The Black Sea coast is one of the top birding sites in Europe, and we shall explore it all the way from the Strandja Mountains near the Turkish border, to the southern part of the Danube Delta in Romania! Our visit coincides with the peak influx of Red-breasted Geese, when virtually the entire world population comes here in their tens of thousands from Arctic Russia! This spectacular assembly also includes White-fronted Geese and a few exceedingly rare Lesser Whitefronts, plus a large array of other waterfowl, including Black-throated Diver, Black-necked Grebe, White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Bewick’s and Whooper Swans, Ruddy Shelduck, Ferruginous and White-headed Ducks and Smew. Other wetland birds include Pygmy Cormorant, Bittern, Great Egret, Moustached Warbler and Bearded Tit. Even Pallas’s Gull from central Asia is possible, and offshore we may see Yelkouan Shearwater and up to three species of Dolphin! Exploring the varied habitats of the hinterland, we should find an assortment of exciting birds like Black, Grey-headed, Syrian, Middle Spotted and even White-backed Woodpeckers, large flocks of Calandra Larks, plus Sombre Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Great Grey Shrike, Brambling, Hawfinch and Corn, Pine and Lapland Buntings. On top of all this there are also plenty of raptors such as White-tailed and Spotted Eagles, Marsh, Hen and even Pallid Harriers, Long-legged and Rough-legged Buzzards, Goshawk, Merlin, Saker Falcon and Eagle Owl, so prepare for an outstanding trip list.
We fly with Wizz Air from Luton to Burgas, where we meet our local English-speaking guide and driver, for a short transfer to the three star Saint George Hotel, in Sarafovo, with sea views. From here we drive south to Strandja Nature Park near the Turkish border in search of the rare White-backed Woodpecker. During our stay here we shall also explore the coastal lakes and saltpans on the look out for waders, Pelicans and White-headed Duck. After two nights in Sarafovo we head north up the coast to Durankulak, just a few miles short of the Romanian border, where we have a four night stay at Branta Birding Lodge, overlooking lake Durankulak, with thousands of Red-breasted Geese on the doorstep! This is the ideal base for exploring the area as far as the Danube Delta across the border in Romania. At the end of this fabulous trip we drive south to Varna for the return flight home.
Cost £1095
What the price includes:
Wizz Air flights from Luton to Burgas and from Varna to Luton, all ground transport in Bulgaria, six nights full board en-suite accommodation, all excursions and reserve entry fees, bird checklist and the services of your guides.
Deposit: £250
No single supplement