Breakfast is not available until 8.00, a slightly later start. This very good and untypical September weather is not the best of conditions for raptor migration, we still manage to see some.
An unplanned quick dive off to view some Salinas (salt pans) these very extensive, brought the day's highlight. Three dainty, twirling, restless little Red-necked Phalaropes flew in for a few minutes before just as hasty a departure. An unexpected pleasure. A Little Gull was also present amongst the Black-headed.
An unplanned quick dive off to view some Salinas (salt pans) these very extensive, brought the day's highlight. Three dainty, twirling, restless little Red-necked Phalaropes flew in for a few minutes before just as hasty a departure. An unexpected pleasure. A Little Gull was also present amongst the Black-headed.
Three fishermen and we three shared the very restricted viewing area over the north end of Lake Burgas or Vaya, confusingly they both mean the same. Hundreds of Dalmation and White Pelicans in a heat-hazy white mass at the far end of the lake, one Dalmation Pelican sailed majestically near enough to consider a photo.
The rest of the time we spent watching Great Crested Grebes fishing, constantly trying to satisfy the appetite of their stripe-headed, demanding youngster. Peculiar lighting conditions this morning.
Hundreds of Coots, more than I'ver seen at once - and didn't want to - to-day.
Parking at the side of a road, we then walked said road alngside a marsh on one side and the lake the other. Here we saw our first Black Stork appear over the mountain side before landing in the middle of a large group of Egrets. Two Kingfishers, a few Waders and a Pond Terrapin was the sum total. A marauding Marsh Harrier caused havoc for a while, before departing.
Minko went back for the car before moving on to another viewpoint, this time from a dry vegetated field above the water. A tiny bright orange moth was the main interest. The view was lovely.
Minko went back for the car before moving on to another viewpoint, this time from a dry vegetated field above the water. A tiny bright orange moth was the main interest. The view was lovely.
More Pelicans, a few ducks , Cormorants and distant waders. We did see a flock of 80 White Storks circling the road as we drove, lovely.
Time to return to Burgas for lunch, after replenishing the car's gas bottle. It switches to petrol when the bottle's empty but gas is cheaper.
Lunch was a very good burger in a chain of restaurants called Happy, where the waitresses are all very small and have red skirts which hardly cover their underwear. Marko swears that's not why he chose the venue. The men wore long trousers and long-sleeved shirts ! Unfair.
The afternoon's plans had to be aborted. We drove to a lake where it's possible to drive along a reedy channel beside a marsh and above the lake, hoping for Penduline Tit, Rails and Herons. Passing a snarling vicious looking dog, tethered so it was harmless, a series of loud whistles brought us to a halt. Minko hopped out for an amicable chat with a local who said that the lakes were now for fishing and private. That was disappointing as the whole area is good for birds. Dimiter will have to negotiate access with the owner if he wants to continue birding here. At least we saw a Gull-billed Tern before leaving.
We counted at least six White stork nests in one village, a mess of twigs on top of a pylon is the norm, a base often laid as an incentive for them. Their presence is considered to be lucky. This one was occupied this year.
We counted at least six White stork nests in one village, a mess of twigs on top of a pylon is the norm, a base often laid as an incentive for them. Their presence is considered to be lucky. This one was occupied this year.
Another body of water..... this time a ringing station is set up in the reedbed, reached by a rough track. Minko spoke to one of the group who he knows well. They'd trapped a Wryneck this morning and had seen a Penduline Tit. We didn't.
The next experience was lovely. A Levant Sparrowhawk appeared from the right immediately in front of the car, crossed in front of us and continued its speedy way through the bushes. Looking over a small and deep lake, the last one to freeze in winter where so many birds congregate that ' throwing a pin into it wouldn't reach the water' - Bulgarian saying, we added Gadwall, Lapwing and a Short-toed Eagle with a snake in its beak - Minko saw it well through my scope ! The light was of the soft, golden, late summer evening variety. Perfect.
Back to the Hotel soon after 5 p.m for a welcome couple of hours before supper. The food is good here and Minko has a fund of interesting stories for a 30 year old. Not meant to be patronising, his enthusiasm is infectious.
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