Bulgaria in Summer

Naturetrek Tour Report 27 July - 3 August 2013

Catocala sponsa - Dark Crimson Underwing Moth Graphosoma semipunctatum - shieldbug species

Nucifraga caryocataractes - Nutcracker Cyrtopodion kotschyi bibroni - Kotschy's Gecko

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 (botanist and general naturalist) and local guides Mario Langourov (entomologist) and Dancho Koutsarov (ornithologist and dragonfly specialist) together With eleven Naturetrek clients

Summary

During the course of just a week we enjoyed superb scenery, a wonderful range of wildlife and splendid hospitality. We had seen an incredible total of 928 identified species (a record for this tour) including 390 higher plants and 371 invertebrate species, of which a superb 110 were butterflies (tour record) and 73 moths (tour record) as well as 35 dragonflies (another tour record), 36 bugs, 29 beetles etc. It is always difficult to find birds on this tour, being rather late in the season. The extremely high temperatures at the start of the week did not help as birds sort cover, but we nonetheless managed a creditable total of 97 species, including some not often seen on this tour.

Day 1 Saturday 27th July

Fly Heathrow to Sofia; drive to Melnik

Sunny on arrival in Sofia, hot, with maximum temperature 27°C It was not the most auspicious of starts as our flight was delayed for more than an hour 'due to overbooking'. In actual fact it transpired that this was because the aircraft being used was smaller than the one originally scheduled and luggage also had to be moved. Unfortunately one of our group was among those ‘bumped off’ the flight and was to be flown out via Vienna. We made up some of the time and arrived in Bulgaria just 48 minutes late. After clearing immigration and collecting baggage, we found Mario and Nikolay awaiting us. Nikolay, our local representative, was to have been our bird leader, however due to a health problem he was not going to be with us and had arranged another bird leader, Dancho. Ruth had been further delayed, so arrangements were made to have her collected on arrival at Sofia and brought to the hotel.

Despite these initial problems, all went well subsequently and it was a superb week! The bus was loaded and soon after 3pm we were on our way. After travelling for less than half an hour we stopped at the Verdena River, a regular site for this tour and a chance to stretch our legs and breathe in the air. As always, it was a productive introduction to some of the Bulgarian flora and fauna. Clouded Yellow, Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral, Common Glider, Map, Pearly Heath, Meleager's Blue, Chequered Blue, Purple-shot Copper, Scarce Copper, Lattice Brown and Scarce Swallowtail were among the many butterflies seen, with the moths represented by Orange Moth and Nine-spotted. Additional excitement was provided by Balkan Goldenring, Pincertail and Common Club-tail Dragonflies, the endemic Black-winged Saw Bush-cricket Ancistrura nigrovittata, both Red and Blue-winged Grasshoppers, Rose Chafer, the dark blue and red beetle Trichodes apiarius, the longhorn beetle species Stenurella semipunctata, the bug Rhinocoris iracundus and the attractive Tephritid fly Xiphosia miliaria. Birders had to settle for Robin, Blackcap, Grey Wagtail and Dipper. The wealth of plants here included Soapwort, White Melilot, Large-leaved Spindle, Crown Vetch, Marrubium peregrinum, Chamerion dodonei and Allium flavum.

Despite the fact that we had been here an hour and a half (in which time I had made 90 entries in my notebook) and we were already running late when we arrived, it was hard to drag the group away. Eventually all were back on the bus and at 5pm we continued our journey, noting White Stork and Hooded Crow en route. After a

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

further 70 minutes we made a ten-minute comfort stop, in the course of which Crested Lark and Spanish Sparrow were among the additions to the list. We continued until we could see Melnik in the distance and we made another brief stop for the view of Melnik Rocks. Here we the found male and female of both Argiope bruennichi and A.lobata spiders, the bush-cricket Decticus albifrons and the grasshoppers Calliptamus italicus and Acrida mediterranea. The botanists noted Centauria solstitialis and C.diffusa.

We eventually reached our hotel in Melnik at 8.15pm, where after checking in and a short while for people to sort themselves out, a very welcome, though rather late, evening meal was eaten outside, where we were joined by a Green Shieldbug! The briefing which followed was completed at 10.30pm, by which time most were ready to retire to their rooms after what had been a very long day, though all agreed an extremely productive and interesting one. At this point we learned that Ruth had finally landed and had met up with Peter Delchev, (Nikolay's son) who was driving her to the hotel.

Day 2 Sunday 28th July

Melnik; Novo Hodzhovo; Chuchuligova; Rupite Hot Springs

Sunny, hot and dry with maximum temperature 36°C A 7am pre-breakfast walk from the hotel was well attended and those present were rewarded with sightings of Red-rumped Swallow, Crag Martin, Middle, Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Sombre Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Corn, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Nightingale, Willow Tit and Redstart, as well as several common UK species. In addition, a Grey-headed Woodpecker was heard but could not be located. A Painted Lady was the only butterfly seen while the plants included Geranium macrorrhizum, and the yellow flowered Achillea coarctata.

At breakfast we at last met Ruth, who had finally arrived at the hotel at 1.15am. Following a satisfying breakfast, again eaten outside, we all assembled at 9am and boarded the bus. At 9.20am we made a fifteen minute stop, initially for a Short-toed Eagle, but Rock Sparrow, Crested Lark and Balkan Wall Lizard were also quickly spotted, as well as a Keeled Skimmer dragonfly, and with Teucrium montanum, Heliotropium europaeum and Onoprdum illyricum among the plants.

We continued to the village of Novo Hodzhovo, close to the border with Greece. Here a large White Stork nest and its main inhabitants, as well as Spanish Sparrows nesting within the nest structure, proved popular with the photographers. The were leaf mines of Cameraria ohridella on Horse Chestnut, now prolific in the UK, whilst John B found the curious little lace-bug Corythucha ciliata on the leaves of its host, Oriental Plane. This lace-bug is another alien species that is now invading the UK. As we walked down to the river, Mediterranean and Mallow Skippers, Southern White Admiral, Iolas, Silver-studded and Lang's Short-tailed Blues, Knapweed Fritillary and Scarce Swallowtail were among the butterflies noted, while the red and black striped bug Graphosoma lineatum (= italicum) (aptly christened AC Milan Bug by someone in the group) also attracted attention. Another Short-toed Eagle drifted overhead while soon after a Golden Oriole was spotted, with a Kingfisher over the river. Also at the river were Beautiful and Banded Demoiselle damselflies, and Banded Darter, Spotted Darter and Southern Hawker dragonflies. Additional insect interest was provided by the impressive large longhorn beetle Morimus funereus, the jewel beetle Julodis ehrenbergi, the shield-bug Apodiphus amygdali and the large Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea. The flora here included Christ's Thorn, Nettle Tree, Italian Viper's Bugloss, Skeleton Weed, Branched Plantain and Pink Everlasting.

2 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

We left here at 11.50am and drove on for just 10 minutes, arriving at Chuchuligovo village. Walking from here we saw further good butterflies such as Grizzled and Pigmy Skippers, Lesser Spotted Fritillary, Lesser Fiery Copper and Eastern Bath White. Once again there was a good selection of other interesting insects including Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa), Red-veined Darter, the shieldbugs Carpocoris mediterraneus, Graphosoma semipunctata and Codophila varia, the large Clerid beetle Trichodes crabroniformis, and a nymph of the large Egyptian Grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptiacum) among them. A Hawfinch was a good addition to the bird list, whilst plants included Eryngium campestre and Gypsophila repens.

At 1.30pm, following our picnic lunch we drove on, arriving at the hot springs at Rupite at 2pm. Here water temperatures can reach 74° C and it is a popular place for locals as a spa. This is always a very productive site and this year was excellent. The butterflies included Small and Sooty Coppers, Southern White Admiral, Lattice Brown and Tree Grayling, while several moths were also seen including Common Emerald, Small Blood Vein, Oblique Carpet, Rosy Footman and Purple-Marbled. As always here the dragonflies and damsels were also a feature with Southern Skimmer, Scarlet Darter, Migrant Spreadwing, Small Red-eyed Damsel, Small Blue-tailed Damsel and White-legged Damsel among those noted on this occasion. The enormous carnivorous bush-cricket Saga natoliae, the largest European insect, was a superb find (and for several their highlight of the week), with the leatherbug species Centrocoris spiniger and Coriomeris denticulatus and the plant-hopper Opsius stactogallus also recorded. In the stream were Western Mosquito-fish (Gambusia affinis), Marsh Frogs and Caspian Pond Tortoise, while the best of the birds was a group of Bee-eaters. The plants here are also of interest and included Maltese Cross (Tribulus terrestris) with fiercely spiny fruits, surely a threat to the bare-footed bathers, Lavatera thuringiaca, Digitalis lanata, Periploca gracea, Cynanchum acutum (Stranglewort) and the Dodder Cuscuta palaestina.

We left here at 5.10pm, stopping for welcome cold drinks and ice creams on our way back to the hotel, where we arrived at 6pm. Our excellent dinner at 7pm was followed by a run-through of the list for the first two days.

Day 3 Monday 29th July

Melnik; Marena Place Fishponds; above Illindentsi; Kresna Gorge

Sunny, exceptionally hot and dry with maximum temperature 44°C. The forecast had warned that today would reach 44°C and so it proved, by far the highest temperature ever reached on this tour. All coped extremely well and we ensured we kept topped up with fluids throughout the day.

This morning's pre-breakfast walk again produced Sombre Tit as well as Rock Bunting, Middle and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Golden Oriole, Willow Tit and Alpine Swift. The most noteworthy plant was Large Venus Looking Glass. An attractive cranefly species Nephrotoma crocata had been attracted to the hotel lights overnight.

After another substantial breakfast we left just after 9am and drove to Marena Place Fishponds. Here the insect diversity was impressive and interesting. Dragonflies here included Emperor, Lesser Emperor, Yellow-veined, Scarlet and Spotted Darters, White-tailed and Southern Skimmers and Black Pennant, with Short-tailed Blue, Little Tiger Blue, Lesser Spotted Fritillary and Scarce Swallowtail among the butterflies, as well as the moth Schinia cognata. Other interesting insects that were admired, as well as being photographed by some, included the large ant-lion Palpares libelluloides, the smaller but attractive Myrmecaelurus trigrammus, the mantis Iris oratoria, the

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

impressive spider-hunting wasp Cryptocheilus alternatus, the longhorn beetle Chlorophorus varius, the bush cricket Tettigonia caudata and the Flatid plant-hopper bug Phantia subquadrata.

Pumpkinseed fish (Lepomis gibbosum) as well as more Western Mosquito-fish were observed in the shallow water at the margins of the large pond where Marsh Frogs were also seen, as well as being very vocal. Meanwhile the birders noted Little Bittern, Bee-eater, Kingfisher, Little Ringed Plover and Short-toed Eagle. The flora was also rich and included Stachys germanica, Consolida regalis, Nigella arvensis, Echinops banaticus, Scolymus hispanicus, Dipsacus laciniatus, Typha domingensis, and Amorpha fruticosa.

We left here at 12.30pm and drove for an hour to our lunch stop, and another good site, above Illindentsi. In the water trough here were Yellow-bellied Toads. Raven and Lesser Kestrel were overhead whilst on the grassy slopes we found Southern Small White and Hermit butterflies, Praying Mantis and the large shieldbug Aphodipus amygdali. Blue Gromwell and Centaurea salonitana var. macrantha were the best of the plants. Hanging in the trees were some illegal moth traps baited with lethal chemicals. Several scarce moth species were present in some numbers including Dark Crimson Underwing (Catocala sponsa) and Small Yellow Underwing (Panemeria tenebrata), in addition to a number of butterflies. Mario was able to confront those who had set the traps, who claimed to have permission to set them, which was untrue, as this would have had to go through the Museum at Sofia! Mario made a couple of 'phone calls about this and the traps were then removed and emptied. They were put into the back of the bus before we left. By this point the temperature was at its highest and the smell of the volatile chemical was pervading the bus! Fortunately we did not drive far before stopping at a service station where the offending articles were dumped in a waste bin and covered over! The twenty-minute stop here also gave us the opportunity to purchase very welcome cold drinks and ice creams, whilst on the outside window of the service station was the Pyralid moth Synaphe punctalis, which was duly added to our species list.

At 4.25pm we reached our final stop of the day at the famous Kresna Gorge. This is one of the best natural history sites in Bulgaria, justly famous for its rich biodiversity and it is always well worth spending time here. Regrettably the site is threatened by a major road development, which will be a tragedy. As always, there was plenty of interest. Southern White Admiral, Krueper’s Small White and Nettle Tree were among the butterflies seen, whilst Eastern Spectre and Small Pincertail Dragonflies, White-legged Damsels and Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles were around the riverside. Cicadas kept up a constant cacophony of sound but, as always, were elusive to see. Two superb longhorn beetles Purpuricenis budensis and Chlorophorus hungaricus, the orange and black leaf beetle Clytra atraphaxidis and the plant hopper Agalmatium bilobum (family Issidae) were additions to the list, as was the bush cricket Oecanthus pellucens. Following the nymph of yesterday, an adult of the large Egyptian Grasshopper was also found. Among the more interesting plants here were Christ's-thorn (Paliurus spina-cristi), Nettle Tree (Celtis australis), Echinops sphaerocephalus, Euphorbia cyparissias and Trifolium incarnatum. As always Eryngium campestre and Marrubium peregrinum were especially popular with a range of insects.

We left here at 6pm and arrived back in Melnik at 6.50pm, so pushed dinner back to 7.40pm. 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.

4 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Day 4 Tuesday 30th July

Melnik; drive to Bansko via Popovi Livadi Mountain Pass and Gotse Delchev Fishponds

Sunny at first, hot and humid, maximum temperature 36°C. Cooler later after thunder, lightning and some rain, torrential during the night. The pre-breakfast walk was still well attended despite the fact that this was transfer day. Several of the species seen previously were again present, with the addition of Wood Warbler and Song Thrush. The group also liked Dancho's use of the name 'Golden Finch'. A Lesser Stag Beetle was the only other species of note.

Following our usual al fresco breakfast, and with all bills paid and the bus loaded with luggage, we left on time at 9am, but after 20 minutes made an impromptu five minute halt for a Long-legged Buzzard. Our first scheduled stop at the Popovi Livadi pass was reached at around 11am. Butterflies here included numerous Clouded Yellows and Marbled Whites as well as Nettle Tree, Queen of Spain, High Brown and Silver-washed Fritillaries, Cardinal, Purple Emperor, Red Admiral, Woodland Ringlet, Pearly Heath, Wood and Eastern Wood Whites, Common, Long-tailed, Lang's Short-tailed, Silver-studded, Macedonian Chalkhill, Osiris, Holly, Higgins’ Anomalous, Mazarine and Ripart's Anomalous Blues, Brown Argus, Purple-shot and Scarce Coppers, Scarce Swallowtail, and Small, Large and Grizzled Skippers - a staggering total of 30 species! It did not stop at that either, as a good selection of other invertebrates were also seen including the bushcricket Poecilimon thoracicus, longhorn beetles Stictoleptura rubra and Rutpela (=Strangalia) maculata, as well as iridescent green Rose Chafers and Mint-leaf Beetles and two species of crab spiders Thomisus onustus and Xysticus ninii. The flora here was also good with Cirsium candelabrum. C.ligulare, Saponaria glutinosa, Dianthus gracilis, Linaria genistifolia, Teucrium chamaedrys, Nepeta pannonica, Stachys alpina, Gentiana cruciata, Campanula patula and Common Spotted Orchid among the plant species seen. The pored fungus species Albatrellus ovinus was also an interesting find as this is a species that does not occur in the UK.

Our picnic lunch was ready for us when we returned to the bus. Following this we left here at 2.05pm, making a brief comfort stop half an hour later, with the opportunity also taken for welcome cold drinks and ice creams. At 3pm we reached our final scheduled stop for the day at the Gotse Delchev fishponds. Here Great Reed Warbler, Little Bittern, Little Ringed Plover, Cormorant and Cuckoo were among the birds seen. Dragonflies included Banded, Red-veined and Ruddy Darters, Emperor, Lesser Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer, Norfolk Hawker and Small Pincertail, with Blue-tailed, White-legged, Small Red-eyed and Winter Damselflies. A Freyer's Purple Emperor was spotted resting on tree foliage above us, while further insects of note were Musk Beetle (Aromia moschata), Water Strider (Aquarius paludum), Large Mountain Grasshopper (Stauroderus scalaris) and Buffalo Hopper (Stictocephalus bisonia). The flora included Flowering Rush, Berry Catchfly, Penny Royal, Gipsywort, Rigid Hornwort and Erigeron annuus.

As we got near to completing the circuit, thunder and lightning were soon followed by big spots of rain. We were all back on the bus again at 4.50pm and as we drove the last leg of our journey to the ski town of Bansko, the rain became heavy. At 5.55pm we arrived at the Hotel Grami, which was to be our base for the remainder of the week. A very enjoyable evening meal, followed as usual by the daily log, rounded off yet another superb day.

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Day 5 Wednesday 31st July

Bansko; walk Vikren to Banderitsa; meadows above Bansko

Hot, sunny and dry, maximum temperature 28°C. The centre of a busy town is not really conducive to a meaningful pre-breakfast walk and past experience has shown this to be unproductive, so none are organised. Nonetheless, there is the compensation that a range of moths and other insects are attracted overnight to lit balconies. Species caught are boxed and passed round at breakfast prior to subsequent release. This morning these comprised Silver Y, Small Emerald, Least Carpet, Scorched Carpet, Riband Wave, Spotted Sulphur (a species extinct in the UK) and the micro-moths Spindle Ermine (Yponomeuta cagnagella) and Synaphe punctalis.

Following a satisfying breakfast, we left on time at 9am and drove to the mountain hut at Vikren at 1,950 metres, arriving at 9.40am. From here we walked downhill along the roadside to Banderitsa at 1,785 metres. The higher plant flora here is excellent and included Allium flavum, Erigeron atticus, Bupleurum sibthorpianum, Rhinanthus rumelicus, Digitalis lutea, Scutellaria alpina, Teucrium chamaedrys, T.montanum, Dianthus petraeus, D.gigantaeformis, Cerinthe minor, Polygala major, Asynema canescens, Onobrychis montana, Scorzonera purpurea, Rosa pendulina, Parnassia palustris, Geum coccineum, Geranium sylvaticum, Veratrum album, Gentiana lutea and the endemic butterwort Pinguicula balcanica. Birders enjoyed excellent views of Nutcracker and Red Crossbill. This is also another excellent site for butterflies and among the very many that were seen on the walk were Common Brassy, Ottoman Brassy and Large Ringlets, Eastern Large Heath, Large Wall Brown, Heath and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, False Eros Blue, Clouded Apollo and Large Grizzled Skipper. Several moth species were also in evidence including Humming-bird Hawk- moth, Common Footman, Lewes Wave and Catascia marginea. Other noteworthy insects were the bush cricket Pholidoptera rhodopensis, the grasshopper Podisma pedestris (with vestigial wings even when adult), as well as two non- British flies; the bee-fly Hemipenthes maura and the hoverfly Epistrophe leiophthalma. A splendid mushroom Agaricus augustus, known as The Prince, also attracted interest. With so many things to look at and photograph, the group had become a bit strung out, but when all reached Bandersita we were ready for the picnic lunch, supplemented by cold drinks and ice creams from the café.

We left here and 2.45pm 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 the walk to these at 3.15pm. We had scarcely moved when Black Redstart and Serin were spotted. Plants added to the list here included Downy-leaved Hawthorn, Ajuga laxmannii, Inula aschersoniana and Salvia glutinosa. Among the butterflies were Silver-studded Blue, Alcon Blue (with eggs also found by Mario), Amanda's Blue, Osiris Blue, Meleager's Blue, False Grayling and Berger's Clouded Yellow. The day-flying moths included Chalk Carpet, Common Forester, Nine-spotted and two non-British burnet moths Zygaena ephialtes (Black Burnet) and either Zygaena minos or Z.purpuralis, each of which lacks an authentic English name. Among other insects noted here were Stripe-winged Grasshopper, two Meloid beetle species Mylabris quadripunctata and M.variabilis, the curious little Lantern Fly Dictyophara (Epiptera) europaea (actually a plant-hopper) and the Soldier fly Oxycera meigenii. We have several of this genus in Britain, but not this species. It is however suggested that it could well turn up in Britain in the future.

We were back at the hotel at 5.25pm and after another excellent dinner followed by the lists, all were ready to retire.

6 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Day 6 Thursday 1st August

Bansko; Bezbog Lake via chairlift; meadows above Dobrinishte

Dry and mainly sunny, maximum temperature 28°C but cooler at Bezbog c. 24°C. There had again been several moths at light overnight, the new ones being Toadflax Pug, Small Ranunculus, Mullein Wave and Palpita vitrealis (the last being an uncommon migrant to the UK).

We left the hotel on time again at 9am and headed for the Gotse Delchev mountain hut for the start of the two- stage chairlift ascent to Bezbog Lake at 2,240 metres. We arrived at the start at 9.36am. Having distributed lunch provisions and purchased tickets, apart from two who were remaining below, we had reached the top by 10.36am. Although Bezbog Lake means God Forsaken Lake, all agreed that it was, in fact, a very beautiful place and that the chairlift ride itself had also been lovely. The altitude meant that there were plenty of plants in flower, among them Silene roemeri, Gentian pyrenaica, Geum montanum, G.coccineum, Bruckenthalia spiculifolia, Veronica bellidifolia, Subularia aquatica, Campanula cochlearifolia (Fairies Thimble), Alpine Bellflower, 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), Pedicularis orthantha, Pinguicula balcanica, Gentianella bulgarica and Dianthus microlepis. A fine colony of Heart-flowered Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza cordigera) was much admired and photographed.

Despite the altitude there were still good numbers of butterflies including Eastern Large Heath, Nichol's, Woodland and Bulgarian Ringlets and Scarce Copper, as well as a Wood Tiger Moth. Common Hawker Dragonfly and Scarce Emerald Damselfly were by the lake, whilst Mutilla europaea, the so-called Velvet Ant (though a completely different family) was the best of the other insects seen. Birds included Pallid Swift, Red Crossbill, and Ring Ouzel.

Members of the group gradually drifted back to the café for cold drinks etc. and at 3.50pm we all reassembled at the top of the chair lift ready for the descent. We were all back down at 4pm and on the windows of the station buildings at the bottom were Dotted Carpet and Black Arches moths and the Caddis-fly Odontocerum hellenicum. Jenny and Hugh had also an interesting time at the bottom and were certain they had found the Woodland Brown butterfly. This was a species they both knew from elsewhere, but unfortunately they had not taken a photograph. Mario was however, very doubtful as the species had not been seen in Bulgaria for very many years. Clearly without some photo-evidence the record cannot be proven, unless someone is fortunate enough to re- find it here in the future.

We drove a short distance to some meadows above Dobrinishte, which again had a rich flora including Creeping Jenny, Yellow Loosestrife, Ragged Robin, Purple Loosestrife, Haresfoot Clover, Grass of Parnassus etc. Butterflies were again plentiful, many of them species with which we had become familiar during the week, but among them Scarce, Purple-shot and Balkan Coppers, Brown Hairstreak and Weaver’s Fritillary, the last three of these new for the week, as also were the moths Brown-line Bright-eye and Bright Wave. Two attractive plant hoppers were the sexually dimorphic Cicadella viridis (the forewings of the female are bright turquoise green, but those of the male are blue-purple), and the yellow and black Evacanthus interruptus. Another new species for the week, present here in some numbers, was the Oak Spider (Aculepeira ceropegia). A more remarkable find was one that many would have probably ignored. Dancho handed me a horsefly which had bitten him and which he had

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

then caught between his fingers, partially damaging it in the process. I recognised it as a Haematopota species (i.e. related to the Cleg, a species familiar to many from the UK) but it looked interesting and so I photographed it. As it was clearly dying and also to avoid further problems, on this occasion I also retained the specimen. Back in the UK I sent images to Theo Zeegers, the leading European specialist on this family. He was immediately interested and I duly sent him the specimen. This turned out to be Haematopota latebricola, known previously in the world from just one individual, the type specimen collected in the Dardanelles.

We left here at 5.45pm and after acceding to the requests to make what was becoming a habitual stop for cold drinks and ice creams, we arrived back at the hotel at 6.30pm. The evening meal was accordingly pushed back to 7.30pm. Not surprisingly, the daily species listing that followed took a while to complete, but clearly all would much prefer that to having seen very little.

Day 7 Friday 2nd August

Bansko; limestone gulley at Dubarsko; lunch at trout restaurant near Bansko and nearby meadows

Fine and mostly sunny, becoming a bit cloudy later. Maximum temperature 28°C Moths at light overnight included Mottled Beauty, Tawny Wave, Cabbage Moth, Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella), Black-tipped Ermine (Yponomeuta plumbella) and more Palpita vitrealis, as well as another caddis-fly species Rhyacophila biegelmeiri.

Following our usual 8am breakfast, we left at 9.05am and drove to a limestone gulley at Dobarsko, a new site for this tour. As so often, en route we noted the various birds sighted; on this occasion Kestrel, Red backed Shrike, White Stork, Kestrel, Magpie, Jay, White Wagtail, Barn Swallow and House Sparrow. We reached the site at 9.45am and started our walk, quickly finding Woodland, Great Banded, Tree, Eastern Rock and False Graylings and Sooty Copper butterflies, as well as new plants for the week such as Canadian Fleabane, Canadian Fleabane, Water Chickweed, Gallant Soldier and Pine-leaved Pink (Dianthus pinifolius). Webs of Pine Processionary Moth were common. Linnet was added to the bird list, with good views also of an obliging Black Redstart and later sightings of Serin, Grey Wagtail and Short-toed Eagle. As we moved on and nearer to the river, further plants included Greater Celandine, Cut-leaved Self Heal and Carlina acanthifolia, while Purple-shot Copper, Eastern Wood White, Pearly Heath and Silver-spotted Skipper were among the butterflies added to the day list. Moths were represented by Six-belted Clearwing, Purple-barred Yellow, a nice Forester type moth that could not be reliably distinguished from images, but either Cistus Forester (Adscita geryon) or Scarce Forester (A.globularia), and a many-plumed moth type, possibly Alucita grammodactyla, but again it was not possible to confirm this from images. A fine specimen of a larva of the Southern Emperor Moth Saturnia pavoniella was however very distinctive. Other interesting insects here were the beautiful owl-fly species Libelloides macaronius, Epicauta rufidorsum (a black blister-beetle with a red head), a beautiful Tephritid fly Noeeta pupillata and the paper wasp species Polistes nimpha. Sheila had the misfortune to be stung by this, but has the consolation that it is apparently a scarce species!

We left here at 1.25pm and drove for another 30 minutes to a trout restaurant for a very enjoyable al fresco lunch. Although some people were fairly hungry by now, the starter proved to be a meal in itself. All except the vegetarians opted for the trout main course rather than the alternative, given on the menu as 'crap'! Even here

8 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

the group were looking for things and I was asked about the identity of two small planted trees with edible fruits which were Quince (Cydonia oblonga) originally from SW Asia but widely naturalised in southern Europe and Black Chokeberry (Aronia (=Photinia) melanocarpa) native to eastern North America. Also noted here were Green Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow and Turtle Dove; Southern Skimmer and Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonflies, and Water Figwort, whilst a large longhorn beetle Monochamus galloprovincialis was a particularly fine addition to the list.

When we eventually left here replete we travelled 15 minutes before a momentary stop at a potato field where Mario quickly found Colorado Beetle for the group to see. After another short hop of a similar distance we stopped again and walked. Here abundant Wild Parsnip flowers were attracting large numbers of small insects, while other plants that were proving similarly attractive, though to a lesser extent, included Common Yellow Toadflax, Berry Catchfly, Hemp Agrimony. Alder Buckthorn, and Cut-leaved and Common Teasels. A Quail was calling and Golden Oriole was also heard, while a juvenile Red-backed Shrike was certainly not going to move, nor was it in the least perturbed as it was photographed by several of the group. In addition to the many tiny insects that were not identifiable, a pristine Brown Hairstreak obliging posed for the photographers and an Oak Bush Cricket was also noted.

We left here at 5.50pm and dropped off some of the group to have a look around the old part of Bansko, while the remainder returned to the hotel. Dinner was again pushed back to 7.30pm to give people more time, followed by a last run through of the species seen during the day and individual personal highlights of the week.

Day 8 Saturday 3rd August

Bansko; Rila Monastery and riverside; return to Sofia; flight to Heathrow A few moths had again been attracted overnight, the new ones being Double Striped Pug and Knotgrass.

Breakfast was taken early at 6.45am and having loaded luggage, paid bills and thanked the excellent hotel staff, we left at 7.30am, 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 at 9am and the group had just half an hour to explore the monastery. A small pale form of Mottled Beauty moth was seen on a wall and Pallid Swifts were overhead. We then drove a short distance back towards Rila town to a riverside stop. This is a known site for Poplar Admiral butterfly, but this year it appeared we had finally run out of luck! A number of other butterflies were seen, the best of them Large Tortoiseshell (new for the week), Arran Brown, and Purple-shot Copper.

We left here at 10.10am and re-commenced our journey towards Sofia and the airport. The most noteworthy bird seen on the journey was a Lesser Spotted Eagle. We made a twenty minute comfort stop at a service station at 11.45am, when everyone was able to purchase what they required for lunch. Here, we also gave our thanks to Mario, Dancho and our excellent driver George. The rest of our journey was uneventful and we reached the airport at 12.43pm, in good time for our flight back to Heathrow. All were safely checked in and our outward flight landed a few minutes ahead of schedule. All the baggage made it back to Heathrow, as well as the group, and after farewells all round, we continued with our individual journeys home.

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Acknowledgements:

My thanks to all members of the group for their company, good humour and patience, as well as for many contributions to the lists. It was an excellent group who showed a keen interest in everything. My thanks also to my excellent Bulgarian co-leaders Mario and Dancho, for their local guidance, as well as to Mario for identifying the butterflies and Dancho the Odonata and the birds. Thanks also to our careful driver George and the staff in the two hotels who all did their best for us.

I must also thank my good friend Dr. Dimitar Dimotrov (also known as Mitko) for help with some plant queries and Dr. Dragan Chobonov (Orthoptera), both from the Natural History Museum in Sofia where they are colleagues of Mario. I am also very grateful to the following, some of them specialist members of the tour group, as well as contacts from various countries, for assistance in identification or in checking my own identifications for various groups: Vladimir Vladimirov (some plants), Elias de Bree, Sergiy Flatov, Lukasz Mielczarek, Pjotr Oosterbroek, Chris Raper, Ruud van der Weele and Theo Zeegers, (various Diptera), Libor Dvorak and Christian Schmid-Egger, (some Hymenoptera), Stoyan Beshkov, Brian Hancock and Colin Plant (some moths), Levente Abraham (Neuroptera), Sheila Brooke, John Badmin, Hugh Griffiths and Werner Holzinger (some Hemiptera), Martin Rejzek (Long-horn beetles), Ian Wallace (Caddis), Ian Dawson (some spiders) and Peter Topley (Molluscs).

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit!

View of Melnik rocks and part of village

10 © Naturetrek March 17

Tour Report Bulgaria in Summer

Species Lists

Birds (=recorded but not counted; h = heard only)

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 1 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix h 2 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  3 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  4 White Stork Ciconia ciconia         5 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus   6 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  7 Little Egret Egretta garzetta  8 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo    9 European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus   10 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 2   11 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus   12 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo    h   13 Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  14 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina  15 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni  16 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus      17 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  18 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius   19 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia  20 Common Pigeon/Rock Dove Columba livia (feral)         21 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus     22 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur    23 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto        24 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus   25 Little Owl Athene noctua h 26 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba    27 Common Swift Apus apus   28 Pallid Swift Apus pallidus   

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 29 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis h   30 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster   31 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops  32 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor  h h 33 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius  34 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major    h 35 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis  h   36 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio       37 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator   38 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus   h 39 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius   h   40 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica     41 Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes h   42 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula   43 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix  44 Northern Raven Corvus corax  h  45 Sombre Tit Poecile lugubris     46 Willow Tit Poecile montanus    47 Coal Tit Periparus ater     48 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus  49 Great Tit Parus major        50 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus   51 Crested Lark Galerida cristata     52 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis   53 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica         54 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris      55 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum        56 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica       57 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita  h  58 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix   59 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus  

2 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 60 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla      61 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin  62 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca  63 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla h h 64 Goldcrest Regulus regulus h h h 65 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes  66 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea    67 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla    68 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris   69 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus  70 Common Blackbird Turdus merula       71 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos  72 European Robin Erithacus rubecula     73 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos     74 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros       75 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra  76 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe  77 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata      78 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus  79 House Sparrow Passer domesticus         80 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis     81 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus  82 Rock Sparrow Petronius petronia  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 

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 91 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra    92 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula    93 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes  94 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra     95 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella   96 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia    97 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus  

Mammals

1 Bat sp. [not identified]  2 Eastern Hedgehog Erinaceus concolor (=roumanicus)  3 Lesser White-toothed Shrew Crocidura suaveolens h 4 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris   5 European Water Vole Arvicola amphibius  6 European Snow Vole Chionomys nivalis  7 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes †

Reptiles/Amphibians

1 Spur-thighed Tortoise Testudo graeca sp, 2 European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis  3 Kotschy's Gecko Cyrtopodion kotschyi bibroni   4 Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis    5 Balkan Green Lizard Lacerta trilineata  6 Viviparous Lizard Zootoca (=Lacerta) vivipara   7 Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis     8 Balkan Wall Lizard Podarcis taurica  9 Slow Worm Anguis fragilis † 10 Grass Snake Natrix natrix    11 Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata   12 Common Toad Bufo bufo 

4 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 13 Common Frog Rana temporaria    14 Marsh Frog Pelohylax (Rana) ridibundus      

Fish

1 Western Mosquito-fish Gambusia affinis   2 Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosum  3 Common Minnow Phoxinus phoxinus  4 Common Carp Cyrinus carpio 

Butterflies

1 Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malve    2 Large Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus alveus  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 Large Skipper Ochlodes venatus    10 Mediterranean Skipper Gegenes nostrodamus  11 Pigmy Skipper Gegenes pumilio  12 Clouded Apollo Parnassius mnemosyne  13 Swallowtail Papilio machaon   14 Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius       15 Small White Pieris rapae         16 Southern Small white Pieris mannii  17 Green-veined White Pieris napi (inc balcanica)  18 Krueper’s Small White Pieris krueperi  19 Eastern Bath White Pontia edusa    20 Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines 

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 21 Large White Pieris brassicae      22 Clouded Yellow Colias crocea        23 Berger's Clouded Yellow Colias alfacariensis  24 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni  25 Wood White Leptidea sinapis      26 Eastern Wood White Leptidea duponcheli   27 Brown Hairstreak Thecla betulae   28 Sloe Hairstreak Satyrium acaciae  29 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas    30 Scarce Copper Lycaena virgaureae     31 Sooty Copper Lycaena tityrus   32 Purple-shot Copper Lycaena alciphron       33 Balkan Copper Lycaena candens  34 Lesser Fiery Copper Lycaena thersamon   35 Little Tiger Blue Tarucus balkanicus   36 Lang's Short-tailed Blue Leptotes pirithous   37 Short-tailed Blue Cupido argiades  38 Little Blue Cupido minimus  39 Osiris Blue Cupido osiris  40 Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus        41 Chequered Blue Scolitantides orion  42 Mountain Alcon Blue Maculinea rebeli  43 Large Blue Maculinea arion  44 Silver-studded Blue Plebeius argus        45 Idas Blue Plebeius idas  46 Anomalous Blue Plebeius (=Agrodiaetus) admetus  47 Brown Argus Aricia agestis        48 Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus  49 Mazarine Blue Cyaniris semiargus    50 Ripart's Anomalous Blue Agrodiaetus ripartii   51 Turquoise Blue Plebicula dorylas 

6 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 52 Amanda’s Blue Plebicula amanda  53 Meleager’s Blue Meleageria daphnis   54 Chalk-hill Blue Lysandra coridon  55 Macedonian Chalkhill Blue Lysandra philippi  56 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus         57 False Eros Blue Polyommatus eroides    58 Higgins' Anomalous Blue Polyommatus nephohiptamenos  59 Purple Emperor Apatura iris    60 Freyer's Purple Emperor Aptura metis  61 Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta   62 White Admiral Limenitis camila    63 Common Glider Neptis sappho  64 Large Tortoiseshell Nymphalis polychloros  65 Peacock Butterfly Inachis io    66 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta        67 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui        68 Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae  69 Comma Butterfly Polygonia c-album       70 Map Butterfly Araschnia levana    71 Cardinal Pandoriana pandora     72 Silver-washed Fritillary Argynis paphia      73 Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja  74 High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe   75 Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia    76 Marbled Fritillary Brenthis daphne   77 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene   78 Weaver’s Fritillary Clossiana dia  79 Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe        80 Spotted Fritillary Melitaea didyma       81 Lesser Spotted Fritillary Melitaea trivia     82 Heath Fritillary Mellicta athalia  

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 83 Marbled White Melanargia galathea      84 Hermit Chazara briseis  85 Woodland Grayling Hipparchia fagi  86 Eastern Rock Grayling Hipparchia syriaca  87 Tree Grayling Hipparchia statilinus   88 Great Banded Grayling Hipparchia (=Kanetisa) circe     89 False Grayling Arethusana arethusa    90 Scotch Argus Erebia aethiops  91 Arran Brown Erebia ligea     92 Large Ringlet Erebia euryale   93 Woodland Ringlet Erebia medusa    94 Bulgarian Ringlet Erebia orientalis  95 Nicholl's Ringlet Erebia rhodopensis  96 Ottoman Brassy Ringlet Erebia ottomana   97 Common Brassy Ringlet Erebia cassioides  98 Bright-eyed Ringlet Erebia oeme  99 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina        100 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus    101 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus    102 Pearly Heath Coenonympha arcania      103 Eastern Large Heath Coenonympha rhodopensis   104 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus        105 Lattice Brown Pararge (=Kirinia) roxelana    106 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria  107 Woodland Brown Lopinga achine ? 108 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera  109 Large Wall Brown Lasiommata maera  110 Nettle Tree butterfly Libythea celtis  

Moths

1 Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis 

8 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 2 Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum        3 Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli  4 Pine Processionary Moth web Thaumetopoea pityocampa   5 Nine-spotted Syntomis phegea   6 Black Burnet Zygaena ephialtes   7 6-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae  8 Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Zygaena lonicerae   9 Zygaena minos / purpuralis  10 Common Forester Adscita statices  11 A Forester Moth sp Adscita sp. indet.  12 Common Footman Eilerna lurideola   13 Dingy Footman Eilema griseola  14 Four Spotted Footman Lithosia quadra  15 Wood Tiger Parasemia plantaginis  16 Rosy Footman Miltochrista miniata  17 Black Arches Limantria monacha  18 Saturnia pavoniella L 19 Pygmy Moth Thyris fenestrata   20 Dotted Carpet Alcis jubata  21 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata   22 Orange Moth Angerona prunaria  23 Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata  24 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata  25 Small Emerald Hemistola chrysoprasaria  26 Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria  27 Riband Wave Idaea aversata   28 Bright Wave Idaea ochrata  29 Least Carpet Idaea rusticata   30 Scorched Carpet Ligdia adustata  31 Purple-barred Yellow Lythria purpuraria   32 Drab Looper Minoa murinata 

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 33 Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata  34 Small Blood-vein Scopula imitaria  35 Lewes Wave Scopula immorata  36 Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata   37 Tawny Wave Scopula rubiginata  38 Chalk Carpet Scotopteryx bipunctaria cretata  39 July Belle Scotopteryx luridata  40 Spotted Sulphur Acontia trabealis  41 Knotgrass Acronicta rumicis  42 Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis  43 Silver Y Autographa gamma     44 Oak Underwing Catocala nynphagoga  45 Dark-crimson Underwing Catocala sponsa  46 Purple Marbled Moth Eublemma ostrina  47 Burnet Companion Moth Euclidia glyphica  48 Small Ranunculus Hecatera dysodea  49 Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera  50 Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae  51 Brown-line Bright-eye Mythimna conigera  52 Small Yellow Underwing Panemeria tenebrata  53 Schinia cognata   54 Sword Grass Xylena exsoleta  L 55 a Plume Moth Agdistis sp ?  56 a many-plumed moth sp Alucita sp ? grammodactyla  57 Apopestes spectrum  58 Horse-Chestnut Leaf miner Cameraria ohridella L 59 Catoptria pinella  60 Catascia marginea  61 Codling Moth Cydia pomonella  62 Loxostege sticticalis  63 Metaxmeste sp ? phrygialis 

10 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 64 Thistle Ermine Myelois circumvoluta  65 Palpita vitrealis    66 Pyrausta aerealis   67 Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata  68 a Plume moth sp. cf Stenoptilia pterodactyla  69 Synaphe punctalis    70 Typhonia ciliaris  71 Rusty Dot Pearl Udea ferrugalis    72 Spindle Ermine Moth Yponomeuta cagnagella  73 Yponomeuta plumbella 

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 Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella   6 Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum  7 Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum    8 Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula  9 White-legged Damselfly Platycnemis pennipes     10 Scarce Emeralald Damselfly Lestes dryas  11 Migrant Spreadwing Lestes barbarus  12 Common Winter Damselfly Sympecma fusca  13 Norfolk Hawker Aeshna isoceles  14 Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea     15 Southern Migrant Hawker Aeshna affinis  16 Common Hawker Aeshna juncea  17 Eastern Spectre Dragonfly Caliaeshna microstigma   18 Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator   19 Lesser Emperor Dragonfly Anax parthenope  

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 20 Common Clubtail Gomphus vulgatissimus  21 Small Pincertail Onychogomphus forcipatus    22 Sombre Goldenring Cordulegaster bidentata  23 Balkan Goldenring Cordulegaster heros    24 Black Pennant Selysiothemis nigra  25 White-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum albistylum   26 Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum  27 Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens    28 Southern Skimmer Orthetrum brunneum    29 Banded Darter Sympetrum pedemontanum    30 Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum   31 Yellow-winged Darter Sympetrum flaveolum  32 Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii     33 Spotted Darter Sympetrum depressiusculum   34 Scarlet Darter Crocothemis erythraea    35 Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa  

Neuroptera (Lacewings, Ant-lions etc)

1 a green lacewing sp. Chrysoperla carnea agg.  2 Large Mottle-winged Ant-lion Palpares libelluloides  3 an Ant-lion sp. Creolon plumbeus  4 Macaronius Owlfly Libelloides macaronius  5 an Ant-lion sp. Myrmecaelurus trigrammus  

Mecoptera (Scorpion Flies etc)

1 a Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp. 

Dermaptera (Earwigs)

1 Common Earwig Forficula auricularia  

12 © Naturetrek March 17

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3

Orthoptera (Grasshoppers & Crickets)

1 Black-winged Saw Bush-cricket Ancistrura nigrovittata  2 Decticus albifrons  3 Oak Bush Cricket Meconema thalassinum  4 Roesel's Bush Cricket Metrioptera (=Roeseliana) roeseli      5 a Bush-cricket sp Oecanthus pellucens    6 Dark Bush-cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera   7 a Bush-cricket sp Pholidoptera rhodopensis  8 a Bush-cricket sp Poecilimon thoracicus     9 Tettigonia caudata  10 a Bush-cricket sp Tylopsis lilifolia   11 Saga natoliae  12 Field Cricket Gryllus campestris  13 Slant-headed Grasshopper Acrida mediterranea   14 Egyptian Grasshopper Anacridium aegyptium  15 a grasshopper sp. Calliptamus italicus  16 Blue-winged Grasshopper Oedipoda caerulescens    17 Red-winged Grasshopper Oedipoda miniata    18 Podisma pedestris  19 Large Mountain Grasshopper Stauroderus scalaris  20 Stripe-winged Grasshopper Stenobothrus lineatus 

Dictyoptera (Mantids & Cockroaches)

1 Cone-head Mantis Empusa fasciata  2 Mediterranean Mantis Iris oratoria  3 Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa   4 Forest Cockroach Ectobius sylvestris  

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3

Hemiptera (Bugs)

1 Water Strider Aquarius paludum  2 a Pond Skater Gerris sp.   3 Bishop's Mitre Aelia acuminata   4 Wheat Stink Bug Aelia rostrata  5 a Shiledbug sp. Apodiphus amygdali   6 [fam: Alydidae] Camptopus lateralis  7 a Shield Bug sp Carpocoris mediterraneus   8 Centocoris spiniger  9 a Shield Bug sp Codophila varia  10 Denticulate Leatherbug Coriomeris denticulatus  11 Common Squash-bug / Dock Bug Coreus marginatus  12 Corizus hyoscyami  13 Plane Lacebug Corythucha ciliata   14 Dicranocephalus albipes  15 Dicyphus epilobii  16 Hairy Shieldbug / Sloe Bug Dolycoris baccarum        17 AC Milan Bug Graphosoma lineatum (= italicum)        18 a Shieldbug sp Graphosoma semipunctata   19 Megaloceroea recticornis  20 a Shield Bug sp Mustha spinosula  21 Notostira elongata  22 Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina   23 Phytocoris varipes  24 an Assassin Bug Rhinocoris iracundus   25 a red and black bug sp. [fam: Lygaeidae] Spilostethus saxatilis (=Lygaeus)  26 Stenotus binotatus  27 Tholagmus flavolineatus  28 Aphrophora alni   29 Common Spittlebug Philaenus spumarius 

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 30 a Cicada Cicada orni  31 a 'froghopper' sp. Cicadella viridis    32 Evacanthus interruptus   33 Opsius stactogallus  34 [fam: Flatidae] Phantia subquadrata  35 Buffalo Treehopper Stictocephala bisonia  36 Dictyophara (Epiptera) europaea 

Trichoptera (Caddis-flies)

1 a caddis sp Odontocerum hellenicum  2 a caddis sp Rhyacophila biegelmeiri 

Diptera (Two-winged Flies)

1 a Horsefly sp. [fam: Tabanidae] Atylotus fulvus  2 a Horsefly sp. [fam: Tabanidae] Chrysops caecutiens  3 a Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Epistrophe leiophthalma  4 a Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Chrysotoxum cf. elegans  5 Drone-fly [fam: Syrphidae] Eristales tenax  6 a Cleg sp. [fam: Tabanidae] [2nd world colln] Haematopota latebricola  7 as gall on Fagus sylvatica Hartigiola annulipes  8 a Bee-fly sp. [fam: Bombylidae] Hemipenthes maura  9 as gall on Fagus sylvatica Mikiola fagi  10 a cranefly species [fam: Tipulidae] Nephrotoma crocata  11 a Picture-wing Fly [fam: Tephritidae] Noeeta pupillata  12 a Soldierfly sp [fam: Stratiomyidae] Oxycera meigenii  13 [fam: Tachinidae] Phasia hemiptera  14 a Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Sphaerophoria sp.    15 a Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Syrphus ribesii  16 a Bee-fly sp. [fam: Bombylidae] Systoechus ctenopteris ? 17 Band-eyed Brown Horsefly Tabanus bromius  

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 18 Dark Giant Horsefly [fam: Tabanidae] Tabanus sudeticus  19 [fam: Tachinidae] Tachina fera    20 [fam: Tachinidae] Tachina praeceps  21 a Bee-fly sp. [fam: Bombylidae] Villa sp.   22 a Hoverfly [fam: Syrphidae] Volucella pellucens   23 a picture-winged fly [fam: Tephritidae] Xiphosia miliaria 

Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps etc)

1 Honey Bee Apis mellifera      2 Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum   3 Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius     4 White-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lucorum  5 Commmon Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum   6 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris   7 a Spider-hunting Wasp sp. [fam: Pompilidae] Cryptocheilus alternatus  8 as Robin's Pincushion Gall Diplolepis rosae        9 as larval gall on Salix elaeagnos Eupontania viminalis  10 Wood Ant Formica rufa sp 11 Large Velvet-ant [fam: Mutillidae] Mutilla europaea  12 a Paper Wasp sp. [fam: Vespidae] Plistes biglumis  13 a Paper Wasp sp. [fam: Vespidae] Polistes dominula   14 a Paper Wasp sp. [fam: Vespidae] Polistes nimpha  15 European Hornet Vespa crabro  16 Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris   17 Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea     

Coleoptera (Beetles)

1 Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus  2 Two-spot Ladybird Adalia bipunctata   3 7-Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata    

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis    5 Hippodamia notata  6 Adonis Ladybird Hippodamia variegata  7 Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata        8 Cetonia cuprea  9 Bee Chafer Trichius fasciatus  10 Trichodes apiarius   11 Trichodes crabroniformis  12 Common Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva     13 a black blister beetle with red head Epicauta rufidorsum  14 a blister beetle sp. [fam: Meloidae] Mylabris quadripunctata  15 a blister beetle sp. [fam: Meloidae] Mylabris variabilis   16 [fam: Buprestidae] Julodis ehrenbergi  17 a Tortoise Beetle Cassida rubiginosa  18 Mint Leaf Beetle [ fam: Chrysomelidae] Chrysolina menthastri    19 Clytra atraphaxidis  20 Colorado Beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata  21 Musk Beetle Aromia moschata  22 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Chlorophorus hungaricus  23 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Chlorophorus varius  24 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Monochamus galloprovincialis  25 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Morimus funereus † 26 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Purpuricenus budensis  27 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Rutpela (=Strangalia) maculata     28 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Stenurella semipunctata    29 a Longhorn Beetle sp [Cerambycidae] Stictoleptura rubra  

Arachnida (Spiders etc)

1 Oak Spider Aculepeira ceropegia  2 a Funnel-web Spider Agalena labyrinthica  3 Lobed Argiope Spider Argiope lobata  

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

July/August Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi       5 a crab spider Misumenia vatia   6 Thomisus onustus  7 Xysticus ninnii  8 as galls with mites on Walnut leaves Aceria erinea  9 as gall on Alnus glutinosa Eriophyes laevis  

Mollusca (Snails, slugs etc.)

1 Red Slug Arion rufus  2 Cepaea vindabonensis  3 a Snail sp. Helix lucorum  4 Roman Snail Helix pomatius  5 Mediterranean Coastal Snail Theba pisana  6 Zebrina detrita 

Sympetrum depressiusculum - Spotted Darter Saga natoliae Thecla betulae Brown Hairstreak

Tour Report Bulgaria in Summer

Plants Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

PTERIDOPHYTES Equisetum arvense Common Horsetail 28, Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail 30, Equisetum telmateia Great Horsetail 28, 30, Asplenium rutamuraria Wall-rue 31, Asplenium septentrionale Forked Spleenwort 31, Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort 31, Athyrium filix-foemina Lady Fern 31, Cystopteris fragilis Brittle Bladder Fern 31, 01, Dryopteris filix-mas Male Fern 31, Gymnocarpium dryopteris Oak Fern 01, Polystichum lonchitis Holly Fern 31, 01, Pteridium aquilinum Bracken 30, GYMNOSPERMS Conifers and Allies Pinaceae Pine family Abies borisii-regis 31, Picea abies Norway Spruce 30, Pinus leucodermis (inc P.heldreichii) Bosnian Pine 31, Pinus mugo Dwarf Mountain-pine 31, 01, Pinus nigra Black Pine 30, Pinus sylvestris Scot's Pine 30, Cupressaceae Cypress family Juniperus communis Juniper 30, 02, Juniperus sibirica 31, Juniperus excelsa Greek Juniper 31,

ANGIOSPERMS Flowering Plants Aceraceae Maple family Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore 27, 03, Anacardiaceae Cotinus coggygria Smoke Tree 03, Rhus typhina Stag's-horn Sumach 27, 28, Apiaceae Carrot family Angelica sylvestris Angelica 02, Bupleurum sibthorpianum (=falcatum) Sickle-leaf Hare's-ear 27, 28, 31, Daucus carota Wild Carrot 27, 28, Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo 28, 29, 31, 02, Foeniculum vulgare Fennel 29, Heracleum sibiricum Siberian Hogweed 31, 01, Ligusticum mutellina Alpine Lovage 01, Orlaya grandiflora 27, Pastinaca sativa Wild Parsnip 27, 02, Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet Saxifrage 31, Torilis japonica Upright Hedge Parsley 27, Araliaceae Hedera helix Ivy 28, Asclepiadaceae Cynanchum acutum Stranglewort 28, Periploca graeca Silk Vine 28, Asteraceae Daisy family Achillea clusiana 01,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

Achillea millefolium Yarrow 27, Achillea clypeolata 31, Achillea coarctata 28, Arctium minus Lesser Burdock 27, 31, 02, Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort 27, Aster alpinus Alpine Aster 31, Bellis perennis Daisy 31, Carduus kerneri 31, Carlina acinthifolia 02, Centaurea affinis/ biebersteinii 31, Centaurea diffusa 27, 28, Centaurea nervosa 01, Centaurea salonitana var. macrantha 28, Centaurea solstitialis St Barnaby's Thistle 27, 28, Centaurea stoebe 02, Chondrilla juncea Skeletonweed 28, 30, Cichorium intybus Chicory 27, 28, Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle 02, Cirsium candelabrum Candelabra Thistle 30, Cirsium ligulare 30, Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle 02, Conyza canadensis Canadian Fleabane 30, 02, Doronicum austriacum Austrian Leopard's-bane 01, Doronicum columnae Heart-leaved Leopardsbane 01, Echinops bannaticus Blue Globe-thistle 29, Echinops sphaerocephalus Pale Globe-thistle 27, 28, 29, Erigeron acer Blue Fleabane 30, 31, Erigeron annuus Annual Fleabane 30, Erigeron atticus Greek Fleabane 31, Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony 02, Galinosoga parviflora Gallant Soldier 02, Inula aschersoniana 31, Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce 27, 31, Lapsana communis Nipplewort 30, Matricaria discoidea Pineapple Mayweed 01, Mycelis muralis Wall Lettuce 27, Onopordum illyricum Illyrian Scotch Thistle 28, Pilosella officinarum (Hieracium pilosella) Mouse-ear Hawkweed 30, 31, Pulicaria dysenterica Common Fleabane 28, Scolymus hispanicus Spanish Oyster Thistle 29, Scorzonera purpurea (inc ssp. rosea) 31, Senecio glaberrimus 01, Senecio hercynicus 31, Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod 31, Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sowthistle 28, Tanacetum vulgare Tansy 28, 03, Taraxacum officinale Dandelion 01, Telekia speciosa Heart-leaved Ox-eye 31, 01, Tragopogon crocifolius 31, Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot 30, 31, Xeranthemum annuum Pink Everlasting 28, Balsaminaceae Balsam family Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam 27,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

Betulaceae Birch family Alnus glutinosa Alder 27, 28, 01, Betula pendula Silver Birch 27, Boraginaceae Borage family Anchusa officinalis Common Bugloss 30, Buglossoides (Lithospermum) arvensis Field Gromwell 30, Buglossoides purpureocaerulea Blue Gromwell 29, Cerinthe minor Lesser Honeywort 31, Cynoglossum hungaricum 31, Echium vulgare Viper's Bugloss 28, 30, Echium italicum Italian Viper's Bugloss 28, Heliotropium europaeum European Heliotrope 28, Myosotis alpestris Alpine Wood forget-me-not 01, Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not 01, Myosotis scorpioides Water Forget-me-not 01, Symphytum officinale Common Comfrey 02, Brassicaceae Barbarea bracteosa 01. Barbarea stricta Small-flowered Wintercress 30, 01, Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherds Purse 28, Cardamine rivularis 01, Erysimum odoratum 30, 31, Rorippa lippizensis 01, Subularia aquatica Awlwort 01, Thlaspi bellidifolium 01, Buddleiaceae Buddleia davidii Buddleia 28, 30, Campanulaceae Bellflower family Asyneuma canescens 31, Campanula alpina Alpine Bellflower 01, Campanula cochlearifolia Fairies Thimble 01, Campanula lingulata 31, Campanula patula (inc C.abietina) Spreading Bellflower 30, 01, Campanula rapunculus Rampion Bellflower 29, Campanula trachelium Nettle-leaved Bellflower 27, 30, Jasione bulgarica Bulgarian Sheep's-bit 28, 01, Legousia speculum-veneris Large Venus Looking Glass 29, Cannabiaceae Hemp family Celtis australis Nettle Tree 28,29, Humulus lupulus Hop 29, 02, Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle family Sambucus ebulus Dwarf Elder / Danewort 27, 28, Sambucus nigra Elder 27, 28, Caryophyllaceae Pink family Arenaria biflora Two-flowered Sandwort 01, Cerastium alpinum Alpine Stitchwort 01, Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Chickweed 28, Cucubalus baccifer Berry Catchfly 30, 02, Dianthus deltoides Maiden Pink 30, 02, Dianthus gracilis 30, Dianthus microlepis 01, Dianthus petraeus 31, Dianthus pinifolius Pine-leaved Pink 02,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

Dianthus gigantaeformis (=pontederae) Tall Pink 31, 01, Gypsophila repens Alpine Gypsophila 28, Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin 30, Lychnis viscaria Sticky Catchfly 01, Myosoton aquaticum Water Chickweed 02, Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort 30, 01, Saponaria glutinosa 30, Saponaria officinalis Soapwort 27, 28, Scleranthus perennis Perennial Knawel 01, Silene nutans Nottingham Catchfly 29, Silene roemeri 01, Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion 31, Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort 31, Stellaria media Common Chickweed 28, Celastraceae Euonymus latifolius Large-leaved Spindle 27, Ceratophyllaceae Ceratophylum demersum Rigid Hornwort 30, Chenopodiaceae Goosefoot family Chenopodium album Fat Hen 27, 28, Chenopodium bonus-henricus Good King Henry 28, 01, Chenopodium botrys 28, Cistaceae Rockrose family Helianthimum nummularium Common Rockrose 31, Convolvulaceae Bindweed family Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed 30, Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed 27, 28, Cuscuta campestris a Dodder 28, Cuscuta europaea Greater Dodder (on Urtica dioica) 30, Cornaceae Cornus sanguineus Dogwood 27, 31, Corylaceae Corylus avellana Hazel 27, Crassulaceae Stonecrop family Jovibarba sp. a Houseleek 31, 01, Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop 31, Sedum album White Stonecrop 27, 31, Sedum alpestre Alpine Stonecrop 31, Sedum ochroleucum Creamish Stonecrop 31, Dipsacaceae Teasel family Dipsacus fullonum Teasel 02, Dipsacus laciniatus Cut-leaved Teasel 27, 28 Scabiosa argentea 31, Scabiosa ochroleuca Yellow Scabious 27, 31, Ericaceae Heather family Bruckenthalia spiculifolia 01, Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry 30, Euphorbiaceae Spurge family Andrachne telephioides Andrachne 28, Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood Spurge 31, Euphorbia cyparissias Cypress Spurge 29, 30, Euphorbia myrsinites Glaucous Spurge 29, 02, Ricinus communis Castor Oil 28,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

Fabaceae Pea family Amorpha fruticosa Bastard Indigo Bush 29, Chamaecytisus absinthioides 01, Coronilla varia Crown Vetch 27, 31 Dorycnium pentaphyllum Canary Clover 31, Galega officinalis Goat's Rue 29, Genista tinctoria (inc. campestris) Dyer’s Greenweed 01, Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil 29, 30, Lotus pedunculatus (=uliginosus) Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil 30, Medicago lupulina Black Medick 30. 31, Medicago sativa Lucerne 27, 29, 31, Melilotus albus White Melilot 27. 28, 31 Onobrychis montana Mountain Sainfoin 31, Ononis spinosa Spiny Restharrow 30, 31, Robinia pseudoacacia False Acacia 27, 28, Trifolium arvense Haresfoot Clover 27, 28, 01, Trifolium incarnatum Crimson Clover 29, Trifolium medium Zig-zag Clover 30, Trifolium pratense Red Clover 30, Trifolium repens White Clover 27, 30, Trifolium resupinatum Reversed Clover 29, Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch 31, 02, Vicia varia 27, 29, Fagaceae Fagus sylvatica Beech 27, 01, Gentianaceae Gentian family Centaurium pulchellum Lesser Centaury 29, Gentiana cruciata Cross Gentian 30, Gentiana lutea Great Yellow Gentian 31, Gentiana pyrenaica Pyrenean Gentian 01, Gentianella bulgarica [end.] 01, Geraniaceae Geranium family Erodium cicutarium Common Storksbill 29, Geranium macrorrhizum Rock Cranesbill 28, 30, Geranium pyrenaicum Hedgerow Cransebill 27, 31 Geranium sylvaticum Wood Cranesbill 31, 01, Grossulariaceae Currant family Ribes petraeum Rock Red Currant 31, Hippocastanaceae Aesculus hippocastanum Horse Chestnut 27, 28 Hypericaceae St John's-wort family Hypericum tetrapterum Square-stalked St John's-wort 30, 31, Juglandaceae Walnut family Juglans regia Walnut 27, 28, 02. Lamiaceae Mint family Acinos alpinus Alpine Calamint 31, 01, Acinos arvensis Basil Thyme 30, Ajuga reptans Common Bugle 31, Ajuga laxmannii 31, Ballota nigra Black Horehound 27, 28 Clinopodium vulgare Wild Basil 31, Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hemp Nettle 30, 31, Lamium garganicum Large Red Dead-nettle 31,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle 28, Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort 29, 30, 02, Marrubium peregrinum 27, 29, Mentha aquatica Water Mint 27, 28, 30, Mentha longifolia Horsemint 28, Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal 30, Mentha spicata Spear Mint 28, Nepeta pannonica 30, 31, Origanum vulgare Marjoram 27, Prunella laciniata Cut-leaved Self-heal 02, Prunella vulgaris Self-heal 28. Salvia glutinosa Sticky Sage 31, Salvia pratensis Meadow Clary 27, Salvia verticillata Whorled Clary 27, Scutellaria alpina Alpine Skullcap 31, Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap 02, Stachys alpina Alpine Woundwort 30, Stachys germanica Downy Woundwort 29, Stachys palustris Marsh Woundwort 29, 30, Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort 27, Teucrium chamaedrys Wall Germander 30, 31, 02, Teucrium montanum Mountain Germander 28, 31, Thymus pulegioides Large Wild Thyme 30, Lentibulariaceae Butterwort family Pinguicula bulcanica Balkan Butterwort 31, 01, Utricularia australis Southern Bladderwort 30, Lythraceae Loosestrife family Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife 27, 28, 30, 01, Malvaceae Mallow family Althaea hirsuta Rough Mallow 30, Lavatera thuringiaca 28, Malva sylvestris Common Mallow 27, 28, Moraceae Mulberry family Ficus carica Fig 27, 28, Morus alba White Mulberry 27, Oleaceae Olive family Fraxinus excelsior Ash 30, Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet 28, 02, Onagraceae Willowherb family Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb 30, 31, Chamaerion dodonaei 27, 31 Epilobium alpestre Alpine Willowherb 01, Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb 27, 28, 02, Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb 31, Epilobium nutans Nodding Willowherb 01, Oxalidaceae Oxalis corniculata Procumbent Yellow Sorrel 30, Papaveraceae Poppy family Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine 27, 02, Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy 02, Parnassiaceae Parnassia palustris Grass of Parnassus 30, 31, 01,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

Plantaginaceae Plantago arenaria (=indica) Branched Plantain 28, Plantago gentianoides 01, 02, Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain 27, Plantago major Greater Plantain 27, 28, Plantago media Hoary Plantain 30, 01, Platanaceae Plane family Platanus orientalis Oriental Plane 28, Polygalaceae Milkwort family Polygala major Large Milkwort 31, Polygonaceae Dock family Persicaria hydropiper Water Pepper 30, 02, Polygonum aviculare Knotgrass 02, Persicaria maculosa Redshank 02, Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel 01, Rumex acetosella Sheep Sorrel 01, Rumex alpinus Monk's Rhubarb 31, 01, Rumex scutatus Rubble Dock 01, Portulacaceae Portulaca oleracea Yellow Purslane 28, Primulaceae Primrose family Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel 28, Lysimachia nummularia Creeping Jenny 30, 01, Lysimachia vulgaris Yellow Loosestrife 01, 02, Ranunculaceae Buttercup family Clematis vitalba Traveller's Joy 27, 28, Consolida regalis Forking Larkspur 28, 29, Nigella arvensis Love-in-a-mist 29, Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup 31, 02, Thalictrum flavum Common Meadow Rue 31, Rhamnaceae Buckthorn family Frangula alnus Alder Buckthorn 02, Paliurus spina-christi Christ's Thorn 28, 29, Rosaceae Rose family Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony 27, Alchemilla mollis agg. Lady's Mantle 30, 01, [Aronia melanocarpa (=Photinia)] 02, Crataegus laciniata (=orientalis) Eastern Thorn/ Downy-leaved Hawthorn 31, Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn 31, 02, [Cydonia oblonga] 02, Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet 30, Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry 30, Geum coccineum Red Avens 31, 01, Geum montanum Alpine Avens 01, Geum rivale Water Avens 01, Geum urbanum Wood Avens 27, Potentilla crantzii Alpine Cinquefoil 01, Potentilla erecta Tormentil 30, Potentilla regis-borisii 27, Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil 30, Prunus domestica Wild Plum 02, Prunus spinosa Blackthorn 02, Pyrus communis Pear 02,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

Rosa pendulina (=alpina) Alpine Rose 31, Rosa pimpinellifolia Burnet Rose 31, Rubus caesius Dewberry 27, 30, 02, Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble 27, Rubus idaeus Wild Raspberry 30, 31 Sorbus aucuparia Rowan 30, Rubiaceae Bedstraw family Asperula aristata 31, 02, Asperula cynanchica Squinancywort 01, Cruciata glabra Glabrous Crosswort 31, Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw 28, Salicaceae Willow family Populus alba White Poplar 27, 28 Salix alba White Willow 27, 28 Salix caprea Goat Willow 27, Salix cinerea Grey Willow 27, Saxifragaceae Saxifrage family Saxifraga rotundifolia Round-leaved Saxifrage 01, Saxifraga stellaris Starry Saxifrage 01, Scrophulariaceae Figwort family Digitalis ambigua (=grandiflora) Large Yellow Foxglove 31, Digitalis lanata Woolly Foxglove 28, Digitalis viridiflora Green-flowered Foxglove 30, 31, Euphrasia minima Dwarf Eyebright 01, Euphrasia officinalis agg. Eyebright 30, Linaria genistifolia Dalmation Toadflax 30, 31, 01 Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax 02, Pedicularis orthantha 01, Rhinanthus javorkae Hay Rattle 01, Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle 31, Rhinanthus rumelicus 31, Scrophularia auriculata Water Figwort 27, 31, o2, Scrophularia nodosa Common Figwort 02, Verbascum longifolium inc ssp pannosum 30, Verbascum sinuatum Wavy-leaf Mullein 29. Veronica anagallis-aquatica Blue Water Speedwell 02, Veronica beccabunga Brooklime 30, Veronica bellidioides Violet Speedwell 01, Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell 01, Veronica montana Wood Speedwell 31, Simaroubaceae [Ailanthus altissima] Tree of Heaven 28, Solanaceae Nightshade family Datura stramonium Thorn Apple 02, Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet 27, 28, 29, Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade 30, 02, Tamaricaceae Tamarix smyrnensis 28, Tiliaceae Tilia x vulgaris Common Lime 27, Thymelaeaceae Daphne family Daphne cneorum Galand Flower 31, Daphne mezereum Mezereon 30, 31,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

Daphne oleoides 31,

Urticacae Nettle family Parietaria judaica Pellitory of the Wall 28, 29, Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle 27, 28, 30, Verbenaceae Verbena officinalis Vervain 27, 28 Violaceae Viola tricolor Heartsease 30, Vitaceae Vitis vinifera Grape Vine 29, 02, Zygophyllaceae Tribulus terrestris Maltese Cross 28, 29, Araceae Arum family Arum italicum Large Cuckoo Pint 28, Butomaceae Butomus umbellatus Flowering Rush 30, Cyperaceae Carex rostrata Bottle Sedge 30, Eleocharis palustris Common Spike-rush 01, Eriophorum angustifolium Common Cotton Grass 01, Scirpus lacustris Common Clubrush 29, 30, Scirpus sylvaticus Wood Club-rush 30, Dioscoreaceae Tamus communis Black Bryony 28, Juncaceae Rush family Juncus effsus Soft Rush 28, 02, Juncus trifidus Three-leaved Rush 31, 01 Lemnaceae Lemna minor Common Duckweed 30, Liliaceae Lily family Allium carinatum Keeled Garlic 01, Allium flavum Yellow Onion 28, 31, 02, Asparagus acutifolius 29, Veratrum album False White Helleborine 31, 01, Orchidaceae Orchid family Dactylorhiza fuchsii Common Spotted Orchid 30, Dactylorhiza cordigera Heart-flowered Marsh Orchid 01, Poaceae Aegilops geniculata

Alopecurus aequalis Orange Foxtail 01, Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail 30, Briza media Quaking Grass 31, Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog's-tail 30, Hordeum murinum Wall Barley 02, Nardus stricta Mat Grass 01, Phleum commutatum (=alpinum) Alpine Timothy Grass 31, 01, Phleum pratense Timothy Grass 30, Phragmites australis Common Reed 28, Sparganiaceae Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed 28, Typhaceae Typha domingensis 29, Typha latifolia Great Reedmace 28,

Bulgaria in Summer Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location/ Dates

BRYOPHYTES (Mosses & Liverworts) Calliergonella cuspidata Pointed Spear Moss 30, Cratoneuron filicinum Fern-leaved Hook-moss 30, Dicranum scoparium Broom Fork-moss 30, Fontinalis antipyretica Willow Moss 01, Hypnum cupressiforme Cypress-leaved Plait-moss 30, Philonotis fontana Fountain Apple-moss 30, Plagiomnium undulatum Hart's-tongue Thyme-moss 27, Pogonatum aloides Dwarf Hair-cap 30, Polytrichum alpinum Alpine Hair-cap 31, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Big Shaggy Moss 30, Tortella tortuosa Frizzled Crip-moss 31,

FUNGI Agaricus augustus The Prince 31, Albatrellus ovinus 30, Trametes hirsuta Hairy Bracket 31, Melampsora caprearum on Salix caprea 27, Phragmidium mucronatum on Rosa sp. 29, Phragmidium violaceum on Rubus fruticosus agg 27, Phragmidium rubi-idaei on Rubus idaeus 31, Puccinia poarum on Tussilago farfara 30, Microbotryum sp. on Dianthus microlepis 01, Uromyces pisi-sativi on Euphorbia cyparissias 31, Golvinomyces sordidus On Plantago major 27, Ramularia lactea On Viola sp. leaf 29, Rhytisma acerinum Tar-spot, on Acer pseudoplatanus 03,

Summary of species Mammals 7 Summary of Invertebrates Birds 97 Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies 35 Reptiles 10 Dermaptera: Earwigs 1 Amphibians 4 Orthoptera: Grasshoppers & Crickets 20 Fish 4 Dictyoptera: Cockroaches & Mantids 4 Invertebrates 371 Hemiptera: Bugs 36 Neuroptera: Lacewings and Allies 5 Flowering Plants 390 Mecoptera: Scorpion Flies 1 Gymnosperms: Conifers and allies 9 Lepidoptera: Butterflies 110 Pteridophytes: Ferns and allies 12 Lepidoptera: Moths 73 Bryophytes 11 Trichoptera: Caddis 2 Lichens 0 Diptera: True Flies 23 Fungi 13 Hymenoptera: Bees, Wasps etc 17 Coleoptera: Beetles 29 Total Animal species 493 Total plant species 435 Arachnida: Spiders & allies 9 Mollusca: Snails, Slugs etc 6 OVERALL SPECIES TOTAL 928