Leaving our only one night stay Hotel wasn't a hardship, although the Russian lady who served us breakfast was delightful. The usual continental cheese, sausage sp. and bread offering plus hard boiled eggs (cold). We both had one dry slice with cheese and another with unidentifiable jam. Minko went off to get our luggage as always - he's a good man - and Tatiana turned up with three bags containing something hot and savoury which we took away and ate late morning. Bread topped by a slice of ham covered in toasted cheese. It was very good cold.
M had seen Syrian Woodpeckers at the garage this morning. No sign when we arrived but, one flew through. A flying view at least.
A lovely drive through stunning mountain scenery, the acers already in their Autumn colour. We crossed two rivers which are tributaries of what becomes Greece's Evros and its fantastic delta. Due to the drought, rivers look like this.
One high area had been devastated by an extensive fire a mere two months ago. So sad, the first time M had seen it since. There were still the inevitable Shrikes and Spotted Flycatchers on the charcoal branches, a couple of Woodchat shrikes in addition to the Lord Voldemorts this morning.
One high area had been devastated by an extensive fire a mere two months ago. So sad, the first time M had seen it since. There were still the inevitable Shrikes and Spotted Flycatchers on the charcoal branches, a couple of Woodchat shrikes in addition to the Lord Voldemorts this morning.
Cirl Buntings in a winter flock were a surprise and a delight. Good views of Lesser Spotted and Syrian Woodpecker eventually.
We arrived at the vulture nesting cliffs at 11.00 a.m. I'm sure that M was horrified to find ONE Egyptian Vulture perched high - but pleased to see one as he thought that they would have left by now. We sat at a stone table and benches surveying the scene, a river valley below, high rugged cliffs to the right.
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| Pam's photo |
A very short time later, the Griffon Vultures started to sail in, I never saw any of them flap their wings in the couple of hours we were there. Giant sailplanes majestically surveying the world below them. My photos do not do them justice as all were taken from below, silhouettes against a pretty dull sky.
A second Egyptian Vulture joined the first, the only pair on this cliff and migratory whereas the Griffons are resident. There are 60+ pairs of the latter on the two sites in the area. They tried to introduce them in another area but they left and flew to this one !
A Black Stork was another photographic problem for the same reason, viewed from below against the light.
The hurtling Crag Martins, constantly cruising the cliffs and swooping past us, were beyond my abilities.
The weather map yesterday was scattered with 28C temperatures for the region, maybe I've underestimated the previous heat. When the sun came out, we were roasting, no shade. I was reminded of Jax's story about phoning Dimiter, asking for cold beer as they were thirsty.
Despite M trying hard, we only heard Rock Nuthatch and Rock Bunting, not new birds for us so not a problem.
The rest of the afternoon was spent travelling towards the Hotel Enigma, birding as we went. A very wide and almost completely dry river bed - again a new experience for M - had one puddle below us, where we enjoyed finding and photographing Marsh Frogs.
We passed some splendid basalt cliffs, reminiscent of Fingal's Cave and The Giant's Causeway which I hope to photograph to-morrow.
These cliffs, full of niches, trace back over 2,000 years to Thracian times.
One town had commisioned a mural of an Egyptian Vulture on the side of an apartment block. Good painting of the head but why the egg containing a human baby, bottom left? I could surmise.......
The Hotel Enigma is different from the ones usually used in this town, the usual ones are full because of a wedding. Our room is adequate if sparse. Very large shower/wet room, working aircon and WiFi but, no bedside tables and lamps.
Supper was good. The menu was in Bulgarian only so we depended on Minko to translate and recommend. The usual Shopska salad for me - tomato, cucumber, onion, peppers, sprinkled with cheese and topped by an olive. We then shared a sizzling dish of pork bits, a good selection of various vegetables and cheesy chips. In these rural areas, chips are always served sprinkled with cheese. We're not complaining. We did share some meat with an adult cat and her two delightful kittens. Wouldn't dream of feeding from the table at home.
The only butterflies identified to-day were the tiny Small Bath Whites so called because a tapestry in the city of Bath had identifiable pictures of their larger cousins, the Bath Whites.
We've tried to find the place names but failed - the map doesn't have them, nor the itinerary - we shall have to buttonhole Minko armed with pen and paper to-morrow.
The only butterflies identified to-day were the tiny Small Bath Whites so called because a tapestry in the city of Bath had identifiable pictures of their larger cousins, the Bath Whites.
We've tried to find the place names but failed - the map doesn't have them, nor the itinerary - we shall have to buttonhole Minko armed with pen and paper to-morrow.
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