Great Snipe, Lake Durankulak, Derek McAlone

Though we’d all birded this part of Bulgaria before, only DT had previously done so in spring; indeed it was the account of his 2013 visit that had whetted our appetites. Spring 2014 proved different in many ways but it more than lived up to our expectations and produced some memorable birding. Highlights included Great Snipe, Citrine Wagtails, Thrush Nightingales, five species of flycatcher (sometimes all in one day), along with flocks of marsh terns, herons and much more.

The area remains surprisingly little visited – we saw very few other birders in a fortnight of solid birding – despite decent infrastructure, excellent value food and accommodation and brilliant birding.

Weather

Perhaps best described as mixed with showers or spells of rain on many days but also some warm sunshine at times. A few misty mornings hampered birding until visibility improved. Often breezy too, with winds predominantly from the north or northeast. Maximum temperatures ranged from about 12C to 20C. This was in stark contrast to the unbroken sunshine and heat enjoyed by DT in exactly the same period last year but the rain undoubtedly produced birds and the relatively low temperatures did mean that we were able to bird comfortably all day.

Travel

One drawback for us of a spring trip to this destination is the lack of direct flights to Varna from any northern airports, thus we flew from Luton to Varna with Wizz Air www.wizzair.com booked on the internet (prices depend on baggage etc) and prompt, efficient and problem-free.

In view of the distance from Cumbria to Luton, we decided to stay overnight at Luton on both legs of the journey and booked accommodation and car parking through Holiday Extras. Air Parks dealt efficiently with the car parking though the shuttle bus drop off at the Holiday Inn Express involved either an uphill walk or a steep flight of steps (a problem in particular for guests with walking difficulties). An alternative to this would be having your car picked up and delivered to and from the hotel entrance at an additional cost of £35 each way. Also note that a triple room at the Holiday Inn consists of a double bed plus a single not three singles as we had anticipated; we chose to rent a second room at a cost of £90 per night. Not a great start to the trip! That said, the rooms and the breakfast were fine in the end and our subsequent complaint to Holiday Extras about what was, in our view, an unclear description of the accommodation, resulted in a £90 refund.

At Varna airport, we picked up a Vauxhall Astra saloon from SIXT booked through Economy Car Rentals www.EconomyCarRentals.com at a cost of £278. Whilst the pick-up was smooth and efficient enough, the car was less than satisfactory; we’d booked an estate but were presented with a saloon car and we then ended up having to replace the vehicle after a couple of days as the boot wouldn’t close (a problem that SIXT were aware of when handing the car over as they warned us that the boot release mechanism may require several attempts to activate it!). The replacement vehicle, a Renault Megane, was delivered very promptly to our hotel at our convenience but it too was not exactly pristine as the rear off-side brakes made a horrible, disconcerting binding noise. Again SIXT were aware of this as they mentioned it on delivery but insisted they’d checked it and, despite the noise, assured us that it was OK. It did last the trip without incident.

Accommodation

We booked our accommodation in advance on the internet. Our intention had been to stay at Branta Birding Lodge for the whole trip but this did not prove possible as the lodge was fully booked for the first four nights so we plumped for the Hotel Otdih in Kavarna where we’d stayed on a couple of previous occasions.

Hotel Otdih at Kavarna www.hotelotdih.com

Having stayed here on two previous trips, we had no hesitation in repeating the experience. Four nights at 80 Levs a night for a twin-bedded room and 60 Levs for a single room, including a very good breakfast. Comfortable with helpful, friendly, English-speaking staff and a good, by no means expensive, restaurant. Handily placed on the edge of Kavarna, with easy access out to Cape Kaliakra and just a 30 minutes or so drive from Durankulak.

Though not really situated in great birding habitat, our balconies overlooked a wooded park, producing some decent birds including Nightingale, Golden Oriole, Syrian Woodpecker and Wood Warbler.

Branta Birding Lodge at Durankulak http://birdinglodge.com/

As already mentioned, we spent all but our first four nights here at a cost of 35 euros per person per night per single room for bed, breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal. In a superb location overlooking Lake Durankulak, with comfortable rooms, flexible meal times, tasty home cooking and very friendly and hospitable hosts, this makes an excellent base for birding this part of Bulgaria. As owners Pavel and Tatyana were keen to point out, this is not a hotel but a birding lodge specifically tailored to the needs of birders! Pavel was away leading a tour during most of our stay, so we were unable to take advantage of his extensive local knowledge on this occasion but we were already very familiar with the area from previous visits.

The lodge is clearly in a superb birding location and species we saw pre-breakfast and whilst relaxing in the evenings included White Pelican, Great White Egret, Purple Heron, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Ruddy Shelduck, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Quail, Caspian, Whiskered and White-winged Black Tern, Syrian Woodpecker and Hoopoe.

Sites Visited

All our birding was concentrated in a relatively small area ranging from Cape Kaliakra in the south to Durankulak in the north, with repeated visits to a handful of main sites where, at this time of year, there was a constant turnover of birds. Sites were mostly the same as in past years so details and directions can be found either in Gosney or in our previous trip reports at http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/bulgaria though, thanks to the information gleaned by DT in 2013, we were able to add extra areas at Durankulak and on the coast between Kaliakra and Sabla to our itinerary.

White Pelicans, Lake Durankulak, Dave Thexton	Squacco Herons, Lake Durankulak, Ian Kinley

Lake Durankulak

The most productive area around the lake and one where we spent a lot of our time was the campsite at Kocmoc (signposted from the main E87 just north of Durankulak village) where the usually deserted children’s play area offers a raised vantage point over the marsh and shore providing an excellent migration watchpoint and the wooded area is very good for passerine migrants as well as hosting breeding Long-eared Owl.

Birding from Kocmoc play area, Ian Kinley	Kocmoc Track Pool, Derek McAlone

In addition, just before reaching the campsite, a small shallow pond (referred to as Kocmoc Track Pool) at the edge of the reedbed on the right hand side of the road proved a gem of a site with a constant turnover of waders and wagtails; it produced two of the highlights of the trip, a stunningly obliging Great Snipe and glorious views of Citrine Wagtails. Access is via a less than obvious but driveable (at least in dry weather) track which begins immediately before the first reedbeds and passes very close to the pool, best viewed from the car to avoid disturbance. Even if there appears to be little of interest at first glance, it’s well worth spending some time here as birds drop in and out with some frequency.

Red-throated Pipit (left) and Citrine Wagtail (right), Kocmoc Track Pool, Derek McAlone

We balked at the route leading to the southeast corner of the lake via the track alongside the shore north of Krapec and attempted the alternative off the E87 just south of Vaklino but found it too rough for our vehicle and had to turn back but then managed to get stuck in the ruts, needing assistance from a fellow Branta guest to extricate ourselves. Both routes require either a 4x4 or a greater degree of bravery (or foolhardiness) than we were prepared to demonstrate.

Kocmoc campsite wood, Ian Kinley	Quail, Kocmoc, Dave Thexton

Cape Kaliakra including the Bolata Gorge

Cape Kaliakra, Dave Thexton	Yelkouan Shearwater, Cape Kaliakra, Dave Thexton

Best to get here early in order to miss the worst of the tourist hordes which arrive from around 09:30 onwards (avoid weekends and holidays if possible). This will also mean you avoid the 3 levs entrance fee as the kiosk only opens at this time.  As with all migration hotspots, weather conditions play an important part in what you’re likely to see at this site but there’s always something of interest.

Pied Wheatear, Cape Kaliakra, Derek McAlone	Golden Oriole, Bolata, Derek McAlone

Perhaps best included as part of this site was an area of steppe-like habitat just west of the village of Balgarevo, Access is easy as the area is criss-crossed by a network of driveable tracks. This was our only site for Isabelline Wheatear and Stone Curlew.

Balgarevo steppe, Ian Kinley	Short-toed Lark, Balgarevo, Derek McAlone

Rusalka

One of the sites ‘discovered’ by DT in 2013 and lying just east of the road from Balgarevo to Kamen Bryag, this is another area of steppe habitat with a plantation alongside a minor road leading to a holiday complex. The open ground produced Short-toed Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Calandra Lark, Tawny Pipit, Roller, Woodlark, Lesser Grey and Woodchat Shrike while the plantation at times held good numbers of flycatchers – 100+ on one day – though it could also be birdless.

Tyulenovo plantation, Dave Thexton	Red-backed Shrike, Tyulenovo, Derek McAlone

Tyulenovo

Near Tyulenovo, north of Rusalka, another minor road leads down to the shore through an area of scattered trees and bushes that, as with the Rusalka plantation, was at times attractive to passerines, particularly flycatchers. It was another site visited by DT in 2013 and makes for an interesting day’s birding taking in Kaliakra, Rusalka and Sabla/Sabelenska Tuzla.

Collared Flycatcher, Tyulenovo, Dave Thexton	Red-breasted Flycatcher, Tyulenovo, Dave Thexton

Sabla Lake

We found no better access to the main lake at Sabla than in the past; moreover the water level in the one accessible bay was rather high making it far less attractive. The approach to the site did produce some good birds though and passed an attractive marshy area which was especially favoured by Glossy Ibis.

Sabla Lake, Derek McAlone	Sablenska Tuzla, Derek McAlone

Sablenska Tuzla

The water level was rather too high to attract waders other than Black-winged Stilts but did produce a Citrine Wagtail and a large group of Gull-billed Terns so it’s still a site not to be missed, especially in view of the added attraction of the woodland area for passerines that included four species of flycatcher.

Caspian Tern, Sablenska Tuzla, Derek McAlone	Thrush Nightingale, Sablenska Tuzla, Derek McAlone

Daily Itinerary

23rd April Travelled from Luton to Varna, arriving after dark. Overnight at Kavarna.

24th April Birding at Cape Kaliakra, Rusalka and Tyulenovo. Overnight at Kavarna.

25th April Birding at Durankulak, Sablenska Tuzla and Sabla. Overnight at Kavarna.

26thApril Birding at Cape Kaliakra, Rusalka and Balgarevo. Overnight at Kavarna.

27th April Birding at Durankulak Overnight at Branta.

28th April Birding at Durankulak and Sablenska Tuzla. Overnight at Branta.

29th April Birding at Cape Kaliakra, Rusalka, Tyulenovo and Sabla. Overnight at Branta.

30th April Birding at Durankulak. Overnight at Branta.

1st May  Birding at Durankulak, Tyulenovo and Sablenska Tuzla. Overnight at Branta.

2nd May Birding at Cape Kaliakra, Rusalka, Tyulenovo, Sabla and Sablenska Tuzla. Overnight at Branta.

3rd May Birding at Durankulak. Overnight at Branta.

4th May Birding at Durankulak, Sabla and Sablenska Tuzla. Overnight at Branta.

5th May Birding at Cape Kaliakra and Balgarevo. Overnight at Branta.

6th May Birding at Durankulak. Overnight at Branta.

7th May Birding at Durankulak before flying back from Varna to Luton.

Roller, Durankulak, Derek McAlone	Red-footed Falcons, Durankulak, Dave Thexton

Species List

We recorded a total of 185 species. More details are given of the rarer or more interesting species. The taxonomic order and scientific names are out of date; if they were updated at the time of writing, they’d be out of date by the time of reading anyway so we haven’t bothered!

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica Virtually ever present close inshore at most coastal sites with records including 10 off Cape Kaliakra on 24/4 and 12 north of Krapec on 1/5.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Common and widespread in sutable habitat.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Small numbers seen close inshore at most coastal sites.

Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan Good number seen in the first few days but none later in the trip. Records included c500 off Cape Kaliakra and c1000 off Tyulenovo on 24/4.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Common with huge breeding colony at Lake Durankulak.

Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus Mostly seen at Lake Duranku lak where 50+ were present at times.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis demaresnii Regular sightings from coastal sites, particularly Cape Kaliakra.

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Migratory flocks at Lake Durankulak included 11 on 25/04, 200 on 27/4 and 300 on 28/4 and 30/4. At times, birds were seen resting in a grassy field.

Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus A single flew north close inshore off Kocmoc, Durankulak on 30/4.

Bittern Botaurus stellaris Singles seen in flight at Lake Durankulak on 6/5 and 7/5.

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutes At Lake Durankulak, six on 3/5 and singles on 27/4, 30/4, 6/5 and 7/5 plus one at Bolata on 5/5.

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Small numbers at Lake Durankulak.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Seen at most wetland sites with some impressive flocks on migration at Lake Durankulak including 120 on 6/5.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Relatively small numbers at most wetland sites.

Great White Egret Ardea alba Modest numbers including up to 10 at Lake Durankulak.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Common with many moving north.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Frequent sightings including up to 10 at both Bolata and Lake Durankulak.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia Just small numbers seen, usually close to the rather few nest sites in the area.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Frequent sightings, mostly of small numbers at Lake Durankulak, with peak counts of 47 in the marsh near Sabla Lake on 25/4 and 36 flying north at Lake Durankulak on 30/4.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Seven over Lake Durankulak on 28/4.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor Common in wetland areas with some breeding.

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons A single European on the shore at Tyulenovo on 2/5 was a surprise.

Greylag Goose Anser anser Breeding birds present at Lake Durankulak.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Usually present at Sablenzka Tuzla.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea At Lake Durankulak, two on 25/4 and one on 4/5.

Wigeon Anas Penelope Occasional at Sablenzka Tuzla.

Gadwall Anas strepera Small numbers at Lske Durankulak.

Teal Anas crecca Small numbers at Lake Durankulak.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Small numbers in most wetlands.

Pintail Anas acuta Just one single at Lake Durankulak.

Garganey Anas querquedula Fairly small numbers seen mostly at Lake Durankulak.

Shoveler Anas clypeata Small numbers at Lake Durankulak.

Pochard Aythea farina Scarce, seen once at Lake Durankulak

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina A single drake at Lake Durankulak on 28/4.

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Up to 20 on Sablenska Tuzla and 10 at Lake Durankulak

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Scarce, seen once at Lake Durankulak.

Black Kite Milvus migrans Two flew north at Lake Durankulak on 6/5.

White-tailed Eagle Haliaetus albicilla A pair of adults seen frequently at Lake Durankulak, often giving good views.

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus A single at Rusalka on 24/4.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Widespread and common.

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus Occasional sightings of singles, both males and ringtails, at sites such as Durankulak, Sabla and Rusalka.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus Seen only at Bolata with one on 29/4 and two on 2/5.

Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes A single at Cape Kaliakra on 5/5.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus A single at Lake Durankulak between 3/5 and 6/5.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Frequent sightings in varying numbers. The roadside wires between Ezerec and Sabla and between the main road and Kocmoc were particularly favoured, especially in wet weather. Records included 15 near Kocmoc on 25/4, 13 between Ezerec and Sabla on 29/4, 12 near Kocmoc on 3/5 and 13 on Balgarevo steppes on 5/5.

Hobby Falco subbuteo Frequent sightings.

Quail Coturnix coturnix Very close views of one trying to hide in an extremely close-cropped patch of grass at Kocmoc on 27/4. Heard at a number of sites.

Pheasant Phasianus colchacus Regularly seen at Durankulak.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Heard at several wetland sites.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Common.

Coot Fulica atra Common.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Scarce and seen only at Sablenska Tuzla.

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Three at Balgarevo steppe on 26/4.

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Four at Lake Durankulak on 6/5.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Resident at the Track Pool at Lake Durankulak and nearby on the beach.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Occasional on the beach at Durankulak.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Occasional on the beach at Durankulak.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Breeding in fields around Lake Durankulak and Sablenzka Tuzla.

Knot Calidris canutus Occasional on the beach at Durankulak.

Sanderling Calidris alba Occasional on the beach at Durankulak.

Little Stint Calidris minuta Seen in small numbers especially Kocmoc Track Pool and Beach.

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Up to four at Kocmoc Track Pool and beach where virtually ever present.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Maximum of 20 at Lake Durankulak on the Track Pool and the beach.

Dunlin Calidris alpina Occasional on the beach at Durankulak.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax Maximum of 50 at Lake Durankulak on the Track Pool, the beach and flying over.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago Small numbers at Kocmoc Track Pool.

Great Snipe Gallinago media Undoubted highlight of the trip was the very obliging individual that performed in the open at the Kocmoc Track Pool on several occasions from 25/4 to 30/4.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Just a single at Kocmoc Track Pool.

Curlew Numenius arquata Just a single heading north over Lake Durankulak.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Three at Lake Durankulak on 3/5 on the beach.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythopus A single at Sablenska Tuzla was our only record.

Redshank Tringa tetanus Seen only once heading north over Lake Durankulak.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia Just a single at Kocmoc.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Seen in small numbers especially Kocmoc Track Pool.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Occasional on the beach at Durankulak.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres Occasional on the beach at Durankulak.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus A single pale morph off Tyulenovo on 1/5.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Common with regular northbound passage at all coastal sites.

Little Gull Larus minutus Regularly seen on passage especially at Lake Durankulak where records included 50 on 27/4 and 70 on 30/4.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Small numbers of mainly first summers at most wetlands.

Slender-billed Gull Larus geneii One at Sablenska Tuzla on 25/4, one north past Kocmoc on 27/4 and three off Cape Kaliakra on 2/5..

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Common and widespread.

Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans A single with Yellow-legged Gulls in a field near Balgarevo on 5/5 was the only one we positively identified though we didn’t scan through many flocks of large gulls.

Lesser Black-backed (Baltic) Gull Larus fuscus Regular sightings of small numbers at coastal sites, usually heading north.

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Five first-summer birds lingering around the fishing nets off Cape Kaliakra on 5/5 were a real surprise.

Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica Records included 20 at Lake Dirankulak and c50 at Sablenska Tuzla on 25/4.

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Three at Sablenska Tuzla on 25/4, two north past Kocmoc on 3/5 and one at Lake Durankulak on 4/5.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Frequent offshore and on the tern raft at Sablenzka Tuzla

Common Tern Sterna hirundo Frequent offshore and on the tern raft at Sablenzka Tuzla

Little Tern Sternula albifrons Occasional off Kocmoc campsite.

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Mostly recorded on passage at Lake Durankulak where records included 75 on 28/4, 50 on 3/5, 42 on 4/5, 200+ on 6/5 and 40 on 7/5.

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Again mostly recorded on passage at Lake Durankulak where records included 100+ on 25/4 and 50 on 27/4 and 28/4.

Black Tern Childonias niger As with the other marsh terns, mostly recorded on passage at Lake Durankulak (though the ratios of the three species changed significantly as the trip progressed) and records included 300 on 27/4 and 75 on 28/4. Elsewhere, 30 off Cape Kaliakra on 29/4 was the highest count.

Feral Pigeon Columba livia Widespread and common.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Widespread and common.

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Fairly common and widespread.

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Very common everywhere.

Long-eared Owl Asio otus There was a nest with three large young with an adult always in attendance in the wood at the Kocmoc campsite.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus A single in off the sea at Kocmoc on 30/4.

Scops Owl Otus scops One heard from Branta Birding Lodge in the early hours on 28/4.

Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus One seen after dark over the road a few kms south of Branta Birding Lodge on 4/5.

Alpine Swift Apus melba Up to 30 at Cape Kaliakra and small numbers in Bolata.

Common Swift Apus apus Mainly seen at Kaliakra.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Occasionally seen at Lake Durankulak.

Bee-eater Merops apiaster Frequent sightings of migrating flocks and small numbers of perched birds.

Roller Coracias garrulus Frequent sightings with some stunning close views. Seen at many sites, the most notable records being 11 on the roadside wires between Ezerec and Sabla on 28/4.

Hoopoe Upupa epops Widespread

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major Just one sighting in a small wood near Karmen Bryag.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor One seen and heard drumming in the wood at Sablenska Tuzla on 1/5.

Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopus syriacus Quite widespread.

Wryneck Jynx torquilla Singles at Bolata on 25/4 and Cape Kaliakra on 5/5.

Crested Lark Galerida cristata Very scarce with records restricted to one at Varna airport on 23/4 and two at Balgarevo on 5/5.

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Very numerous on Balgarevo steppe.

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra Fairly widespread in suitable habitat but particularly numerous on the steppes near Balgarevo and Rusalka.

Skylark Alauda arvensis

Woodlark Lullula arborea Two or three singing between Krapec and Lake Durankulak on 1/5 and one at Rusalka on 2/5.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia Huge numbers passing through.

Swallow Hirundo rustica Very common.

Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Relatively scarce with just small numbers seen, most reliably at Bolata.

House Martin Delichon urbicum Very common.

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Fairly common on the steppes near Balgarevo and Rusalka and also seen at several other sites including Sabla, Vaklino and Tyulenovo.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Scarce, mainly recorded at Kaliakra.

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Seen in small numbers at several sites, most regularly at Kocmoc Track Pool.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Some good numbers at times, with several races involved including feldegg (the breeding subspecies), flava, thunbergi and superciliarii

Citrine Wagtail Motocilla citreola Another of the trip’s highlights was provided by some super views of this species, especially at the Kocmoc Track Pool. Sightings there consisted of three (a male and two females) on 25/4 and 28/4, a male and a female on 6/5 and a male on 7/5. Elsewhere, we had a male at Sablenska Tuzla on 1/5.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba Small numbers but widespread.

Robin Erithacus rubecula Just One seen at Kaliakara.

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Common, song almost a constant background.

Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Quite numerous at times and actually easier to see than Nightingale. Many were also singing. Seen from 27/4 onwards at many sites, particularly favoured being the wood at Kocmoc, Cape Kaliakra and Sablenska Tuzla. Especially numerous on 28/4 when we had 15+ on Cape Kaliakra, at least three at Bolata and four or five at Tyulenovo.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus A common migrant.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros A female at Kocmoc on 27/4.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra A very common migrant

Stonechat Saxicola torquata Just a few seen, none well enough to determine which race was involved.

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina At least two pairs on the steppe near Balgarevo.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Both migrants and territorial birds seen at a number of sites.

Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschenka Most numerous at Cape Kaliakra but territorial pairs also seen by the shore at Bolata, Tyulenovo and Kocmoc.

Blackbird Turdus merula Common.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Scarce, just seen once at Bolata.

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitaries A male at Bolata on 24/4.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobanus Occasional migrants seen around wetlands.

Savis' Warbler Locustella luscinioides Common in suitable habitat.

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common in suitable habitat.

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephallus arundinaceus Common in suitable habitat, with obvious migrants also seen at Cape Kaliakra on .several occasions.

Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus Agricola A single heard singing and seen briefly at Lake Durankulak on 6/5. Frequent checks of favoured areas previously had proved fruitless so birds were clearly just arriving.

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallid One heard at Bolata on 2/5.

Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina Three at Cape Kaliakra on 5/5.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Very numerous at times.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis Small numbers but widespread.

Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria A singing male between Krapec and Lake Durankulak on 1/5 and two birds at Cape Kaliakra on 5/5.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Just a single seen at Kocmoc campsite.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Very numerous at times.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix A fairly common migrant.

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Common and widespread.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Common and widespread.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa sriata Very common migrant with records including 60+ in the plantation at Rusalka on 24/4.

Collared Flycatcher Ficudela albicollis Seen throughout the trip albeit in small numbers. Records comprised five at Rusalka and singles at Bolata and Kamen Briag, all males, on 24/4; a female at Kocmoc and a male and a female at Sablenska Tuzla on 28/4; four, two males and two females, at Tyulenovo and a male at Bolata on 29/4; a male at Sablenska Tuzla on 1/5 and single males at Kocmoc on 3/5, 6/5 and 7/5.

Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficudela semitorquata Single males in the wood at Kocmoc on 27/4 and 6/5 and at Bolata and Tyulenovo on 29/4 and single female(s) in the wood at Kocmoc on 3/5, 4/5 and 7/5. Many female flycatchers were left unidentified due to inadequate views and the sheer difficulty of separating them.

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca The commonest ‘black and white flycatcher’. Seen throughout with records including 30+ in the plantation at Rusalka on 24/4.

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Seen from 27/4 onwards. A relatively common migrant noted at most sites, with records including 10+ in the wood at Kocmoc on 4/5.

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Uncommon.

Great Tit Parus major Common and widespread.

Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus Occasionally seen and heard at Lake Durankulak with a maximum of six.

Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus A single at Lake Durankulak on 6/5.

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Initially scarce but becoming quite numerous and vocal as time went on with Bolata and Kocmoc particularly favoured.

Red-backed Shrike Lanius colluria Widespread and increasingly numerous.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Widespread in small numbers.

Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor First seen at Balgarevo steppe on 26/4 and then becoming increasingly widespread, albeit in small numbers.

Magpie Pica pica Common and widespread.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula Common and widespread.

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix Common and widespread.

Raven Corvus corax Scarce, seen only at Bolata

Common Starling Sternus vulgaris Common and widespread.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus Common and widespread.

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis Widespread and numerous in rural locations.

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Local, mainly around Durankulak.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Scarce, mainly Bolata.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Common and widespread.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Common and widespread.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina Local, mainly around Durankulak.

Reed bunting Emberiza reisera Scarce, seen only at Lake Durankulak in small numbers (eastern race reisera).

Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana A single male at Kocmoc on 6/5.

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephalus Two, male and female, at Cape Kaliakra on 5/5 were the only ones of the trip; a noticeably later arrival than in 2013.

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Common and widespread.

The table below compares the species recorded by DT in 2013 with this trip on exactly the same dates, hopefully illustrating how different two years can be but bearing in mind there were three observers in 2014, not always together, and that in 2013 DT was mainly a single observer and occasionally had to take a break in the heat of the day.

The numbers in the table indicate the number of days (out of 13) on which each species was recorded during the trip and gives a crude indication of how easy each species was to see.

  Total Species            167           185