Exploring the internationally important wetlands of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

Every winter almost the entire world population of the handsome red-breasted goose return to the Black Sea coast, feeding on the winter crop fields of northern Bulgaria and the Romanian Danube Delta and roosting on the lakes of Shabla and Durankulak. The lakes occupy former river estuaries, winding through hilly plains down to the coastal dunes and beaches. Watching the early morning ‘take off’ of hundreds of thousands of geese, including up to 30,000 red-breasted geese is truly spectacular.

While enjoying the red-breasted geese we will also search through the larger flocks of white-fronted geese, looking for lesser white-fronted and bean goose. Long-legged buzzard, rough-legged buzzard and peregrine are all common winter residents, and we will keep our eyes peeled for the occasional saker or white-tailed eagle.

From here we move south to the lakes and wetlands around Burgas. Here we will enjoy the company of large numbers of pygmy cormorant and both white and Dalmatian pelicans, whilst searching out the wintering flocks of white-headed duck and the bitterns that are resident in the area.

A day away from the water will take us south into the oak-clad Strandja Mountains where early spring flowers including cyclamen, crocus and snowdrops will be starting to bloom and where drumming woodpeckers could include the shy white-backed woodpecker.

As well as the birds, we will also have the opportunity to look for signs of some of Bulgaria’s elusive and charismatic mammals: we will find tracks and signs and who knows, with luck, sightings of wild cat, otter or golden jackal are all strong possibilities.

But there is more to this part of Bulgaria than the wildlife. During this trip we will learn more about the sterling conservation work being carried out for these wetlands and their threatened wildlife, not least the red-breasted geese which will be the real highlight of the trip. Funds raised by this trip will go to the red-breasted goose conservation project at Durankulak and Shabla.

For a trip report and photos from our February 2010 trip, visit wildlifetravelling.blogspot.com

Price £1145, SRS £90

Leaders: Philip Precey & local guides