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BIRDWATCHING TOUR IN BULGARIA
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Landscape in Bulgaria is extremely varied: vast plains alternate with rolling hills, deep river valleys, mountain ranges and massifs. There are altitudes from sea level up to
2925 m a. s. l. From birdwatcher's point of view, there is an unique opportunity to be near the Polar Circle and within less than an hour driving, to be in the Mediterranean. You can be at a sea beach with all typical birds here and only a few hours later to be at 2200 m a. s. l.
with all typical birds there, passing meantime through habitats typical at least for three biogeographical zones .
It is useful to know that due to excellent geographical position of Bulgaria at the crossroads between Europe and Asia Minor and between the South Russian Steppes and the Mediterranean, there are extremely high numbers of
birds usually known as "rarities" in most of the other European countries.
More than 380 have been recorded in the list of Bulgarian birds.Bulgaria is the closest and easiest country for many of them to be seen by West Europeans and Americans. There are large areas with almost no people and pure nature is very well-preserved there. You will be surprised to find an actually unknown country and you will be shocked to discover so wild nature areas, unbelievable for Europe in the beginning of the 21st century! Time seems to
have stopped centuries ago and in large areas you can forget about the existence of many attributes of civilization
such as artificial noises, industrial smoke - just the real spirit of wild nature.
Our program is for 14 nights/15 days
beginning at 09/10.05.2004 and includes
visiting four, rich in birds species, regions in Bulgaria -
Eastern Rhodopes, the Bourgas lakes, the lake
"Srebarna" on the Danube river and Middle
Balkans.
Group size - 8-15 pax. Leaders of the groups are provided from the
Sofia University (Biological Faculty).
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EASTERN RHODOPES
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The
Eastern Rhodopes are a unique Bulgarian region, with varied
landscapes, Mediterranean climate and valuable historical
monuments: traditional houses, Thracian tombs, rock niches and
stone bridges, rich folklore heritage - songs, legends and
habits. Exceptional biological diversity is preserved on an area
of about 6000 km2 (about 5.4% of the country's area). Due to the
Mediterranean influence special plant communities exist here,
including 22 Bulgarian and 37 Balkan endemic species. This is
the kingdom of raptors (eagles, vultures and many others), Black
Storks, reptiles, otters, wolfs and other interesting animals.
Much of the Biodiversity of the Eastern Rhodopes depends on the
existence of a century old tradition of extensive grazing by
livestock.
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SREBARNA PRESERVE
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The lake of Srebarna is situated by the Danube river, 18 km west of the town of Silistra, North-eastern Bulgaria. Its uniqueness is due to the fact that it is a main “station” along what is known as Via Pontica, the most important migration route of the birds of passage, which starts from Northern Europe and reaches Central Africa. The lake itself and its surrounding land were made a preserve in 1948, the guarded area being 600 hectares plus a buffer zone of 543 hectares. Some rehabilitation work has been carried out in order to restore its broken natural connection with the Danube, which guarantees the maintenance of its water supply. The depth of Srebarna varies between 1 and 3 metres. The whole lake is overgrown with reed and other water plants. Its flora is represented by 67 species of plants, some of which are rarely found in Europe. In the preserve there are 39 mammals, 21 reptiles and amphibians, and a dozen of fish species, among which pike, goldfish, rudd, etc.
The micro-climate, flora, fauna and other conditions of Sreburna make it a paradise for the feathered creatures. Over 100 bird species nest here - Dalmatian pelican, pygmy cormorant, egrets/herons, glossy ibis, spoonbill, mute swan, ruddy shelduck, gray lag goose, ducks, diving ducks, grebes, marsh harrier, terns, red-spotted bluethroat, bearded tit, etc. In 1975 Srebarna was included in the Ramsar convention for protecting damp zones with international significance. In 1977 it was made a biosphere preserve on UNESCO’s list. In 1983 it was put on UNESCO’s list of monuments of world cultural heritage and nature sights.
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CENTRAL BALKAN
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Bulgaria's heart - the region of the Central Balkan Mountain -
with the fabulous Rose Valley and the warm mineral springs of
Hisaria and Pavel Bania to the south, and the kingdom of the
beech forests, the pastoral landscapes and the Troyan and
Teteven brandy - to the north. The region of the Central Balkan
National Park is one of the most important territories in the
country from conservation viewpoint. Species of the temperate
and the Mediterranean climatic zones coexist there. This, as
well as the mountain's diverse relief and altitudinal
differences, create conditions for the existence of a great
number of plants and animals. In the very core of the National
Park, the massif of peak Botev, new plant species are still
evolving - 11 of the Balkan Mountain plants can be seen only
there. This protected territory is one of the last European
habitats of the bear, the wolf and the Balkan chamois. It also
hosts the largest protected European massif of beach forest,
some of the trees being over 250 years old. Being a part of the
Balkan Mountain - a emblem and sanctuary of the Bulgarian spirit
and culture - the Central Balkan region is one of the mot
majestic symbols of our nature and the Bulgarian natural
heritage.
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BOURGAS LAKES
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The lakes around the city of Bourgas (Pomoriisko, Atanasovsko,
Bourgas (Vaya) and Mandra with Poda) form the biggest and most
valuable wetland complex in Bulgaria. Their total area amounts
to 9500 ha, 3330 ha of which are declared protected. Besides
being rich in natural resources - fish, reed, game, salt,
medicinal mud, lye, etc.- they expose an exceptional
biodiversity. Forty fish species, 15 amphibians and reptiles, 35
mammal species, hundreds of invertebrate species and many plants
are recorded there, but the most impressive inhabitants of the
lakes are the birds, which can be seen there nesting, wintering
or migrating. The huge ecological and conservation value of the
Bourgas wetlands is due to their favorable bio-geographic
location. One of the major migratory "high-ways" in
Europe, called the Via Pontica, passes over and the Bourgas
wetlands are an essential resting place for the birds on their
way from the Danube delta to the Mediterranean coasts. The
Conservation Center "Poda" won recognition as a place
for surveys, conservation education, workshops, etc. The number
of its visitors in summer 2001 till reached the record of 2800
visitors monthly. After an absence of 10 years, a colony of
Glossy Ibises nested again in Poda PA. The Spoonbills, forming
the biggest colony in the country, together with the Herons,
Cormorants and the pair of Mute Swans nesting for the first
time, were a subject of special attention from the Center's
visitors. The tourist facilities (a boat at Vaya lake and an
attraction train at the saltworks) allow the visitors to enjoy
nature, which is inaccessible in any other way, and create
conditions for sustainability of the project's activities in the
future.
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