Bulgaria – Djulinski Pass – 21st September 2011

The Djulinski Pass runs along a hilly landscape from Gjulijovica to Djulino and produced some quite fantastic birding and scenery.

Woodpeckers are frequent as the road passes through the wooded areas, Greater Spotted, Lesser Spotted, Syrian, Green and Grey-Headed.  Red-backed Shrikes can be seen all along the road side and in many of the villages.  Finally, at one spot we saw a calling Sombre Tit, one of our target birds.

East Anglia Year Count: 156

Bulgarian Count: 120

Life bird count: 414. Year bird count: 253. Month bird count: 145 (Sep).

Photo: Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Bulgaria – Lake Bourgas – 20th September 2011

Just back from a trip to Bulgaria, plenty to see with this being a massive migration route for birds moving through from eastern Europe to wintering grounds in Africa.

We experienced many birds but nothing as impressive as flocks of hundreds of White Pelicans.  In total we must have seen 5000 birds.

East Anglia Year Count: 156

Bulgarian Count: 120

Life bird count: 414. Year bird count: 253. Month bird count: 145 (Sep).

Photo: Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)