autumn migration

Hi Rose

Welcome to tthe forum.

I've just returned from Bulgaria to see the autumn migration of raptors, storks and passerines. I can confirm it's a great place to see these species flooding south at this time of year. We didn't go up to Lake Pelican at Srebarna Reserve which as you know is right up near the Romanian border on the edge of the Danube delta. We were exploring the lakes and salt pans near Burgas on the Black Sea coast. There were small flocks of Dalmatian pelicans around and huge flocks of white pelicans. There were raptors of all types including several species of eagles, harriers and buzzards although many of them were high up and difficult (for me) to identify without the help of an expert. In one 4 hour perion some 200 lesser spotted eagles were counted. Large flocks of both white and black stork were often overhead. Hirundines were everywhere and the cheerful warbling call of thousands of bee-eaters could be heard overhead on an almost continuous basis - sometimes flying so high that you needed binoculars to see them.

My understanding is that the Dalmatian pelicans leave their nesting grounds by the end of September to winter around the Black Sea coast so there may not be many left at Srebarna. That's something you would need to check if you are planning to stay there. White pelicans migrate further south to north east Africa. At the moment they are assembling in the lakes around Burgas in vast numbers before moving south. Here'sa rather distant view of them fishing with gulls scavenging for scraps.

And a flock of them passing over a watch point.

Here's a solitary Dalmatian pelican flying over.

I can't say this for certain but my feeling is that if you want to see the migration you would be better of visiting the Black Sea coastal region. That's where everything is gathering for the journey south. I don't know how long the migration lasts but the second half of September does seem to be a peak time and I would guess it would be diminishing by October.However, my knowledge on this is limited.

Hope this is of some help and if you want any further info let me know.

Regards TJ

Hi rose

Welcome to the forum x

And what good timing for your first post!  TJ is an enthusiastic and very knowledgeable birder and any information he can give you about Bulgaria will be spot on!!

Cheers

Pipit

ps - TJ, you can pay me later xxx

Hiya Rose and welcome to the forums I hope ye have a good time here  the folks are real cool and a great bunch ..

TJ  great write up there mate and fantastic pics too  Looks like it was a beltin time ye had and thanks for sharing it.

Cheers

AL

Hi TJ

Thanks a lot for the information - great photos too!!  Will look at black sea coast - limited as to when - schools half term is at the end of October.

Rose

Unknown said:

Hi Rose

Welcome to tthe forum.

I've just returned from Bulgaria to see the autumn migration of raptors, storks and passerines. I can confirm it's a great place to see these species flooding south at this time of year. We didn't go up to Lake Pelican at Srebarna Reserve which as you know is right up near the Romanian border on the edge of the Danube delta. We were exploring the lakes and salt pans near Burgas on the Black Sea coast. There were small flocks of Dalmatian pelicans around and huge flocks of white pelicans. There were raptors of all types including several species of eagles, harriers and buzzards although many of them were high up and difficult (for me) to identify without the help of an expert. In one 4 hour perion some 200 lesser spotted eagles were counted. Large flocks of both white and black stork were often overhead. Hirundines were everywhere and the cheerful warbling call of thousands of bee-eaters could be heard overhead on an almost continuous basis - sometimes flying so high that you needed binoculars to see them.

My understanding is that the Dalmatian pelicans leave their nesting grounds by the end of September to winter around the Black Sea coast so there may not be many left at Srebarna. That's something you would need to check if you are planning to stay there. White pelicans migrate further south to north east Africa. At the moment they are assembling in the lakes around Burgas in vast numbers before moving south. Here'sa rather distant view of them fishing with gulls scavenging for scraps.

And a flock of them passing over a watch point.

Here's a solitary Dalmatian pelican flying over.

I can't say this for certain but my feeling is that if you want to see the migration you would be better of visiting the Black Sea coastal region. That's where everything is gathering for the journey south. I don't know how long the migration lasts but the second half of September does seem to be a peak time and I would guess it would be diminishing by October.However, my knowledge on this is limited.

Hope this is of some help and if you want any further info let me know.

Regards TJ

 

Hi Pipit,

thanks  for that. 

Rose

Hi Al,

sounds good, glad  I joined!

Rose