s Trip Report Repository…

  • 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 [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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 2023 [09 September] - Gerard Gorman

    PDF Report
    Annotated list
Places to Stay


Click on WAND to see Fatbirder’s Trip Report Repository…

  • 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…
Other Links

  • Birdwatching Bulgaria

    Website
    A rough guide to birdwatching in Bulgaria…

  • Bulgarian Nature on My Doorstep

    Website
    A collection of nature and landscape images from South West Bulgaria

  • Nature Monitoring

    Website
    Nature Monitoring is a consultancy company established with the aim to conserve Bulgarian nature. The services of the company include: biodiversity surveys, research, training, birdwatching and wildlife tours guiding, PR companies consultation, preparation of information materials on environmental subjects, etc.
Blogs

  • Mike and Jerry Black - Srebarna Birding Field Station

    BLOG
    We monitor and report on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Srebarna, North East Bulgaria. We provide weekly/monthly updates on the progress of the bird populations and information on other species and developments in the Reserve. In addition we cover trips to other parts of Bulgaria. We work closely with other organisations to actively protect the area and to promote the sustainable evolution of eco-tourism in this region

  • Nature Travel Bulgaria

    BLOG

  • Nikola Aleksandov - Bird Ringing in Bulgaria

    BLOG

Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see our sister site: WAND

Skip to content