Tag 1

Landing at Varna airport and transfer of about 60 km follows to the small Black Sea town of Kavarna for the next 3 nights. During the transfer we will cross the Balkan mountain range and we will have a couple of possibilities / opportunities for observations along the road.

Tag 2

After breakfast a visit to the nature reserve of Kaliakra and Bolata Valley and Kamen Briag village. This is a genuine natural steppe for as far as the eye can see there is only grassy plain interspersed with scrub and small stunted trees. The steppe is traversed by unexpectedly deep valleys. The coast is rocky, with vertical reddish-orange cliffs falling away from over 100 m into the clear bluish green depths of the sea. Here we have the first opportunity to observe the Red-breasted geese. We also hope to see Wren, Dunnock, Short-eared Owl, White-fronted Goose, Calandra Lark, Crested Lark and other species. We will take a packed lunch for the day – if the weather permits. After lunch we will make our final visit for the day to Topola cliff – where we hope to see the Eurasian Eagle Owl. Dinner and overnight at Kavarna town family hotel.

Tag 3

A trip to Durankulak Lake and its surrounding areas. A large sandy beach separates the lake from the sea. The lake with its extensive reed-beds and open water is one of the most important wetlands for breeding and migrating birds. Here one can observe the greatest concentration in Europe of the globally threatened Red-breasted Goose (up to 53 000 individuals in 2013), and the White-fronted Goose (at times up to 250 000 individuals). Other interesting and likely sightings are also the globally threatened Lesser White-fronted Goose, Long-legged Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard, Calandra Lark and other species. Packed lunch for the day – if the weather permits. After lunch we will visit Shabla Lake and Tuzlata lake. These areas are also of great importance for migrating and breeding birds. The lakes are separated from the sea by a long sandbar. Dinner and last night at Kavarna town.

Tag 4

Today, what lies ahead of us is the transfer to the Southern Black-sea coast. We will cross the Stara Planina Mountains (Balkan Range), which in egress sweeps down and touches the sea. Our first short stop for the day will be at Albena forest where we can expect Grey-headed and Black Woodpecker. Next stop is for our lunch break at the local restaurant of Goritsa village. On the hillside above the road are oak forests. Interesting birds to watch there are: Great Spotted, Middle Spotted, Lesser Spotted, Green Woodpeckers and Short-toed Treecreeper. Our last stop before arrival is at Banya village where we can observe buntings, Brambling, Sombre Tit and Wood Lark. In the late afternoon we will be arriving at the town of Pomorie where we will be accommodated at a local hotel for 3 nights. The hotel is located between the local saltworks and the sea.

Tag 5

After breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant , our birdwatching day will begin with a few minutes drive to the salt-works at Atanasovsko Lake. We are going to also visit the fresh-water lake of Vaya. All year round dozens of very rare and interesting species of birds can be observed here. Those of greater interest during the winter season are: Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, White-headed Duck (all three are globally threatened species) Smew, Bittern and Great White Egret. Packed lunch for the day – if the weather permits. Dinner and overnight at Pomorie town.

Tag 6

After breakfast we will continue our observations in Burgas region. We will visit the protected areas of the fresh-water lake Mandra, Chengene Skele Bay and Foros Bay – which are inhabited by a number of locally and globally endangered bird species. During the day we expect to see the same species as day 6 but also; Pallas’s Gull, Whooper Swan, Tundra Swan and Whitetailed Sea Eagle. Last night at Pomorie town.

Tag 7

Our day will start in the morning with a 4 hour highway transfer to Sofia. During the transfer we will make time for a few more observations along the road – where possible. We will arrive late afternoon and will be accommodated overnight in a most pleasant hotel at the foot of Vitosha Mountain National Park.

Tag 8

After an early breakfast our van will climb up to an altitude of about 2000m a.s.l. whilst In the Nature Park of Vitosha Mountain. Hopefully, there we will watch; Spotted Nutcracker, Red Crossbill, Ring Ouzel and Fire & Goldcrest, Woodpeckers. Lunch follows before later transfer to Sofia airport and departure.