Bulgaria (May 2024) - Wrap Up

A few more odds and ends before I close out the Bulgaria content...

Other versions of this Trip Report: 

Bulgaria - eBird Trip Report

Cloudbirders PDF (with few images)


Final tally: 237 species, 55 of which were life birds. 10/10 fun factor. Combining high elevation boreal forest, mountains, lowlands, and coast during peak migration made for a stellar trip.


The misses:

Paddyfield Warbler – Given reports from previous years, I really thought I would get one or two at the classic spots with some effort. This just seemed to be a late year for them, and those persistent cool strong north winds could not have helped, I imagine. It’s possible a few were present but silent due to the weather, as Pavel suggested might be the case.

Boreal Owl – Late for calling birds. Peak calling period in Bulgaria is reportedly mid-Feb to mid-Apr. The birds are probably in the height of breeding activity at this point in the spring and are not wanting to be seen. I’d have liked more chances to try, but I did what I could within the confines of my itinerary.

Rosy Starling & Eleanora’s Falcon – Not really misses. These are late spring birds. Too early for these, unless you score with an early bird. Did not expect either of them, but kept an open mind.


That about does it! If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! If you find yourself in Bulgaria someday, hopefully this document helps you find the species you're looking for.


- Nick

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