Autumn Migration Trip

This exciting tour to the western coastal zone of the Black Sea features one of the most pronounced movements of migratory birds occurring in Europe. The famed passage of raptors and storks over the Boshporus is fed by a concentrated corridor of birds funnelling along the Bulgarian coast (known as the ‘Via Pontica’ flyway).
Some local breeding birds will have departed the area, but numerous small passerines, waders and waterfowl are moving down from their northern breeding grounds.
Our tour catches the migration at its peak, when countless thousands of raptors, storks, pelicans, waders and small passerines ensure a day to day action-filled experience. Located at the crossroads between east and west the checklist of species promises to be one of the longest – and most exotic – for any European tour.

Lesser Spotted, Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Steppe, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, four species of harrier, Levant Sparrowhawk, Saker and Red-footed Falcons are among the large cast of appetising raptors – lots of opportunity to hone your ID skills. White and Black Storks, Dalmatian and White Pelicans also soar overhead, while Pygmy Cormorant, Great Egret and other herons, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis and Crane are some of the highlights of wetlands visited. Just about anything is possible on the wader front – Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers are regular – and small passerines often pass through in droves; Ruddy Shelduck and Ferruginous Duck are notable wildfowl.

But the tour isn’t just about birds. We shall also try to find mammals (including three marine species), of which Jackal, Marbled and Steppe Polecats, Romanian Hamster and European Souslik are of particular interest. To this end we embark on our well-tested and highly successful spotlighting sorties after dark – a very popular and addictive activity. We may also encounter amphibians and reptiles – Eastern Spadefoot (toad), Stripe-necked Terrapin, Balkan Wall and European legless Lizard, Reddish Whip, Leopard and Four-lined Snakes – and late wild flowers will doubtless inspire interest.

We visit some of the most important wetlands in Europe, unspoiled dunes and beaches, pristine steppe habitats and wooded valleys, at a time when visitors are few and the azure blue waters of the Black Sea may be enjoyed in the warmth of early autumn sunshine.
NOTE This tour is limited to 10 participants and offered at a reduced promotional cost