RED-BREASTED GEESE WINTER TOUR

Day by day itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Varna. There you will be met by your knowledgeable local guide, then make the 40 mile journey by minibus to our exceedingly comfortable lakeside accommodation, near Durankulak, where we will enjoy its splendid overview.

Days 2 - 4: Lakes Durankulak and Shabla, two brackish wetlands surrounded by arable lands, present impressive gatherings of overwintering waterfowl. The spectacle of flying and feeding Red-breasted Geese is the main attraction, with Black-throated Diver, Black-necked Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Great Egret, Bittern, White-fronted, Greylag and possible Lesser White-fronted Geese, Ferruginous Duck and Smew also present. Three species of swans (including Bewick if you are lucky) should be seen. Spotted Eagle and Saker Falcon are among the top raptors looked for, Rough-legged and Long-legged Buzzards and Merlin also on the cards. Syrian Woodpecker, Great Grey Shrike, Brambling, Bearded Tit, and the elusive Moustached Warbler are among small passerines of interest, and gatherings of gulls will be examined for Great Black-headed Gull.

From Cape Kaliakra Shag, Mediterranean Shearwater and even Arctic Skua may be spotted, with Crested and Calandra Larks occurring in surrounding steppe habitat. A late afternoon visit to a gorge presents chance of an Eagle Owl, and after-dark spotlighting excursions are undertaken in search of nocturnal predatory mammals.

Day 5: A day trip to Romania (if the weather permits) features unforgettable views of Dalmatian Pelicans, Red-breasted Geese, Long-legged and Rough-legged Buzzards and White-tailed Eagle. In addition to species already seen we may add the exceedingly rare Pallas´s Gull.

Day 6: Depending on your departure flight on the Varna Airport we will stop for birdwatching around.