Bird identification course on birds of Bulgaria just ended. We spent a few wonderful days in the area of Eastern Rhodopes in Bulgaria looking at birds and teaching bird ID.The initiative is coordinated and implemented by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of birds and the Norwegian Nord-Trondelag University College.
Each day we conducted field trips for bird identification and managed to see over 70 bird species with a few local highlights including rarities for us. Amongst the highlights are Black Vulture, Chukar, Orphean Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Barred Warbler, Ortolan Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Sombre tit and a lot more.
bird identification, Chukar, image: Iordan Hristov
Spanish Sparrow, image: Iordan Hristov
Sardinian Warbler, image: Iordan Hristov
Bird of Bulgaria ID course
Social programme was also an important part of the bird identification course. We visited a historical tomb in the village of Mezzek.
Here is a full list of birds seen and discussed:
1. Starling (Sturnus vulgaris).
2. Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus).
3. Skylark (Alauda arvensis).
4. Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra).
5.Crested Lark (Galerida cristata).
6.House Martin (Delichon urbicum).
7.Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis).
8.Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris).
9.Raven (Corvus corax).
10.Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra).
11.Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra).
12.Linnet (Carduelis cannabina).
13.Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis).
14.Orphean Warbler (Sylvia hortensis).
15.Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina).
16.Greater Short toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla)
17.Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius).
18.Blackbird (Turdus merula).
19.Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus orientalis).
20.Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs).
21.Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla).
22.Black Stork (Ciconia nigra).
23.Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus).
24.Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe melanoleuca).
25.Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus).
26.Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes).
27.Woodlark (Lullula arborea).
28.Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea).
29.Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica).
30.Red-rimped Swallow (Cecropis daurica).
31.Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros).
32.Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator).
33.Jay (Garrulus glandarius).
34.Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris).
35.Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus).
36.Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus).
37.Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).
38.Northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe).
39.Alpine Swift (Apus melba).
40.Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).
41.Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans albistriata).
42.Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos).
43.Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla).
44.Whitethroat (Sylvia communis).
45.Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus).
46.Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia).
47.Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus).
48.Зеленогуша овесарка (Emberiza cirlus).
49.Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).
50.Black Kite (Milvus migrans).
51.Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus).
52.Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo).
53.Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus).
54.Bee-eater (Merops apiaster).
55.Great Tit (Parus major).
56.Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix).
57.White Stork (Ciconia ciconia).
58.Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos).
59.Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus).
60.Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).
61.Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus).
62.Scops Owl (Otus scops).
63.Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana).
64.Hobby (Falco subbuteo).
65.Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus).
66.Chukar (Alectoris chukar).
67.Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius).
68.Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis).
69.Hoopoe (Upupa epops).
70.Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca).
71.Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala).
72.Jackdaw (Corvus monedula).
73.Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
74.Little Owl (Athene noctua)
75.Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava feldegg)
76.Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)