BULGARIA’S VIA PONTICA FLYWAY autumn bird migration and eastern specialities along the Black Sea coast The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria hosts one of the largest autumn bird migrations seen anywhere in Europe. The Via Pontica flyway, as it is known, is the route taken by thousands of raptors, storks, pelicans, waders and passerines which are funnelled down a narrow stretch of coastline as they head southwards towards Africa. Many take advantage of rich wetlands, pristine steppe grasslands, rocky chalk c apes and narrow wooded valleys that the region offers. Our previous autumn tours have given us many unforgettable moments.... a huge flock of over 12,000 White Storks gently gliding from one thermal to the next; an Eleonora’s Falcon catching an Alpine Swif t overhead; Yello w Wryneck Wagtails pouring in off the sea at over 1000 pe r hour; admiring Pied and Isabelline Wheatears when the shout went up ‘Pallid Harrier’ - we ended up seeing five males that morning; we could go on.... Based in two coast al resorts and benefiting from the expert local help of members of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), our tour is timed at the peak of this migration. We can expect high counts of local breeding species such as European Bee - eaters, E urasian Golden Orioles and both Lesser Grey and Red - backed Shrikes. A series of freshwater lakes attract many wetland species as well as flights of pelicans and storks. Alongside a good range of common wader species, Red - necked Phalaropes and Marsh and Bro ad - billed Sandpipers regularly turn up. Overhead we need to keep an eye out for Long - legged Buzzards, Booted, Short - toed and Lesser Spotted Eagles, European Honey Buzzard, Montagu’s Harrier and Red - footed Falcon. As if all this was not enough, there is ple nty of other wildlife on offer t oo, and we have a good chance of see ing Bottle - nosed Dolphins as well as some of Bulgaria’s hundreds of species of butterfly. ITINERARY warblers and many other passerines are frequent ly found in the small wooded valleys. Nearby we will not want to miss the KAVARNA AREA Lakes Shabla and Durankulak, two bird - rich sites on the On arrival at Varna Airport, we transfer one hour to our first coast which hold L ittle Bittern, Ferruginous Duck, Pygmy hotel in a small harbour village n ear the town of Kavarna. W e Cormorant and Eurasian Penduline - tit. Citrine Wagtail has stay here for three nights, giving ample time to explore the provided a highlight here on past visits. Pallid Harrier is not best birding sites. Natural steppe, rocky headlands and small uncommon and we have seen them here on many occasions, marshes draw a wide range of birds to this region. joining the regular passage migrants whi ch include Red - footed Falcon, European Honey Buzzard and both White and We will visit the dramatic c liffs at Cape Kaliakra, where Black Storks. At the narrow and steep sided Bolata Valley, Yelkouan Shearwaters and Bottle - nosed Dolphins are residents such as Eurasian Eagle Owl and Long - legged frequently seen just offshore and Eleonora’s Falcons patrol Buzzard can be observed. the cliffs for tired migrants. Both Isabelline Wheatear and the handsome Pied Wheatear prefer the dry steppe along with Eurasian Stone - curlew, whereas Red - breasted Flycatcher, Partly because of traditional farming methods and partly due suite bathrooms. Packed lunches will be taken some days, on to a low human population density, many species are easier others we will have restaurant lunches. to see in Bulgaria than elsewhere in Europe, and these include Northern Goshawks, European Turtle Doves, PRIC E INCLUDES ….. Hawfinches, Thrush Nightingales and Cirl Buntings. All birdwatching excursions with Bird Holidays leader and expert local guide, full board accommodation (starting with BOURGAS AREA dinner on 6 th , ending with breakfast on 13 th ) , soft drinks at On day four we head south, birdwatching along the way. We meal times, bottled water throughout, all entrance fees, loca l will explore the flooded forest and large sand dune complex transport by mini - coach and international flights. around the Kamcia river mouth. This area is good for White - tailed Eagle, Eurasian Hobby and migrants. Oak forests at WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Goritza regularly produce good vi ews of Short - toed Travel insurance. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry. Treecreeper and a variety of woodpeckers including Black, Grey - headed, Middle Spotted and Lesser Spotted. We can INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS also drive over the Dylulinski Pass to watch for migrant Return flights from both Manchester and London Gatwick to raptors passing overhead. Home for the next four nights is a Varna using charter services provided b y TUI. Outbound flight small, family run hotel in the village of Sarafovo. On previous departs early morning; return flight arrives back early visits we have found lots of birds around our hotel, including afternoon. Little Owl, Red - rumped Swallow, Wryneck, Syrian Woodpecker and Crested Lark. From here we radiate out to th th visit a selection of neighbouri ng nature reserves, including 7 nights : 6 to 13 Septem ber 2019 Poda, which has an information centre manned by BSPB personnel. Coastal lakes at Pomorie and Alepu are rich in Principal leader: Lance Degnan birds and easy to explore. This whole area is a magnet for many migrant birds, so we can spend some time at these Local guide: provided by the BSPB w atch points and wait for the birds to come to us. Maximum group size: 12 clients with one leader The famous complex of wetlands around Bourgas, including and a local guide Lake Atanaso v sko, attracts a huge variety of birds at this time Cost with discount of year. The shallow lakes vary from freshwater to saline and (if you book before £ 1880 per person sharing th so provide conditions suitable for a variety of different bird 24 May 2019): (£ 140 single supplement) species. Herons will be represented by Black - crowned Night, Purple and Squacco, whilst Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill Full Cost: £ 1980 per person sharing and Ferruginous Duck are all regular. Dalmatian and White Pelicans collect in numbers, and we w ill also look out for Gull - Deposit: £300 per person billed Tern and all three marsh terns. Gulls include Caspian, Yellow - legged, Slender - billed, Mediterranean and Little. Reedy fringes are occupied by Great Reed and Cetti’s Warblers plus both Bearded Tit and Eurasian Penduline - tit s. There are meadows, bogs, low hills and woodlands in the nearby countryside which are good for a range of other birds including Lesser Spotted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Woodlark and various migrant flycatchers and warblers. The birds that could possib ly turn up at this time, especially from further east, are too numerous to list, but have included Terek Sandpiper on previous visits. After breakfast on the last day we must leave northwards to the airport, arriving in good time for our lunchtime flight back to the UK. CLIMATE AND PACE We are visiting at the end of a hot summer. Normally it is quite hot and dry, although on occasion we have found that autumn has arrived, with a distinct drop in temperatures and some rain. Breakfast will normally be taken at about 7 am. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field with short/medium length walks, mostly on the flat. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full board accommodation is provided with three nights at Kavarna and four nights at Sara fovo. We are delighted to say that we have found two excellent, locally owned hotels with a Middle Spotted Woodpecker high standard of food and accommodation. All rooms have en .