Good Reasons to Visit Bulgaria

Dalmatian Pelican
White Pelican
Red-breasted Goose
Ferruginous Duck
Black Vulture
Griffon Vulture
Long-legged Buzzard
Levant Sparrowhawk
Rock Nuthatch
Wallcreeper
Masked Shrike
Paddyfield Warbler
Pied Wheatear
Semi-collared Flycatcher
Black-headed Bunting

Bulgaria

Mention Bulgaria and most birders think of the wetlands of the Black Sea coast. This is because there are some species here, like Paddyfield Warbler, Pied Wheatear and winter flocks of Red-breasted Geese, which are very difficult elsewhere in Europe (neighbouring Romania excepted). Lakes Sabla and Durankulak and the larger lagoons and bays which dot the coast to the south like Burgas and Mandra are now famed birding destinations. The Poda wetland just south of Burgas is a fine reserve managed by the BSPB. Many birders have worked these coastal wetlands from holiday resorts such as "Sunny Beach", "Golden Sands" and Albena. See BIRDING IN EASTERN EUROPE

But most of Bulgaria is mountainous and indeed the capital Sofia lies close to fine forested ranges like Rila and the west of the Stara Planina. Sofia Airport is connected to all major European airports and onward flights reach the Black Sea at Varna and Burgas. Some charters and "budget" airlines also fly directly to these seaside reorts.

Particularly good sites away from the coast include Orsoya Fishponds by the Danube in the NW, Kresna Gorge in the SE and the Rhodope Mountains in the south bordering Turkey and Greece. The east of this range is a fine raptor area with amongst others Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture and Levant Sparrowhawk, the west has Trigrad Gorge and its breeding Wallcreepers. South of Sofia the Rila range has Alpine species like Wallcreeper, Alpine Chough and Shore Lark. Indeed, Bulgaria has one of the richest and most diverse avifaunas in Europe and is worth a visit at almost any time of year.