Autumn Migration
This is a nine-day tour to the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Autumn migration here is comparable to that of anywhere in Europe, and we should encounter thousands of migrating birds, which should include White and Dalmatian Pelicans, White and Black Storks, and a host of raptors such as Lesser Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzards, Red-footed Falcon and Levant's Sparrowhawk. We start in the south of the country where the many wetlands, lakes and saltpans offers an impressive list of waders, gulls, herons and wildfowl. Then we spend four nights in the far north of the country close to the Romanian Border where the unspoilt rural countryside has many exciting birds to be found, the highlights from which may include Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, Pallid Harrier, Eagle Owl, Roller, Pied Wheatear and Rose-coloured Starling.

Day 1
Meet at the airport for our flight to Bourgas. Once there we'll be greeted by our knowledgeable local guide and escorted to our hotel in Pomorie the most westerly point along the Black Sea and our base for the next three nights.

Days 2 & 3
The exploration of nearby Lake Bourgas and Lake Atanosovsko along with the surrounding saltpans promises a phenomenal range and quantity of birds - far too numerous to list! This is Bulgaria's premier bird location - in fact one of Europe's principal hot spots. Here we should easily be able to find White and Dalmatian Pelicans, two of the most sought after species of the trip. It is also a haven for migrating waders, with just about any European species possible including Terek and Marsh Sandpipers. Another draw of the region is the awesome raptor passage , with species such as Lesser Spotted, Booted and Short-toes Eagles, Levant Sparrowhawk, Red-footed Falcon and Steppe Buzzard all likely and with some luck may include Imperial or Spotted Eagles, Pallid Harrier and Saker. Both Black and White Storks also pass through with the latter often forming huge flocks.

South of Burgas we visit the reed-fringed Lakes Mandra and Poda with flanking water meadows and woodlands, where Purple, Squacco and Night Heron are regular along with Spoonbill and both Great and Little Egret. Time permitting we can also visit Strandja Natural Park to explore the oldest Bulgarian nature reserve, where we look for White-backed Woodpecker .

Day 4
After breakfast, we set off on the 90 mile journey to our next base just 3 miles from the Romanian border. Heading north we stop off en route to visit the Salinas of Pomorie, where waders will again be a feature with Broad-billed Sandpiper and Red-necked Phalarope both likely. Gulls should include Little, Mediterranean and Slender-billed, while Black, White-winged Black and Whiskered Terns are also possible. We also explore the Kamchiya Nature Reserve with its renowned alluvial forest where Black, Grey-headed and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers and Short-toed Treecreeper are all resident. As the evening aproaches we arrive at the unique lakeside accommodation that is the Branta Birding Lodge. Overlooking Lake Durankulak and the Black Sea coast we are ideally situated for visiting many top birding locations in the north of the country.

Days 5 - 6
From this very comfortable base in the Coastal Dobrudja we visit Lakes Durankulak and Shabla, two pristine brackish wetlands lying in the path of main migration and serving as major staging points for large gatherings of birds including Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Ruddy Shelduck, Ferruginous Duck and Red-crested Pochard . It is also the scene of thousands of passage pipit's wagtails and hirundines, amongst which we should be able to find Red-throated Pipit, Red-rumped Swallow and Citrine Wagtail, along with several races of Yellow Wagtail. Other birds of the area are likely to include Syrian Woodpecker, Great Reed & Moustached Warblers, Penduline Tit, Golden Oriole and Spanish Sparrow.

Cape Kaliakra is a wonderful area of steppe bounded by lofty sea cliffs and featuring several sites of archaeological note. Looking out to sea we hope to see Yelkouan Shearwaters , Shag, Red-necked Grebe and possibly breaching dolphins . On the Steppe we should find Stone Curlew, Hoopoe, Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Tawny Pipit , Isabelline Wheatear and maybe even a group of resting Dotterel. We will also keep an eye out for mammals as this is the haunt of Steppe and Marbled Polecats and European Souslik . Migrating passerines frequently touch down at the cape and are likely to involve large numbers of Red-backed Shrike and Red-breasted Flycatcher while Barred Warbler or Bluethroat are also possible and flocks of Bee-eaters pass overhead . This is also home to Eagle Owl and breeding Pied Wheatear, a few of which should still be around.

Day 7
After breakfast we set off to spend the day exploring the Romanian section of Coastal Dobrudja region including visits to the most exciting birding locations along the Romanian coast. Likely sightings on route include Long-legged Buzzard, Roller and Lesser Grey Shrike. We'll visit a number of important sites where large concentrations of gulls, terns and waders should be present. Amongst these we will look for Collared Pratincole, Caspian Gull and Caspian Tern. While other birds encountered may include White-tailed Eagle, Little Bittern and Bearded Tit. We may even locate Great Black-headed Gull; a species which has recently began to breed in the area.

Day 8
After breakfast, we set off on the return journey. Heading south we visit locations where Grey-headed & Black Woodpeckers, Sombre Tit and Woodchat Shrike are resident birds. Continuing south we will revisit some of our favorite sites around the Bourgas area to see what new birds have dropped in or get better views of birds already encountered. |Finally as darkness approaches we will have a final meal in Bourgas before transferring to the airport for our flight home.

Day 9 : Arrive early morning back in the UK, concluding what will surely of been a most enjoyable tour.

Images:   top to bottom
Pallid Harrier © Pavel Simeonov,   Dalmation Pelican © Pavel Simeonov,   Broad-billed Sandpiper © Pavel Simeonov,
Pygmy Cormorant © Barak Granit,   Red-backed Shrike © Howard broughton,   Roller © Pavel Simeonov,