An eggy breakfast all round, after a cold and uncomfortable night. Pam has fried eggs, Minko and I had scrambled. The mattress is like a lumpy biscuit and the bed is very low for an ancient limper.
The gorge stay was short this morning, the Wallcreeper has obviously gone. We called in a hooded Minko, who actually has long trousers on to-day, and set off up a different valley from yesterday's. No Nutcrackers in the town to-day. The valley was still deeply shadowed, with very few birds evident. Again we followed a stream and found the same herd of cows and cowherd as yesterday. The herd contains a very distinctive spotty cow. We saw our first handsome Bulgarian sheep dog but, were unable to photo him.
M spotted a Dipper deep in the shadow of a tree, sitting on a branch - unusual in itself. The first thing I saw was an upside down Dipper. There was a perfect mirror image in a patch of calm water.
Some interesting fungi, Sheep's Nose
and Buttermushroom.
A cry from Minko gave me my first view of a flying Hazel Grouse. There was a pair, Pam and I only saw the one. I'm told that they are much wanted birds and seldom seen. Good one.
Apart from this, the place was pretty birdless, we re-did last night's valley and found some more passerines. Red-breasted and Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcaps, Chaffinches, Song and Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers. We saw three Long-tailed Tits in the hotel gardens this morning.
Back to the hotel for a light lunch of soup and coffee before setting off up a different valley, past the sizeable town of Borino.
The road through dense conifer forest was extremely rocketty. A stop at a large clearing sent Pam and I in search of flowers. More Colchicum, the leaves of a yellow Verbascum
a small Violet sp and the scars left by Wild Boar. A live Red Fox ran along the road.
Minko had been checking for Crested Tits, when called we joined him and saw two birds very well. Delightful birds.
On we drove........waw. Two Hazel Grouse, one a male, scurried along the road ahead. I snatched a few pics leaning out of my side window.
Minko got out to try and re-locate them whilst we walked the road. I had a further flying view.
M was ecstatic, the best views he'd ever had of these birds. Birders walk miles in search of any sort of view.
Minko rescued a small Grass Snake from the middle of the road, bringing it back for Pam and I to see before releasing it to the safety of the grass verge.
Another surprise was good views of an adult Goshawk, which dashed out of the woods and soared away over the hillside.
Minko rescued a small Grass Snake from the middle of the road, bringing it back for Pam and I to see before releasing it to the safety of the grass verge.
Another surprise was good views of an adult Goshawk, which dashed out of the woods and soared away over the hillside.
No idea of what this showy plant is, its centre flush with the ground.
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| Carlina Vulgaris (Minko asked girlfriend Maggie) |
Another window view, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding from a Thistle.
An early return, we are both tired so turned down another excursion. Almost as soon as we settled ourselves, Minko knocked to say that he'd found a Smooth Snake, would we like to see it. Of course. My photos are no use at all. As soon as it was uncovered - it was a large adult - it was off. Minko caught it and let it coil through his fingers - to the consternation of the hotel workers.
We are now sitting in the restaurant so that we can use the internet - the barman rigged up an extension lead for us. Another call from Minko and a fast (ish) removal to the garden. Two adult male Chamois on the cliffside immediately opposite the hotel, only 80-100 metres away. Brilliant.
Off to Sofia in the morning for our last two days. We're told that there's a lift - a relief from all the flights of stairs.
Off to Sofia in the morning for our last two days. We're told that there's a lift - a relief from all the flights of stairs.
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