Birding the Strandja
Our one day birding tours are for both the avid birder as
well as the beginner. Each tour consists of a full day of intense birding (early morning to
Dusk). The tours listed below are season dependent, but, in
all cases we believe that they are exciting ones. Each
tour is led by a leading member of BirdLife International's
Bulgarian Partner, BSPB. Each guide is active in avifauna
conservation, providing you with not only a good source for
bird identification but also an insight on conservation
efforts in Bulgaria. (We recommend Mid May to Mid-June and
September for best observations)
TOUR ONE: We begin our
trip by heading north on the coastal highway to Poda
Lagoon. The Spoonbill is the symbol of the Poda Site.
The Poda Lagoon is home to the only Spoonbill colony on the
Black sea coast. Glossy Ibis, the Grey and Purple Herons and
the Little Egret also breed here, also Black-winged Stilts,
Terns, Avocets, Little Ringed Plovers can be found here.
From Poda we head south to
the Ropotamo Complex,
where one can find Gadwall, Coot, Moorhen, Red-necked and
Little Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Marsh Harrier etc. From
there we visit the Kitenska and Diavolska rivers
for
Black-headed/Yellow-legged
Gull, Pygmy Cormorant, Black Kite, Red-footed Falcon, White
and Black Stork, Common Buzzard and others.
Observations in the past have spotted 40 000 birds of prey,
up to 240 000 White Storks, over 30 000 White Pelicans as
well as flocks of Black Storks, Dalmatian Pelicans and
Cranes.
TOUR TWO: We begin our
tour at the Veleka Estuary and walk along the Veleka
River towards the King's Well. After lunch we head
South to the Silistar River and Estuary. Depending on
Season (For best sightings, we recommend Mid-May to Early
June or Mid September to Beginning of October) you can
expect to find:
Little Egret,
Black
Stork, White Stork, Squacco Heron, Grey Heron,
Sparrow Hawk, Sombre
Tit,
Yellowhammer, Sandwich Tern, Spoonbill,
Syrian Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s
Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard,
Red-footed Falcon and more.
We can offer specialized
tours deep inside the Strandja Reserve during the Month of
May, please contact us for more information.
GRADING &
FITNESS
The
walks are graded as medium and are well within the reach of anyone who enjoys an active,
outdoor life. However, to get the most out of the walking
opportunities available, the tourists should be in shape
before the arrival. All tours
begin and end in Sinemoretz and include picnic lunch and
plenty of bottled water. Walking shoes with good ankle
support is recommended!
EQUIPMENT
Insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, binoculars and comfortable
walking shoes. Clothing per season
PRICING
Full Day Outing:65€/pp: Single supplement:20€.
TOUR TWO:
55€pp: Single supplement: 20€.
Transportation, bottled water, guide, packed lunch,
membership in Birdlife International's Bulgarian Partner,
BSPB.
