Bulgaria in Summer

Naturetrek Tour Report 31 July - 7 August 2012

Gentianella bulgarica Argiope lobata - spider

White Stork Carcharodes orientalis - Oriental Marbled Skipper

Report and images by Alan Outen

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Bulgaria in Summer

Tour participants: Alan Outen (leader) & Mario Langourov (local guide) with 11 Naturetrek clients Driver Sacho

Summary

During the course of just a week we had enjoyed superb scenery, a wonderful range of wildlife and splendid hospitality. We had seen an overall total of 763 identified species (the second highest ever for this tour) including 346 higher plants and 265 invertebrate species, of which 89 were butterflies and 31 moths, as well as 23 dragonflies, 23 bugs, 28 beetles etc. It is always difficult to find birds on this tour, being rather late in the season. The extremely high temperatures throughout the week also did not help as birds sort cover, but we nonetheless managed a creditable total of 95 species, including some not often seen on this tour; the tour average over eight years exactly 100 species.

Day 1 Tuesday 31st July

Fly Heathrow to Sofia then drive to Melnik via stop at Verdena River

Sunny on arrival in Sofia, hot, with maximum temp. 28°C As so often on this route, our flight was a few minutes late at take off from Heathrow but we made up time, landing twenty-three minutes ahead of schedule. Having cleared immigration and collected all our baggage, we found Mario, our Bulgarian guide, together with Peter and Susan who had travelled out separately. With the bus loaded up, we were on our way by 2pm. After travelling for less than half an hour we stopped at the Verdena River, a regular site for this tour and always a productive introduction to some of the Bulgarian flora and fauna, as well as a welcome opportunity to stretch our legs.

Common Glider, Map, Silver-washed Fritillary, False Grayling, Idas Blue, Lesser Purple Emperor, Clouded Yellow and Scarce Swallowtail were among the many butterflies seen, with the moths represented by several Humming-bird Hawk-moths. Additional interest was provided by Small Pincertail dragonflies, Beautiful Demoiselle damsels, two attractive Bush-cricket species (Poecilimon thoracicus and Tylopsis lilifolia), Red-winged Grasshoppers, a Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa), the Assassin Bug Rhinocoris iracundus and the red and black- striped bug Graphosoma lineatum (nick-named AC Milan Bug by one group). Birders noted Crag Martin, Treecreeper and Dipper, while the plants here included Soapwort, White Melilot, Wall Germander, Large leaved Spindle, Skeleton Weed Salvia verticillata, Echinops banaticus and Chamerion dodonei.

It was already 4.45pm by the time we left here, and we then made a comfort stop at 5.30pm near Samokov. This also gave sightings of Hooded Crow, Pallid and Alpine Swifts and Red-rumped Swallow. Continuing on our journey, we noted White Stork, Short-toed Eagle and Cornflower en route. We eventually reached our hotel in Melnik at 8.10pm where, after checking in, people decided they needed until 9pm to sort themselves out before a very welcome evening meal was eaten outside. The briefing that followed was completed at 10.40pm, after which all were ready to retire to their rooms. It had been a very long day though surely an interesting one.

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Day 2 Wednesday 1st August

Melnik; near Zornitsa; near Khotovo; Rupite Hot Springs; Marena Place Fishponds

Sunny, hot and dry with maximum temp. 34°C, becoming breezy by late afternoon A 7am pre-breakfast walk from the hotel was well attended, though the birds were rather disappointing with Red-backed Shrike the most notable, as well as several common UK species. Some entomological interest was provided by three attractive species: two shieldbugs Carpocoris mediteraneus and Eurydema ornatum and the beetle Clytra atraphaxidis. Butterflies were limited to Small Heath and Common Blue. The flora included Geranium macrorrhizum, Marrubium paregrinum, Eryngium campestre, Campanula scutellata and the yellow flowered Achillea coarctata.

Following a substantial breakfast, again eaten outside, we all assembled at 9am and boarded the bus. At 9.25am we made a thirty-five minute stop near Zornitsa village. Here the birders were able to see Bee-eaters and Woodchat Shrike, while insects included Southern White Admiral, the bush-cricket Decticus albifrons, another Praying Mantis and Violet Carpenter Bee. Among the plants here were Echinops sphaeroephalus, Scabiosa argentea, Centaura hyalolepis and C.salonitana var. macrantha.

We continued for just a few minutes and stopped again near to the village of Khotovo. This proved a productive stop, especially for butterflies with Southern White Admiral, Silver-studded Blue, Holly Blue, Long-tailed Blue, Great Banded Grayling, Oriental Marbled Skipper, Spotted Fritillary, Small Copper, Swallowtail and Scarce Swallowtail, with a Purple-barred Moth (Lythria purpuraria) a nice bonus. Other invertebrates were also good, among these being Southern Skimmer dragonfly, a fine bush-cricket Bucephaloptera bucephala, an ant lion species Creolon plumbeus, a long-horn beetle Chlorophorus varius, a large jewel beetle Julodis ornopordi and the Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi).

Birds seen here included Buzzard, Crested Lark and Lesser Grey Shrike, whilst a Golden Oriole was heard. Few paid much heed to the flora, though Christ's Thorn (Paliura spina-cristi), Periploca graeca, Centaurea diffusa, Nigella arvensis, Delphinium peregrinum, Melissa officinalis, Xeranthemum annuum and Equisetum telmateia were noteworthy additions to the list. We drove on just short distance before stopping again for a White Stork, a Hoopoe and a Hermann's Tortoise, and after just twenty minutes stopped yet again for an occupied White Stork nest and Italian Sparrows.

As it was already 12.55pm when we reached the hot springs at Rupite, we had our picnic lunch on arrival. In the shaded shelter where this was laid out, Mario spotted a Lattice Brown butterfly roosting in the rafters, while other butterflies at the site included Eastern Bath White, Small Copper, Southern White Admiral, Oriental Marbled Skipper and one of Mario's highlights of the week, a pair of mating Little Tiger Blues. As always here, the dragonflies and damsels were also a feature with Black-tailed, White-tailed and Southern Skimmers, Scarlet Darter, White legged Damsel and Banded Demoiselle among those noted on this occasion. Other insects seen included the curious-looking mantis species Empusa fasciata, Slant-headed Grasshopper (Acrida mediterranea), Ancyrosoma leucogrammes (a striped shield-bug species with very large 'shoulders') and the attractive Scollid wasp Colpa sexmaculata. In the stream were Western Mosquitofish, Marsh Frogs and Balkan Pond Terrapin, while the best of the birds were Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting, Barred Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, European Roller (a species rarely seen on this tour) and Bee-eaters. The plants here were also of interest, among these

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Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

being Maltese Cross (Tribulus terrestris) with fiercely spiny fruits, Lavatera thuringiaca, Heliotropium europeum, Echium italicum, Scolymus hispanicus, Centaurea rutifolia, Cynanchum acutum (Stranglewort) and the Dodder Cuscuta campestris. Many of the group dabbled their hands in the hot springs in which water temperatures can reach 74° C. Not surprisingly it is a popular place for locals as a spa.

We left here soon after 4pm, stopping again after twenty-five minutes, this time for welcome cold drinks and ice creams. We then drove to the Marena Place fish ponds. Here Scarlet Darter was abundant with Ruddy and Red- veined Darters also present. Large Copper butterfly was also common here, a stunning sight, with the delightful Lesser Fiery Copper also seen. Four other invertebrates that proved popular with the photographers were a fine specimen of the bush-cricket Decticus albifrons that posed in perfect position, the orange and black banded blister beetle species Mylabris variabilis, the impressive Megascolia flavifrons (the largest European wasp) and also the largest European centipede Scolopendra cingulata. Birds included Reed Warbler and more Bee-eaters, whilst among the plants were Penny Royal, both Sharp-leaved and Round-leaved Fluellen, and the white-flowered Cut-leaved Teasel.

We were late back to the hotel, where we arrived at 7.30pm, so dinner was not until 8.30pm and was followed by a run-through of the list for the first two days.

Day 3 Thursday 2nd August

Melnik; Kresna Gorge; above Illindentsi; Struma River; Marena Place small pond

Hot, dry and sunny, but becoming overcast later, with maximum temp. 34°C. In the course of this morning's pre-breakfast walk, Mount Olympus St John's-wort was added to the plant list and Daphne deftly caught a specimen; the grasshopper Oedipoda caerulescens, which reveals blue flash colours on the hind wings when it flies. It was, however, again disappointing for birds with Green Woodpecker perhaps the best.

After a good breakfast, we left on the bus at 9.22am. A brief stop in the village for lunch provisions gave good views of White Wagtail, while the leaves of a Horse Chestnut tree were heavily infested with leaf mines of the micro-moth Cameraria ohridella. This species was first observed in Macedonia in 1984 and described as new to science in 1986. It was first noted in Britain at Wimbledon in 2002, but is now widespread throughout most of the UK. As we drove, trees of False Acacia (Robinia pseudacacia - celebrated for producing a fruity and fragrant honey) were noted by the roadside and a Grey Heron was also spotted.

At 10.30am we arrived at the famous Kresna Gorge. This is one of the best natural history sites in Bulgaria, justly famous for its rich biodiversity but regrettably threatened by a major road development, which will be a tragedy. On this visit Krueper’s Small White, Southern Small White, Wood White, Common Glider and Sooty Copper were among the butterflies seen, whilst Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles and White-legged Damsels were around the riverside. Cicadas kept up a constant cacophony of sound and unusually one was visible and photographed. This was subsequently identified as Cicada orni. The superb red and black longhorn beetle Purpuricenis budensis, Lesser Stag Beetle, Violet Carpenter Bee and two shield-bug species Apodiphus amygdali (sometimes known as Stink Bug) and Codophila varia provided further entomological interest. Birds were again rather elusive though Jay, Raven and Dipper were seen and a Red Squirrel was at least some compensation. As

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

always, Eryngium campestre and Marrubium peregrinum were proving especially popular with a range of insects, while among other interesting plants here were Bladder Senna, Christ's-thorn (Paliurus spina-cristi), Nettle Tree (Celtis australis), Euphorbia cyparissias, E.myrsinites and Alyssum saxatile.

We left here at 12.50pm and drove for an hour to our picnic lunch stop, and another good site, above Illindentsi. As is usual here, the water trough was providing a home for several Yellow-bellied Toads. Birds were at last good with Golden Oriole, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch (another species not often seen on this tour), Crag Martin, Raven, Lesser Kestrel and a splendid Lanner Falcon. On the grassy slopes we found three different mantis species (Mantis religiosa and Empusa fasciata again plus the small Ameles heldreichi) while the spider Argiope lobata was another good find.

We left here at 3.50pm and made a twenty-minute comfort stop at 4.20pm, at which many again took the opportunity to purchase cold drinks and ice creams. After this we drove to another small pond in the Marena Place complex, near the Struma River. Here Lang's Short-tailed Blue and Knapweed Fritillary were among the additions to the butterfly list, while Red-veined Darter and a large digger wasp Sphex flavipennis both proved popular with the photographers. The plants included the shrub Amorpha fruticosa, a naturalised member of the pea family with purple flowers, originally from North America, where it is known by several common names including Desert False Indigo-bush and Bastard Indigo-bush. This attracted a lot of interest from the group as well as from visiting insects. Further plant interest included Spiny Cocklebur (Xanthium spinosum) and the Dwarf Bulrush or Miniature Cat's-tail (Typha minima). This last species is not included for Bulgaria in Flora Europaea, nor in some other lists of the Bulgarian flora. However my identification was confirmed from my images by Prof. Dimitar Dimotrov, the leading Bulgarian botanist.

We arrived back in Melnik at 6.45pm so a bit earlier than yesterday, but nonetheless we pushed dinner back to 7.45pm. After going through the checklists we made a short walk down the road to the old school building where individuals of the endemic subspecies of Kotschy's Gecko (Cyrtopodion kotschyi bibroni) could be seen on the walls.

Day 4 Friday 3rd August

Depart Melnik; transfer via Popovi Livadi mountain pass & Gotse Delchev Fishponds; arrive Bansko

Sunny and hot at first, cooler later and a breeze at the pass. Maximum temp. 33°C The pre-breakfast walk was a little more productive with Sombre Tit, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Jay, Golden Oriole and Bee-eater. The Geometrid moth species Horisme corticata and Red-winged Grasshopper were the best of the insects seen. Following our usual al fresco breakfast and then with all bills paid, keys returned and the bus loaded with luggage, we left at 9.30am. Our first scheduled stop at the Popovi Livadi pass at 1,375 metres was reached around 11am.

Clouded Yellows and Marbled Whites were numerous here, with other butterflies including Nettle Tree, Queen of Spain, High Brown and Silver-washed Fritillaries, Cardinal, Great Banded Grayling, Higgins’ Anomalous Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper. Moths were represented by Buff Footman, Nine-Spotted and Narrow-bordered Five-spot and Six-spot Burnets. This is also always a good site for attractive beetles and on this

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occasion these included Rose Chafer, Bee Chafer, Mint-leaf Beetle, a large weevil species (Lixus sp. possibly L. angustatus or L.algira, though members of this genus cannot be identified from images) and two longhorn beetles Stictoleptura rubra and Rutpela (=Strangalia) maculata. Two attractive Tachinid fly species are also worthy of mention, these being Phasia hemiptera and Gymnosoma rotundatum. The flora here is also good with Cirsium candelabrum. C.ligulare, Dianthus superbus, Euphorbia serrulata, Nepeta pannonica, Gentiana cruciata, Campanula patula, Cuscuta europaea and Common Spotted Orchid among the species seen. The mosses Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Big Shaggy Moss or Rough Gooseneck Moss) and Hylocomium splendens (known as Glittering Woodmoss or Splendid Feather Moss) also attracted attention, as did some fine specimens of the Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) and Grey Puffball Bovista plumbea. Birds were limited, though Grey Wagtail and Linnet were noted.

Our picnic lunch was ready for us when we returned to the bus and following this, we left here at 2.50pm, making a brief comfort stop half an hour later, with the opportunity yet again taken by many for welcome cold drinks and ice creams. At 3.50pm we reached our final scheduled site for the day at the Gotse Delchev fishponds. Here Great Reed Warbler, Kingfisher, Little Bittern, Black Stork, Black-crowned Night Heron and Hobby were among the species enjoyed by the birders. Dragonflies comprised Common Darter, Migrant Hawker, Broad-bodied Chaser and Small Pincertail, with Blue-tailed, Small Blue-tailed, White-legged and Small Red-eyed Damselflies. The flora included Flowering Rush, Berry Catchfly, Marsh Woundwort, Gipsywort, Linaria genistifolia, Centaurea stoebe and Erigeron annuus.

We were all back on the bus again at 6.15pm and drove the final leg of our journey to the ski town of Bansko, arriving at the Bansko Ski and Spa Hotel at 7.20pm. This was to be our base for the remainder of the week. Dinner at 8.30pm was followed, as usual, by the daily log.

Day 5 Saturday 4th August

Bansko; Vikren to Banderitsa; meadows above Bansko

Hot and sunny but a light shower in the afternoon. Maximum temp. 33°C. On the pre-breakfast walk the most noteworthy finds were Berry Catchfly and Horse Mushrooms (Agaricus arvensis).

Following breakfast we left at 9.12am and drove up to the mountain hut at Vikren at 1,950 metres, arriving at 9.50am. From here we walked downhill along the roadside to Banderitsa at 1,785 metres. The excellent higher plant flora here included Pinus mugo, Allium flavum, Bupleurum sibthorpianum, Digitalis lutea, Scutellaria alpina, Teucrium chamaedrys, Dianthus petraeus, D.gigantaeformis, Cerinthe minor, Polygala major, Asynema canescens, Onobrychis montana, Scorzonera purpurea, Campanula bononiensis, Rosa pendulina, Geranium sylvaticum, Veratrum album, Thalictrum minus and Sedum hispanicum. Birders enjoyed good views of Nutcracker and Red Crossbill, with Middle Spotted Woodpecker the only other bird of real note seen during the day. This is also another excellent site for butterflies and among the very many that were seen this year were Ottoman Brassy Ringlet, Silky Ringlet, Large Ringlet, Water Ringlet, Black Ringlet, Arran Brown, Eastern Large Heath, Large Wall Brown, Mazarine Blue, an as yet undescribed species of Anomalous Blue, Small Skipper, Olive Skipper and Dusky Grizzled Skipper. A fine caterpillar of Spurge Hawk-moth and three micro-moth species were also found, these being Lymphia chalybella, Tegostoma comparalis and Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer). Of these three, only the last occurs in the UK. Other noteworthy

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

insects were the grasshopper Podisma pedestris (with vestigial wings even when adult) and the bee-fly Exoprosopa capucina (neither of these occurring in the UK)

When all reached Bandersita we had our picnic lunch, supplemented by cold drinks and ice creams from the café. We left here at 3pm and drove down to another regular site for this tour, some meadows above Bansko. We reached the wooden bridge, that has seen better days, but which denotes the start of the walk to these at 3.35pm.

Plants here included Downy-leaved Hawthorn, Candelebra Thistle (Cirsium candelabrum), Dianthus deltoides, Inula aschersoniana and Salvia glutinosa. Among the butterflies were Meleager's Blue, Purple-shot Copper, Sooty Copper and Brown Hairstreak, while day-flying moths included Clouded Buff, Barred Red, and two non-British burnet moths Zygaena ephialtes (Black Burnet) and Z.carniolica, which lacks an authentic English name. Among other insects noted here were Field Cricket and the long-horn beetle Stenurella septempunctata.

We were back at the bus at 5.50pm and at the hotel at 6.05pm. Nonetheless some of the group requested that we delay dinner until 7.30pm.

Day 6 Sunday 5th August

Bansko; walk to fishpond and trout restaurant; meadows and woods above Bansko

Very hot, dry and sunny with maximum temp. 41°C. The pre-breakfast walk produced Yellowhammer, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Icterine Warbler and Black Redstart.

Following breakfast we left at 9am on a leisurely walk from the hotel, guided by Mario. Birds included Turtle Dove, Serin, Crested Lark, Tree Sparrow, Wood Warbler and Eastern Orphean Warbler, whilst an Agile Frog was a good find of another species not often seen on this tour. Many common plants were seen as would be evident along an English country lane, with the best being Large-flowered Hemp Nettle, Red Bartsia, Soapwort, Danewort and Yellow Loosestrife, while Wild Parsnip was proving popular with a variety of tiny insects. Among the butterflies noted were Silver-washed Fritillary, Large Copper, Small Copper, Mazarine Blue and False Grayling along with a good range of moths including Spotted Sulphur (extinct in the UK), Bordered Straw (a migrant reaching the UK in variable numbers), Silver Y, a male Common Heath (with the spectacular feathered antennae to detect the female pheromones), Thistle Ermine and White Plume. A Bishop's-mitre Bug, the large hoverfly Scaeva pyrasti and several Colorado Beetles in a potato crop also attracted attention.

With immaculate timing we reached the trout restaurant where we were going to have lunch on the stroke of 1pm. Apart from the vegetarians, all opted for the trout main course rather than the alternative, given on the menu as 'crap'! Following an excellent meal, we walked around the lake where Pumpkinseed or Blue-gill Fish (Lepomyces gibbosum) could be seen in the shallows. Black-tailed Skimmer, Southern Skimmer and Red-veined Darter dragonflies were hawking low over the surface, while a Hobby was watching above. The toadstool Psathyrella candolleana was among the other things noted here.

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Our bus driver Sacho had joined us for lunch so we then boarded the bus at 3.40pm, though in less than five minutes we stopped for a sighting of Northern Wheatear. We then drove to the same bridge that we had stopped at yesterday afternoon, but this time we walked along the roadside. Abies regis-borisii, Green Shieldbug and Balkan Copper and Cardinal butterflies were noted, and it was then Mario's intention to take us to look for Large Blue. However mention of Firecrest was a greater attraction for the group, so all the rest of us spent the remainder of our allotted time here, searching for this species. In this we were successful seeing at least two individuals. In the course of our search, Alan also found the uncommon spider Araniella alpica.

On our way back to the hotel we made a brief photo-stop at the famous Bansko washing machine. We arrived back at the hotel at 6.15pm and by request, dinner was again at 7.30pm.

Day 7 Monday 6th August

Bansko; Bezbog Lake via chairlift; meadows above Dobrinishte

Fine and sunny, maximum temp. 36°C but a more comfortable 26°C at Bezbog. On the pre-breakfast walk a Black Redstart was, presumably, the same bird seen flitting about in the same place as yesterday.

After breakfast we left the hotel at 9.05am and headed for the Gotse Delchev mountain hut at 1,438 metres, for the start of the two-stage chairlift ascent to Bezbog Lake at 2,240 metres. We arrived at the start at 9.44am and having distributed lunch provisions, Centaurea nervosa was noted as we walked through to the station. All had reached the top by 10.45am. Bezbog Lake means God Forsaken Lake, but all who come here agree that it is, in fact, a very beautiful place and the chairlift ride itself is also greatly enjoyed. The altitude meant that there were plenty of plants in flower with those noted this year including Gentiana pyrenaica, Geum montanum, G.coccineum, Bruckenthalia spiculifolia, Knautia midzorensis, Veratrum album, Subularia aquatica, Alopecurus inaequalis, Alpine Lovage, both Alpine and Nodding Willowherb, Round-leaved Saxifrage, Alpine Stitchwort, the delightful yellow flowered Eyebright Euphrasia minima, with the endemics Bulgarian Sheepsbit (Jasione bulgarica), Pinguicula balcanica, Gentianella bulgarica and Dianthus microlepis. Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica) was also common in the little rivulets.

There were still good numbers of butterflies at this altitude with Eastern Large Heath, Nichol's Ringlet, Water Ringlet, Ottoman Brassy Ringlet, Black Ringlet, Bulgarian Ringlet, Eastern Large Heath, Eastern Rock Grayling and Large Copper, as well as surprisingly Nettle Tree, Painted Lady and Small Tortoiseshell. Common Hawker and Yellow-veined Darter dragonflies and Scarce Emerald Damselfly (Lestes dryas) were by the lake, whilst the non-British hoverfly Dasysyrphus friulensis was the best of the other insects seen. Birds included Pallid Swift, Red Crossbill, Dunnock, Linnet, Willow Warbler and Alpine Chough. A few were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a Snow Vole.

There was flexibility in how high up people went and when they ate their lunch, but the group reassembled at the café for cold drinks etc. and at 4.15pm we were back at the top of the chair lift, ready for the descent. We were all back down at 4.50pm and we then drove a short distance to some meadows above Dobrinishte, arriving at 5.10pm.

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

The best finds here were Eastern Rock Grayling, Sombre Goldenring dragonfly, the Tortoise Bug species Eurygaster maura and Field Cricket. We were back at the hotel at 6.30pm and the evening meal was again taken at 7.30pm, followed by the run-through of species seen during the day and people's individual highlights of the week.

Day 8 Tuesday 7th August

Depart Bansko; Rila Monastery and riverside; return to Sofia; flight to Heathrow Breakfast was taken early at 6.50am and having paid bills and loaded luggage, we left at 7.40am, a little later than planned. We drove to the famous monastery of St Ivan of Rila. Founded in the tenth century, this is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction. We arrived here at 9.10am and the group had half an hour to explore the monastery. Pallid Swifts were overhead and a Common Footman moth was noted on a wall. Outside, one of the group found Dryad's Saddle Fungus (Polyporus squamosus). We then drove a short distance back towards Rila town to a riverside stop. This is a known site for the Poplar Admiral butterfly but this year we were, sadly, out of luck. A number of other butterflies were seen, the best of them Sooty Copper and White-letter Hairstreak. Birds seen included Dipper and a Song Thrush (new for the week!)

We left here at 10.30am and recommenced our journey towards Sofia and the airport. We made a twenty-minute comfort stop at a service station at 12.10pm when each of the group was able to purchase what they required for lunch. Here we also gave our thanks to Mario and our excellent driver Sacho. We reached the airport at 12.55pm, an hour and a half before our flight back to Heathrow, but plenty of time here. All were safely checked in and again our flight landed a few minutes ahead of schedule. All the group and their luggage made it back to Heathrow and we continued with our individual journeys home.

Acknowledgements:

My thanks to all members of the group for their company and patience, as well as for many contributions to the lists. My thanks also to my excellent Bulgarian co-leader Mario for his local expertise and guidance, as well as for identifying the butterflies, some other insects and most of the birds. Thanks also to our excellent driver Sacho and the staff in the two hotels who did their best for us.

I must also thank my good friend Prof. Dimitar Dimotrov (also known as Mitko) for help with some plant queries and Dr. Dragan Chobonov (Orthoptera) both these two from the Natural History Museum in Sofia where they are colleagues of Mario. I am also very grateful to the following contacts from various countries, for assistance in identification or in checking my own identifications for various groups: Elias de Bree, Gerard Pennards, Paul Beuk, Chris Raper, and Theo Zeegers, (various Diptera), Christian Schmid-Egger, (some Hymenoptera), Stoyan Beshkov and Colin Plant (some moths), Levente Abraham (Ant-lions), Sheila Brooke and Bernard Nau (some Hemiptera), Ilia Gjonov (Cicada), Martin Rejzek (Long-horn beetles), Ian Dawson (some spiders) and Peter Topley (Molluscs).

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Tour Report Bulgaria in Summer

Species Lists

Birds (=recorded but not counted; H = heard only) July/August

Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix h

2 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 

3 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 

4 White Stork Ciconia ciconia         5 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 

6 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4

7 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 

8 Little Egret Egretta garzetta  

9 Black Kite Milvus migrans 

10 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 

11 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo      

12 Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 

13 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 

14 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus      

15 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo  

16 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 

17 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 

18 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra  

19 Common Pigeon/Rock Dove Columba livia (feral)    

20 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus   

21 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 

22 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto    

23 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba  

24 Common Swift Apus apus 

25 Pallid Swift Apus pallidus   

26 European Roller Coracias garrulus 

27 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 

28 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster    

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August

Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

29 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 

30 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius 

31 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 

32 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis   

33 Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus  

34 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio         35 Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor 

36 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator  

37 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus h  

38 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius    

39 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica      

40 Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes h  h

41 Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus 

42 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula  

43 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix   

44 Northern Raven Corvus corax   

45 Sombre Tit Poecile lugubris  

46 Coal Tit Periparus ater  

47 Great Tit Parus major     

48 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus      

49 Crested Lark Galerida cristata   

50 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica         51 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris   

52 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum         53 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica      

54 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix  

55 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 

56 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 

57 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 

58 Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida  

59 Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina 

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

60 Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 

61 Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris 

62 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis    

63 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 

64 Goldcrest Regulus regulus  

65 Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer 

66 Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris 

67 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris       

68 Common Blackbird Turdus merula         69 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 

70 European Robin Erithacus rubecula      

71 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros   

72 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 

73 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 

74 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 

75 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 

76 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 

77 Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata 

78 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus   

79 House Sparrow Passer domesticus         80 Italian Sparrow Passer domesticus italiae 

81 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis  

82 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 

83 Dunnock Prunella modularis 

84 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea  

85 White Wagtail Motacilla alba         86 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs       

87 European Serin Serinus serinus 

88 European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris   

89 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis     

90 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina   

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

91 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra  

92 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra   

93 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella  

94 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia 

95 Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 

Mammals (†=dead)

1 Eastern Hedgehog Erinaceus concolor (=roumanicus) †

2 Lesser White-toothed Shrew Crocidura suaveolens h

3 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris 

4 European Snow Vole Chionomys nivalis 

5 Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus 

Reptiles & Amphibians

1 Hermann's Tortoise Testudo hermanni 

2 Balkan Terrapin Mauremys rivulata 

3 Kotschy's Gecko Cyrtopodion kotschyi bibroni 

4 Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis 

5 Green Lizard Lacerta viridis 

6 Viviparous Lizard Zootoca (=Lacerta) vivipara  

7 Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis   

8 Balkan Wall Lizard Podarcis taurica  

9 Grass Snake Natrix natrix 

10 Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata  

11 Common Frog Rana temporaria  

12 Agile Frog Rana dalmatina  

13 Marsh Frog Pelohylax (Rana) ridibundus h    

Fish

1 Balkan Trout Salmo troutta fario  

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2 Western Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis 

3 Three Spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus 

4 Pumpkinseed / Blue-gill Lepomis gibbosum 

Butterflies

1 Dusky Grizzled skipper Pyrgus cacaliae 

2 Olive Skipper Pyrgus serratulae 

3 Mallow Skipper Carcharodus alceae  

4 Oriental Marbled Skipper Carcharodes orientalis    

5 Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages   

6 Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola  

7 Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris 

8 Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma 

9 Swallowtail Papilio machaon   

10 Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius      

11 Small White Artogeia rapae       

12 Southern Small white Artogeia mannii  

13 Green-veined White Artogeia napi (inc balcanica)  

14 Krueper’s Small White Artogeia krueperi 

15 Eastern Bath White Pontia edusa     

16 Large White Pieris brassicae       

17 Clouded Yellow Colias crocea         18 Berger's Clouded Yellow Colias alfacariensis  

19 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni  

20 Wood White Leptidea sinapis      

21 Eastern Wood White Leptidea duponcheli  

22 Brown Hairstreak Thecla betulae 

23 White-letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album 

24 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas     

25 Scarce Copper Lycaena virgaureae 

26 Sooty Copper Lycaena tityrus    

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

27 Purple-shot Copper Lycaena alciphron 

28 Large Copper Lycaena dispar   

29 Balkan Copper Lycaena candens 

30 Lesser Fiery Copper Lycaena thersamon 

31 Little Tiger Blue Tarucus balkanicus  

32 Lang's Short-tailed Blue Leptotes pirithous  

33 Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus     

34 Green Underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis 

35 Mountain Alcon Blue Maculinea rebeli egg egg

36 Silver-studded Blue Plebeius argus   

37 Idas Blue Plebeius idas 

38 undescribed Bulgarian Anomalous Blue sp. nov. 

39 Brown Argus Aricia agestis       

40 Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus 

41 Mazarine Blue Cyaniris semiargus   

42 Ripart's Anomalous Blue Agrodiaetus ripartii  

43 Meleager’s Blue Meleageria daphnis 

44 Chalk-hill Blue Lysandra coridon  

45 Macedonian Chalk-hill Blue Lysandra philippi 

46 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus         47 Higgins' Anomalous Blue Polyommatus nephohiptamenos 

48 Lesser Purple Emperor Apatura ilia 

49 Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta   

50 Common Glider Neptis sappho    

51 Peacock Butterfly Inachis io   

52 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta     

53 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui    

54 Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae  

55 Comma Polygonia c-album         56 Map Butterfly Araschnia levana 

57 Cardinal Pandoriana pandora   

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

58 Silver-washed Fritillary Argynis paphia      

59 Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja   

60 High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe   

61 Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia   

62 Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe 

63 Spotted Fritillary Melitaea didyma  

64 Lesser Spotted Fritillary Melitaea trivia     

65 Marbled White Melanargia galathea    

66 Eastern Rock Grayling Hipparchia syriaca 

67 Tree Grayling Hipparchia statilinus 

68 Great Banded Grayling Hipparchia (=Kanetisa) circe   

69 Freyer’s Grayling Neohipparchia fatua 

70 False Grayling Arethusana arethusa   

71 Arran Brown Erebia ligea 

72 Large Ringlet Erebia euryale 

73 Bulgarian Ringlet Erebia orientalis 

74 Water Ringlet Erebia pronoe  

75 Nicholl's Ringlet Erebia rhodopensis 

76 Silky Ringlet Erebia gorge 

77 Ottoman Brassy Ringlet Erebia ottomana  

78 Common Brassy Ringlet Erebia cassioides 

79 Black Ringlet Erebia melas  

80 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina         81 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus  

82 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus    

83 Eastern Large Heath Coenonympha rhodopensis  

84 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus         85 Lattice Brown Pararge (=Kirinia) roxelana 

86 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria   

87 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera 

88 Large Wall Brown Lasiommata maera 

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

89 Nettle Tree Butterfly Libythea celtis  

Moths 

1 Spurge Hawk-moth Hyles euphorbiae L

2 Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum       

3 Pine Processionary Moth web Thaumetopoea pityocampa 

4 Nine-spotted Syntomis phegea 

5 a Burnet moth sp. Zygaena carniolica 

6 Black Burnet Zygaena ephialtes 

7 6-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae 

8 Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Zygaena lonicerae  

9 Clouded Buff Diacrisia sanio 

10 Buff Footman Eilema depressa  

11 Common Heath Ematurga atomaria 

12 Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata   13 Horisme corticata 

14 Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria 

15 Riband Wave Idaea aversata 

16 Purple-barred Yellow Lythria purpuraria   

17 Spotted Sulphur Acontia trabealis 

18 Silver Y Autographa gamma 

19 Burnet Companion Euclidia glyphica  

20 Scarce Bordered Straw / Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera 

21 Horse-Chestnut Leaf miner Cameraria ohridella  

22 Catoptria falsella 

23 Chrysoteuchia culmella  

24 Lymphia chalybella 

25 Thistle Ermine Myelois circumvoluta 

26 Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella  

27 White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla 

28 Pyralis farinalis 

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Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

29 Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata 

30 Pyrausta cespitalis 

31 Tegostoma comparalis 

Dragonflies   

1 Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens   

2 Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo     

3 Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans    

4 Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura pumilio 

5 Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum 

6 White-legged Damselfly Platycnemis pennipes    

7 Scarce Emeralald Damselfly Lestes dryas 

8 Common Hawker Aeshna juncea 

9 Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta  

10 Small Pincertail Onychogomphus forcipatus    

11 Sombre Goldenring Cordulegaster bidentata  

12 Balkan Goldenring Cordulegaster heros 

13 White-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum albistylum  

14 Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum   

15 Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens 

16 Southern Skimmer Orthetrum brunneum    

17 Banded Darter Sympetrum pedemontanum 

18 Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum  

19 Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum 

20 Yellow-winged Darter Sympetrum flaveolum 

21 Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii    

22 Scarlet Darter Crocothemis erythraea   

23 Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa 

Neuroptera (Lacewings, Ant-lions etc)

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 Large Mottle-winged Ant-lion Palpares libelluloides 

2 an Ant-lion sp. Creolon plumbeus  

3 an Ant-lion sp. Myrmecaelurus trigrammus 

Mecoptera (Scorpion Flies etc)

1 a Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.   

Dermaptera (Earwigs)

1 Common Earwig Forficula auricularia  

Orthoptera (Grasshoppers & Crickets)

1 a Bush Cricket sp Bucephaloptera bucephala 

2 a Bush-cricket sp Decticus albifrons 

3 a Bush Cricket sp Ephippiger ephippiger 

4 a Bush-cricket sp Leptophyes albovittata 

5 a Bush-cricket sp Poecilimon thoracicus.     

6 Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridissima  

7 a Bush-cricket sp Tylopsis lilifolia 

8 Field Cricket Gryllus campestris  

9 Slant-headed Grasshopper Acrida mediterranea   

10 Blue-winged Grasshopper Oedipoda caerulescens      

11 Red-winged Grasshopper Oedipoda miniata      

12 Podisma pedestris 

Dictyoptera (Mantids & Cockroaches)

1 a Mantis sp. Ameles heldreichi 

2 Cone-head Mantis Empusa fasciata   

3 Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa    

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Hemiptera (Bugs)

1 a Pond Skater Gerris sp.     

2 Water Cricket Velia caprai 

3 Bishop's Mitre Aelia acuminata  

4 Ancyrosoma leucogrammes 

5 Stink Bug Apodiphus amygdali 

6 a Shield Bug sp Carpocoris mediterraneus     

7 a Shield Bug sp Codophila varia 

8 Common Squash-bug / Dock Bug Coreus marginatus    

9 Deraeoceris ruber 

10 Hairy Shieldbug / Sloe Bug Dolycoris baccarum     

11 Ornate Shieldbug Eurydema ornata 

12 Scarce Tortoise Shieldbug Eurygaster maura 

13 AC Milan Bug Graphosoma lineatum (= italicum)       

14 Lygaeus equestris 

15 Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina   

16 Fire Bug Pyrrhocoris apterus  

17 an Assassin Bug Rhinocoris iracundus    

18 Pied Shield Bug Sehirus bicolor  

19 Aphrophora alni 

20 Common Spittlebug Philaenus spumarius  

21 a Cicada Cicada orni 

22 a 'froghopper' sp. Cicadella viridis  

23 as gall on Populus nigra Pemphigus vesicarius 

Trichoptera (Caddis-flies)

1 a Caddis sp. (female indet) Hydropsyche sp.  ♀ Diptera (Two-winged Flies)

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 a Horsefly sp. [fam: Tabanidae] Atylotus fulvus 

2 a Horsefly sp. [fam: Tabanidae] Chrysops caecutiens  

3 a Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Dasysyrphus friulensis 

4 Marmalade Fly Episyrphus balteatus 

5 [fam: Tachinidae] Eriothrix rufomaculata 

6 Drone-fly [fam: Syrphidae] Eristales tenax 

7 a Bee-fly sp. [fam: Bombylidae] Exoprosopa capucina 

8 [fam: Tachinidae] Gymnosoma rotundatum 

9 a Bee-fly sp. [fam: Bombylidae] Hemipenthes velutina 

10 as gall on Fagus sylvatica Mikiola fagi 

11 [fam: Tachinidae] Phasia hemiptera 

12 Pied Hoverfly Scaeva pyrastri 

13 Band-eyed Brown Horsefly Tabanus bromius 

14 Downland Horsefly Tabanus glaucopis 

15 Dark Giant Horsefly [fam: Tabanidae] Tabanus sudeticus 

16 a Bee-fly sp. [fam: Bombylidae] Villa sp. cf hottentotta 

17 a Bee-fly sp. [fam: Bombylidae] Villa sp. 

18 a Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Volucella inanis 

19 a Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Volucella pellucens   

20 a large Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Volucella zonaria 

Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps etc)

1 European Wool Carder Bee Anthidium cf. manicatum 

2 Honey Bee Apis mellifera     

3 Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius 

4 White-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lucorum 

5 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris 

6 a Parasitic Wasp sp. [fam: Scoliidae] Colpa sexmaculata 

7 a large ant species Cremogaster scutellaris 

8 as Robin's Pincushion Gall Diplolepis rosae      

9 as larval gall on Salix elaeagnos Eupontania viminalis  

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

10 Wood Ant Formica rufa 

11 Mammoth Wasp [fam:Scoliidae] Megascolia flavifrons  

12 a Paper Wasp sp. [fam: Vespidae] Polistes dominula  

13 as larval galls on Salix fragilis Pontania proxima 

14 a Wasp sp. [fam:Scoliidae] Scolia sexguttata 

15 A digger wasp species Sphex flavipennis 

16 European Hornet Vespa crabro  

17 Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea       

Coleoptera (Beetles)

1 Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus 

2 a Whirligig Beetle Gyrinus sp. 

3 Two-spot Ladybird Adalia bipunctata  

4 7-Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata       

5 Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis 

6 Fourteen-spot Ladybird Propylia quatordecimpunctata 

7 Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata    

8 Large Green Flower Scarab Cetonia aeruginosa (=Potosia) 

9 Cetonia cuprea 

10 Bee Chafer Trichius fasciatus 

11 a Flower Chafer Oxythyrea funesta 

12 Trichodes apiarius  

13 a Click Beetle sp Athous sp (family: Elateridae) 

14 Common Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva  

15 a blister beetle sp. [fam: Meloidae] Mylabris variabilis   

16 [fam: Buprestidae] Julodis onopordi 

17 Mint Leaf Beetle [ fam: Chrysomelidae] Chrysolina menthastri 

18 Poplar Leaf Beetle [ fam: Chrysomelidae] Chrysomela populi 

19 Clytra atraphaxidis 

20 Colorado Beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata 

21 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Chlorophorus varius 

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Common name Scientific name 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

22 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Purpuricenus budensis 

23 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Rutpela (=Strangalia) maculata 

24 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Stenurella semipunctata 

25 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Stictoleptura rubra 

26 a large weevil sp. Lixus angustatus/ algira 

27 a large weevil sp. Larinus sp. ?turbinatus 

28 a weevil sp Otiorhynchus sp. indet 

Arachnida (Spiders etc)

1 Oak Spider Aculepeira ceropegia      

2 a Funnel-web Spider Agalena labyrinthica   

3 Araniella alpica 

4 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus 

5 Lobed Argiope Spider Argiope lobata 

6 Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi     

7 a House Spider Tegenaria sp. 

Myriapoda (Millipedes & Centipedes)

1 Mediterannean Banded Centipede Scolopendra cingulata 

Mollusca (Snails, slugs etc.)

1 Cepaea vindabonensis 

2 a Snail sp. Helix lucorum  

3 Roman Snail Helix pomatius 

4 Mediterranean Coastal Snail  Theba pisana 5 Zebrina detrita  

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

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Oedipoda caerulescens - Blue-Winged Grasshopper View at Illindentsi Stenurella septempunctata - a longhorn beetle species