About

Nature Monitoring activities and projects (Sofia photo walks & PhotoHound.co)

Hi, I am a keen birder from Bulgaria involved in conservation for the past 20+ years. I am often hired by universities to organise and conduct training sessions on bird identification for students, by developers to conduct bird surveys, by tour operators to guide birdwatching and wildlife photography trips. I have extensive experience with bird calls and visual identification of birds. I am well positioned in the conservation community in Bulgaria with multiple contacts around the country that can provide me with up-to-date information for birds present at locations. My main language is English and most of the people I have guided are from the UK, USA, Netherlands, and Germany.

Bird surveys

• Annual breeding bird survey of arctic birds in Norway (images);
• bird migration surveys;
• bird surveys in remote mountainous areas;
• surveys and development of birdwatching routes;
• bird surveys in areas subject to development;

Birdwatching trips

• Guide birding trips in Bulgaria and Northern Greece (see my available trips here and do not hesitate to contact me for any other inquiries if you have any. Just use the contact form here).
• Conduct bird identification training including 1-2-1
   

Wildlife, Street and Travel photography

• guide photo walks in Sofia
• guide bird photography trips for national and international tour operators
• sale of images and prints (see gallery). Contact me for any image you like.

Landscape photography

• guide landscape photography trips
• landscape photography guide for Bulgaria – PhotoHound.co
• images for sale (see gallery)

Optics sale:

• Opticron binoculars and scopes (only in Bulgarian)

Follow me on Instagram & Facebook

Feel free to contact me using the contact form here.

See some of my reviews on Tripadvisor below:

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Deirdre I 
 
2023-10-31
 
 
  
 
Great photography opportunity to spend time with a wonderful wildlife guide.?
Fantastic trip, would really recommend as so well organised. .Lordan is very patient, knowledgeable and passionate about his love of nature and wildlife. The photography opportunities were amazing and look forward to joining the next trip.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Raimonds S 
 
2023-10-15
 
 
  
 
Birdwatching at the Top level
Great thanks to Iordan for his highly professional work and leadership in BirdID Bulgaria 2023 trip!!! Over 200 bird species seen over relatively short time period BUT luck does not fall from the sky (well - sometimes), real experts know how to increase probability of Luck to happen.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Bjarne B L A 
 
2023-10-12
 
 
  
 
Birding Bulgaria at it's best!
Tern days field study travelling from Sofia up in the southwestern Bulgaria, down to the black Sea and back up to Sofia. More than 200 species of birds were seen! Good opportunities for pictures. The trip wad organized and led by Iordan Hristov in a very competent way. Good birds, good hotels and food. Iordan knows where the birds are to be found and guides in the best possible way!
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Leander B 
 
2023-10-11
 
 
  
 
Fantastic wildlife photo tour
I contacted Iordan because I wanted to experience wildlife different from that we have in Holland. Therefor Iordan provided me with 6 different options to experience. After some thinking I decided to join Iordan on a trip to south- western Bulgaria and lake Kerkini in Northern Greece. And the experience was just amazing. Iordan is a great guy and great skills in spotting and observing birds. Each birdsong he recognizes and after which he casually spots them. Before you know it you've seen over 100 of different birds. But it is not just this what made the tour so great, it is also the itinerary he came up with; a visit to a wide array of different habitats (lakes, dikes, mountains, quarries, wetlands, urban and many more). In the end I would totally do the tour all over again!
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 James R 
 
2023-10-11
 
 
  
 
Go to bird guide in Greece & Bulgaria.
Dancho was our local guide on a wildlife photography trip to Northern Greece. The main focus of the trip was the pelicans of lake Kerkini, photographed from land and by boat. In addition we explored local wetlands to photograph flamingo and waterfowl, making several productive stops between key shooting locations to look for species like rock sparrow, blue rock thrush and fire crest. Without the guidance and support from Dancho the trip would not have been nearly as productive or half as much fun.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Richard B 
 
2023-10-10
 
 
  
 
Wonderful Wildlife Photographic Tour of Bulgaria/Northern Greece
I travelled with Mr Hristov on his photographic tour of Bulgaria and Northern Greece (Lake Kerkini), targeting Eagles and Dalmatian Pelicans. His local knowledge of the geography and the wildlife is unsurpassed and he also shared his passion for photography providing lots of sound advice. I would certainly strongly recommend him and hope that I can join him on a future trip.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Jürgen T 
 
2023-10-10
 
 
  
 
Across Bulgaria and back - nature travelling at it´s best
We, a group of biologists and zoological and botanical nature enthusiasts from Germany, already did our 2nd travel with Iordan Hristov through the marvelous nature of Bulgaria and Northern Greece. In June 2019 we made a trip from Sofia to the Black Sea coast and back (i. a. Bessapari mountains, Plovdiv, Eastern Rhodope mountains, Black Sea coast), In June 2023 we travelled through Rila and Pirin mountains to Kerkini Lake in Northern Greece. Both times we were totally flashed by the richness of birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, grashoppers, plants and of course by the incredible natural places Iordan showed us. We also very well appreciated the cultural "side-programs" (i. a. Sofia, Plovdiv, Perperikon, Nessebar, Sozopol). Iordan´s organization, tour schedule, accommodation, tour guidance and birding skills were brilliant!! And not to forget, we won a dear friend!! Our next trip with Iordan will surely follow soon!! Jürgen, tour-leader and biologist from Lower-Franconia, Germany!
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Paul E 
 
2023-10-10
 
 
  
 
Excellent wildlife guide with local knowledge
I have been on two tours with Iordan (one birding one photographic) and found his guidance, local knowledge and organization excellent. He has a lot of contacts which enabled the group to visit some great locations and, combined with his field identification skills, enabled great photographic opportunities combined with a large bird list. Hope to join him again soon.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Geoff C 
 
2023-10-10
 
 
  
 
Birding in Bulgaria with Iordan Hristov
Have just spent 5 days in Bulgaria birding with Iordan (Early October 23). Started in Sofia at the Vitosha NP before driving to Borgas to witness some of the migration. Then on to the Madzharovo caldera for some spectacular sights and amazing birding experiences. Iordan is without doubt one of the best ornithologists I have ever spent time with. His knowledge of local avifauna from waders to warblers is outstanding. He knows where to find the birds and how to observe them. The keenest eyesight I have ever seen and his ears work like a bat’s radar system where he is able to pinpoint the distance to, and location of, a bird just from its call, an amazing talent. He very quickly worked out my level of knowledge and skill and tailored the tour to suit. Some lengthy drives between different habitats, interspersed with regular stops at superb hotspots was well worthwhile. Eating local Bulgarian cuisine for all meals was a highlight and the local people amazingly friendly and accommodating. Final nights at the Madzharovo Bird Society Lodge were outstanding. Recorded a total of 137 species, (95 lifers) including near threatened and endangered raptors. Iordan is not only a brilliant ornithologist but also a wonderful human being. I will return to get the ones we missed and to expand the empire into Northern Greece next year.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Sherry G 
 
2023-10-08
 
 
  
 
Find the birds with Iordan!
My husband and I have traveled and birded with Iordan twice, both during September autumn migration, once in Bulgaria for a week and once in Greece for a week. Both experiences were amazing. Iordan made all the arrangements, in accordance with our budget and interests, was endlessly patient with our many questions, and inspired us with his passion for the birds and for protecting the native ecosystems. We found 110 birds in Bulgaria and 176 in Greece, thanks to Iordan's knowledge of the areas, of the birds, and of the migration patterns. He is a great travel companion, and we enjoyed all our time spent with him (and we generally prefer to travel on our own). We both recommend him highly.
  
 
 
  
 
 
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