Winter Birding Tour, Red-breasted Goose in Bulgaria

Thousands of read-brested geese... The wetlands along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast are traditional hotspots for birding during this time of the year. Spectacular variety and numerous flocks of waterfowl could be seen in the larger lakes or in the shallow coastal lagoons by the sea coast. These easily accessible sites of international importance house approximately 70% of the world's wintering Red-breasted Geese population. Globally threatened species like Pygmy Cormorants, Dalmatian Pelicans and White-headed Ducks occur also. A matter of luck is also the registration of Lesser White-fronted Geese – one of the most endangered species on the Earth. The rest of the list comprises many other water-connected birds (as grebes, herons, egrets, swans, dabbling and diving ducks, waders, gulls etc.), numbering several hundred thousands individuals as a total. A magnificent quantity of high quality – unforgettable view, recommended for each real birdwatcher!

View Full Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival in Varna (Bulgaria)
Arrival at Varna Airport and transfer to the Northern Black Sea Coast. Overnight at the town of Kavarna.

Day 2. The beaches and wetlands Shabla and Durankulak
In the morning, we will try to find for the first time Red-breasted Geese grazing in the coastal fields. The rest of the day we spend around the lagoons, rich in waterfowl and especially famous for the wintering tens of thousands White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese (Great Egret, White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese, possibly Bean, Canada & Barnicle Goose, Rough-legged Buzzard, Black-necked Grebe, Yellow-legged and Pallas's Gulls, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Red-breasted Merganser, Snow Bunting, etc.). Overnight at the town of Kavarna.

Day 3. Dourankoulak – Srebarna Reserve
Early in the morning we will have the chance to enjoy the numerous goose flocks taking off from Dourankoulak lake – an amazing view, attracting birdwatchers form all over the world. After that we head North-West to the Danube River where we will have other interesting birds (like White-tailed Eagle, Pygmy Cormorant, Whooper and Bewick’s Swan, Tufted Duck, Scaup, White-headed & Long-tailed Duck, Smew, Goldeneyes, Bittern, etc.). One overnight at the guesthouse at Srebarna.

Day 4. Srebarna – Kaliakra
In the morning, we are checking the lake from the elevated balcony of the very guesthouse, have a walk around the reserve and take the back journey to the seaside. Overnight in Kavarna.

Day 5. Kaliakra – Bourgas
After breakfast we visit Cape Kaliakra where, except the breeding birds, the wintering species are often quite interesting (European Shag, Yelkouan Shearwater, Whooper & Tundra Swan, Black-throated & Red-throated Diver, Black-necked Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, White-headed Duck, possibly Great and Little Bustards etc.). Around noon we head to our next major stop – the Southern Black Sea Coast in and around the city of Burgas. If time allows, we check the always interesting Pomorie hypersaline lake (Greater Flamingo, Pygmy Cormorant, Bittern, Great Egret, Black-necked Grebe, Whooper and Bewick’s Swan, White-headed Duck, Common & Ruddy Shelduck, Eider, Pallas’s Gull, Red Knot, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, etc.). Overnight in Burgas.

Day 6. The mirrors of Burgas
We have a trip around the hypersaline shallow coastal lagoon of Atanasovsko with the adjacent Buffalo Grasslands, Poda Protected area and Mandra lake. These provide safe place for feeding and resting to many wintering species of birds (Dalmatian Pelican, Greater Flamingo, Pygmy Cormorant, Bittern, Great Egret, Black-necked Grebe, Whooper and Bewick’s Swan, Common & Ruddy Shelduck, White-tailed Eagle, Common & Demoiselle Crane, White-fronted Goose, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, etc.). Overnight in Burgas.

Day 7. Departure from Sofia
Today we are heading up to Sofia for your departure flight but before that we take a last look at Atansovsko lake and possibly Pomorie.

The tour is optimal as it includes all important hotspots for wintering species, and it is also adaptable and can be tailor-suited with respect to the customers’ schedule and flight dates. Srebarna Reserve can be excluded if customers’ time is shorter, as it requires deviation from the coastal line of the Black Sea, where the most wintering species concentrate.

Price Includes:
We stay overnight in small family run hotels on BB (breakfast included). All rooms are equipped with private facilities. Ordering lunchpacks is also possible
Airport Transfer on first & last day of the program
English-speaking guide - ornitologist
luggage and private transfers as per program
entrance fees for Cape Kaliakra and Poda lagoon
VAT and all local taxes.

Not Included:
flights
maps (could be requested in advance when booking the tour)
tips
alcohol drinks
other entrance fees
other meals (lunches/lunchpacks) and other personal expenses.

Additional Services:
Small group supplement (2-3 participants) - 150 EUR per person
Transfers from Sofia Airport to Varna and from Burgas to Varna airport-upon request

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