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Post Info TOPIC: Bulgaria - Strandzha Mountains


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Bulgaria - Strandzha Mountains


Just back from a family holiday staying on the edge of the Strandzha Mountains in south-east Bulgaria, on the Black Sea coast. Stayed in a village about 10km inland from the sea - most of these birds were seen/heard in and around the house we stayed in, but a few are from the beach or other trips out.

72 different species - below just my own highlights (note that the 'heard' species were ID'd using the Merlin Bird ID app, so not 100% confirmed unless also seen).

Golden Oriole (heard every morning - gorgeous singing, managed a few good views on the odd time they stayed on the outer branches of the big Walnut tree in the garden, including adult male feeding young, but they're surprisingly hard to see considering their distinctives songs and calls)

Sky full of Barn Swallows, Red-rumped Swallows, House Martins and Swifts.

Tree Sparrow (as well as lots of House Sparrow)

Crested Tit and Bearded Tit (heard only)

Regulars in the garden and village: Red-backed shrike, Spotted Flycatcher, Cirl Bunting, Hawfinch, Greenfinch, Jay, Nightingale, White Wagtail, Nuthatch, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Short-toed Treecreeper (heard only), Buzzard.

One-offs/heard only: Whoopoe, Bee-eater, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart, Sardinian Warbler.

Woodpeckers: Every day - Great Spotted, Green and Middle Spotted. Fleeting visitors - Grey-headed, Syrian and Lesser Spotted (latter two heard only). When venturing into the forest - Three-toed (a little uncertain on this one - fairly sure though).

Owls: Tawny, Scops, Eagle, Little (latter two heard only, but often)

Heard (picked up by the Merlin app!), presumably flying over to nearby estuary: Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Water Rail, Grey Heron, Spotted Crake.

Poda marshland/coastal Reserve (Burgas), brief visit: Common Tern (hundreds), Little Egret, Pygmy Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow, Sandwich Tern (heard only), Purple Heron. Will try to go back to this reserve for a longer visit one Autumn or Spring as it's on the Via Pontica migration route (western-most tip of coast).

(some notable other wildlife too - Red Squirrel, Roe Deer, Grass Snake, Toad, Hummingbird Hawk Moth, Tortoise - not sure what kind, was too quick).

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