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Destination
country: Romania. Arrive and depart Bucharest.
Next
schedule:
- 09-16 (19) September, 2011
Duration:
8 days plus 3 days Carpathian-extension.
Price:
1190 GBP + 150 GBP single supplement (excl. airfares)
Accommodation:
Three-star level rooms with private facility.
Numbers:
Max. 12 tour participants with 2 guides.
Transport:
Minivan plus "floating"-hotel ("salupa").
Three-star hotels during extension.
Description:
"...A
week in the Danube Delta, Europe’s top birding paradise
and home to the native Lipovan fishing community. The Delta
is undoubtely the premier birding site in Europe with innumerable
waterbirds, herons, songbirds, raptors, good numbers of rarities
such as the globally threatened Dalmatian Pelican and Pygmy
Cormorant, and the only breeding site in Europe for White-tailed
Plover. The brackish waters of the Black Sea lagoons, sea
coast, forests, steppes and gorges of Dobrodgea also promise
many breathtaking rarities. Definitely an experience of a
lifetime. After our birding adventure we return to Bucharest
where you can either return home or join us for our Carpathian-extension
to see a great selection of mountain birds..."
Top
birds: Five Grebe species, Mediterranean Shearwater, White
Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Bittern, Little
Bittern, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, White and Black Storks,
Egrets and herons, Glossy Ibis, Geese, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck,
Ducks incl. Ferruginous and possibly White-headed, White-tailed
Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Kite, Long-legged
Buzzard, Levant Sparrowhawk, Lesser Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon,
Saker, Grey Partidge, Quail, Crakes, Water Rail, European
Common Crane, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Stone
Curlew, Collared Pratincole, Kentish Plover, White-tailed
Lapwing, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew, Slender-billed Gull, Mediterranean
Gull, Pallas's Gull, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Caspian Tern,
Gull-billed Tern, Marsh Terns, Scops Owl, Little Owl, Nightjar,
Hoopoe, Kingfisher, Bee-eater, Roller, Short-toed Lark, Calandra
Lark, Tawny Pipit, Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Black-eared
Wheatear, Pied Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Paddyfield Warbler,
Sombre Tit, Bearded Tit, Penduline Tit, Woodchat Shrike, Lesser
Grey Shrike, Rose-coloured Starling, Spanish Sparrow, Ortolan
Bunting, Cirl Bunting. Extension:
Wallcreeper, Rock Pipit, Ring Ouzel, Alpine Accentor, Shore
Lark, Firecrests, Crossbills, Hazelhen, Nutcracker, Woodpeckers
incl. Three-toed, Hawfinch, Bullfinch, Siskin, Crested Tit,
Willow Tit, Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare and Alpine Swift.
Habitats:
Dobrodgea, Danube Delta (Sulina, Sontea, Lake Fortuna, Crisa,
Lake Ligheanca and Bogdaproste, Caraorman, Razim, Histria,
Babadag, Vadu, Lake Hasarlac), Black Sea coast. Extension:
Carpathian mountains.
Sample itinerary:
Day
1: Bucharest, Macin Hills,
to Tulcea. Arrive to Bucharest. Transfer to
the Danube Delta to Tulcea city by bus. This drive takes about
230-260 km’s, but we will try to refresh ourselves with
some small birding. En route we will have a stop for soft
drink, and during our stop we will have opportunity to investigate
a nice colony of Spanish Sparrows. After this - depending
on time - we will visit the extraordinary Macin Hills area,
which is the home of many Mediterranean birds and unique insects.
We will try to find Rock Thrush, Pied-, Black-eared Wheatears,
and locate a colony of Isabelline Wheatear too. The hills
are inhabited with many Ortolan Buntings, and we have a reliable
chance to see Woodchat Shrikes and Woodlarks too. Lesser Grey
Shrike, Bee-eater and Roller are common. Because the short
time we need luck to see the elusive Booted Eagle, Short-toed
Eagle, Saker. The hilly range is one of the sites in Romania,
where Egyptian Vultures can be seen rarely. After if you aren’t
tired, we can stay until dusk to attract Nightjars, as here
are so many pairs. Finally we arrive to Tulcea for a welcome
drink and dinner, and we will occupy our rooms on the board
of the floating hotel, named as “Salupa” by the
locals. This kind of transportation - combined with accommodation
- is fairly the best way to explore the best birding place
of Europe. In the rest of the trip all of our nights will
spend on the board, and meals also will be served in the restaurant
of the salupa, except some picnic lunches. Rooms are air-conditioned
and mosquito-free (this is very important…), and we
will have open air-terrace for resting and birding even at
the same time when we travel to the inside of the Delta area.
Day
2: Delta exploration 1.
- Sulina, Maliuc, Sontea, Lake Fortuna. After
breakfast we departure on the Sulina channel and we begin
our exploration in the Delta area with detailed search for
many small river branches, lakes, lagoons, sand dunes. We
will spend the next four days with this activity - to enjoy
the impression and the beauty of thousands of living creatures.
At first Delta day we have a stop at Maliuc. Lunch on board.
Motorboat exploration on Sontea Channel and Fortuna Lake.
Dinner and accommodation on board. River deltas form the world's
richest habitats. In Europe we have just a handful of them.
The Danube Delta is the largest, the least spoilt and the
most inaccessible. We will make our way along channels lined
with overhanging willows, haunt of Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy
Ibis, and every European breeding species of herons. The Danube
Delta is undoubtedly the best site for the vulnerable Pygmy
Cormorant, as main part (4000 pairs) of the European population
breeds here. You will be surprised with the “vulnerable”
indicative, as in the Delta area you will see huge flocks
of this nice birds. It is the same for the Glossy Ibis too,
as about 2500 pairs inhabit the Delta area. Grebes on the
lakes include hundreds of Black-necked and Red-necked Grebes,
and Red-crested Pochard, Gadwall, Pintail and Ferruginous
Ducks are also amongst the breeding wildfowl. Little Bittern,
Bittern, Squacco and Purple Herons, Spoonbills are common.
Mute Swan and Greyleg Geese are very widespread, Night and
Grey Herons, Great and Little Egrets are everywhere. One of
the highlight of the trip is the daily wiev of the soaring
Pelicans. White Pelicans sometimes form a huge flock on the
sky, include even 2-300 birds. The total population of the
Delta area is around 4000 pairs. Dalmatian Pelican is more
rare with about 200 pairs, and they usually form small parties,
but of course we will have also chance every day to see these
really endangered birds. In the woodland areas of the delta
the sounds of Golden Orioles, Olivaceous Warblers and Thrush
Nightingales mingle, while we listen for the high calls of
Penduline Tit amongst the willows together with the lovely
Bearded Tits. We will see many Hoopoes, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters,
and the number of Rollers is something incredible. At the
night we have a good chance to find some Scops and Little
Owls, and there are some Nightjars too around the dunes of
Caraorman. We will have a chance to see some Rose-coloured
Starlings, and many shorebirds around the shallow lakes. This
is the area where the Finnish guide Jari Peltomaki found the
first Pectoral Sandpiper of the country. Raptors are much
in evidence, with Hobby and Marsh Harrier are by far the most
common species. However White-tailed Eagle and Black Kite
already are very rare, we should see some. Red-footed Falcon
is still common, at migration the record number is around
5000. Lesser Kestrel is a rare breeder here, anyway we have
a chance to see some. Osprey also may have present. White
Stork is common in the villages, while Black Stork can be
seen soaring over the forests. At the Black See coast we will
have a new opportunity to add many excellent species to our
lists. As we are very much in the migrating season, we will
have a good chance to see Mediterranean Shearwaters, and even
three species of Skuas. The coast is full with Oystercatchers,
among them there are some flocks of Curlews and Whimbrels
too. I just carefully notify that Delta area is still the
most reliable place to see the world’s rarity Slender-billed
Curlew. At the sandy dunes are the good populations of Stone
Curlews, and while we chase for them, we must be careful to
find some Isabelline Wheatear who live in the same area. The
highlight of the area will be the White-tailed Plover which
had a small colony here in the previous years. The most common
gulls here are the Mediterranean and Little Gull in this period,
of course together with thousands of Black-headed, and Yellow-leggeds.
To see some flock of Slender-billed Gulls or some Great Black-headed
Gulls wouldn’t be a surprise. There are also innumerable
Sandwitch and Gull-billed Terns, but Caspian are also widespread
at the migration. In the inner marshes these terns change
habitats with the “true” Marsh Terns. Black Tern
and Whiskered Terns are common, while White-winged Black Tern
is more rare.
Day
3: Delta exploration 2.
- Crisan, Lighaenca, Bogdaprosta Lakes. After
breakfast, departure by floating hotel to Crisan area. Flotel
will be stationed on the arm "the old Danube". Afternoon,
lake exploration on Ligheanca lake and Bogdaproste lake. We
continue the exploration of waterbirds in the area.
Day
4: Delta exploration 3.
- Caraorman sand dunes. Whole
day trip to the unique Caraorman sand dunes and the village
with pick-nick lunch. We also visit the Lipovan fishermen
inhabitants of the area. If the mosquitoes allow us, we will
make an open air barbeque and roost fish on camp fire. This
is really a balsam for the nerves.
Day
5: Delta exploration 4.
- Razim lagoon. Exploration in the southern
part of the Delta area, together with the lagoon complex of
Razim. We finish the Delta exploration today, and the rest
of the trip we will concentrate on the world-famous Histria
area, and on such unique habitats like the Babadag Forest.
Day
6: Babadag Forest.
After breakfast we will jump on our bus and explore the famous
Mediterranean Babadag forest. Here the hills rise above 400m,
the main habitat is dry oak woodland. The main attractions
are the Woodpeckers, which include Syrian, Black and Middle-spotted,
but even the lilfordi spp. of White-backed too. The forest
have a small population of Sombre Tit, Isabelline Weather,
Spanish Sparrow, and above all the raptors. Levant Sparrowhawk
and Goshawk both breed, together with Lesser Spotted Eagle.
We have a chance to see Booted Eagle, Long-legged and Honey
Buzzard, Imperial Eagle, Saker and… Egyptian Vultures
maybe. Considering songbirds it is excellent for Red-backed
Shrike, Woodlark, Short-toed Lark and Tawny Pipit. The forest
is very good for some rare or nice butterflies too.
Day 7: Histria-Vadu.
Full day birding around Histria and Vadu. All sites are ranked
among the best single birdwatching sites in Europe. Amongst
the thousands of waterbirds here can be found a fine variety
of terns and waders. Collared Pratincole (200 pairs) and White-tailed
Plover breed here (your guide observed 52 specimen in 2000
here), and both White- and Dalmatian Pelicans can be found.
Away from the main lake, the area has innumerable pools and
reedbeds, and these form a wonderful habitat in themselves,
with innumerable herons of several species, and fabulous variety
of warblers and other songbirds. Away from the lakeshores,
the area has extensive scrub and rocky sites with dry steppe
land good for Stone Curlew and Calandra Lark, together with
four species of Shrike and Roller, and sometimes, a few Pied
Wheatear. The raptors here are excellent, with Red-footed
Falcon and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Marsh Harriers. We will see
a colony of Pygmy Terns too (30-40 pairs), which is mixed
with dozens of Kentish Plovers and Collared Pratincole. We
will check for all Pratincoles, as it is the only –
irregular – breeding place of Black-winged Pratincole
in Romania. The area includes hundreds of Black-winged Stilts,
and excellent for Avocets too. Waders include Stints, Snipes,
Sandpipers of course incl. the rare Marsh Sandpipers. Both
species of Godwits are widespread, and everyone has a chance
to see some Shelduck and Ruddy Shelduck, as both species breeds
in the area. At the grassy places there are usually some migrating
Black Storks. The edge of reedbeds and shallow waters holds
a good population of Little and Spotted Crakes, of course
we will try to attract some. Our daily exercise will include
a careful check of Wagtails, as it is the best site for Citrine
Wagtail in Romania. The race feldeggi of Yellow Wagtail is
also very common here. During the search we may disturb some
Little Owl from the sandy roads, as well as Short-toed Larks
and Tawny Pipits. During the daytime we will visit the Histria
ruins too, and near the roadside we will try to find some
Paddyfiled Warbler.
Day
8:
To Bucharest.
After breakfast departure to Bucharest for return flight.
The drive takes 3-4 hours but we stop en route for birds at
Lake Hasarlac
for some furthermore freshwater birding. Near the roadside
we hope to find some Grey Partridge to add our almost finalized
list.
Extension:
Day 9-10:
Visiting the Carpathian Range
around Sinai and Mt. Bucec to see Wallcreepers, Alpine Accentor,
Shorelark, Ring Ouzel, Ural Owl, Firecrest, Nutcracker, Red-breasted
Flycatcher and other mountain specialitis.
Day 11:
To Bucharest.
Departure.
Further
extensions:
-Bucharest sightseeing with Snagov;
1-2 days on request, before the main trip.
See
further details on Delta bellow
the map!
Black
square=Bucharest
Yellow dots=Day 1-8. trip stations
Red dots=Day 9-10. (extension)
Season highlights of the Danube Delta:
5, Jan. – 15, Febr.: Danube Delta: Red-breasted Geese,
White-headed Duc, Great Black Headed Gulls, Slender-billed
Gulls, Pygmy Cormorant, lagoons with mirriads of birds.
III.15.-IV.10.: also excellent for bears in the Carpathians
IV.15-30.: best for bird migration from boattrip
V-VI.: good for a „breeding bird tour” which cover
both the Delta and Transylvania
Middle of VII: Carpathian breeding species with Alpine Accentor,
Shore Lark, Alpine Swifts, Wallcreeper, Golden- and maybe
Imperial Eagle
End of VII: begining of migration at the Delta and Dobrodgea
VIII-X: excellent for Delta+Dobrodgea+see coast (very much
species)
XI.: Transylvania for bears, Delta for migratory birds(bus+boats)
First half of XII: Transylvania: bears ; Delta: Red-breasted
Geese, White-headed Ducks, Pygmy Cormorants, other waterbirds.
Premier
spots in the Delta area:
1./ Macin Hills: Booted Eagle, Short-toed
Eagle, Rock Thrush, Woodchat Shrike, Black-eared Wheatear,
Pied Wheatear, Isabelline Wheater, Ortolan Bunting, Spanish
Sparrow, Egyptian Vulture (?), Lesser Grey Shrike, Saker,
Imperial Eagle sometimes
2./ Maliuk-Fortuna: Pelicans and other typical
Delta birds, hundreds of Rollers, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers,
Pygmy Cormorants, , Glossy Ibis, herons and egrets, Mediterranean
Gulls at the winter Red-breasted Geese and White-headed Duck,
Greater Black-headed Gulls, Slender-billed Gulls
3./ Vadu-Histria: shallow waters and salt
lakes with 300 Collared Pratincole, thousands of shorebirds,
breeding White-tailed Plover, Imperial Eagle, Booted Eagle,
Saker, Levant Sparrowhawk, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Long-legged
Buzzard, Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Ferrugineous Duck
4./ Sfinthu Gheorge: typical Delta birds
+ White-tailed Plover, Lesser Kesstrel, Isabelline Wheatear,
White-tailed Eagle, seecoast birds, skuas, gulls, shorebirds,
excellent for reptiles
5./ Sachalin Island + Sea coast: thousands
of Caspian Terns, Gull-billed Terns, Sandwich Terns, excellent
for migratory rarities (songbirds)
6./ Tulcea-Babadag Forest: White-backed Woodpecker
(lilfordii; rare), Parus lugubris
7./ Techirgiol Lakes: Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck,
White-headed Duck, Red-breasted Geese
+ 8./ Carpathians: bears, Wallcreeper, pine
forest birds, Shore Lark, Alpine Accentor, Golden Eagle, Alpine
Swifts
+ 9./ Canarau Fetti (Bulgarian border): Egyptian
border (?), Eagle Owl, P. rupestris, Red-rumped Swallow, Alpine
Swifts
Other
animal life in the Delta area:
However
we will of course concentrate on birds, there are many excellent
other living creatures in the Delta area. We will have a limited
time for searching them, but we will try to locate some. The
most common mammal will be the Muskrat, we will see dozens
during the route . Other mammals of the area are Fox, Wild
Boar, Wolf, Otter, Stoat, Weasel, Wildcat and Golden Jackal.
The Delta is one of the very few places in Europe where the
neglectic European Mink lives. Racoon Dog is very widespread,
unfortunately very difficult to see, as usually every mammals.
Around Histria in the last years we were very lucky to see
the rare Steppe Polecat. We disturbed by accident a sleeping
animal from a bush. We were also “lucky” with
the very unique Marbled Polecat too, however it means we found
a very fresh carcass hit by a car just near the roadside of
Histria. This area is also imaginable for the Spotted and
European Souslik, the latter is the main food of the Saker
and the Imperial Eagle. In the Black See three different kind
of dolphins lives, unfortunately I have never seen any of
them, except many bones in the sand of the coast. People say
that the Ukraine side of the Delta still holds a relict and
very small population of Monk Seal, probably the most endangered
mammal of all Europe. Finally two bigger rodents are endemic
to the area, the Grey- and the Romanian Hamster. Both rare,
while Common Hamster and European Hare are common at the agricultural
fields.
Black See coast with the Delta area also the home of some
interesting amphibian and reptiles. Fire-bellied Toad, Common
and Green Toad, Common Tree Frog, Smooth and Warty Newts are
widespread. Marsh, Pool and Edible Froogs are also common.
A speciality is the unique Eastern Spadefoot. Among reptiles
we will see many European Pond Terrapin in the Delta area,
and Spur-thighed Tortoise can be seen at Babadag and Macin
Hills. Lizzards include the Common Wall, Balkan Wall, Sand
and Green Lizzards, and maybe the Balkan Green Lizzard and
Snake-eyed Skink too at the Macin area. Eremias is unfortunately
very rare, as well as Large Whip Snake, Four-lined Snake too.
Grass and Dice Snake fortunatelly still very common. We have
a very small chance for poisonous snakes. Orsini’s Viper
(spp. renardi) lives at the dry small scrubs at the seacoast’
dunes, while Nose-horned Viper in the Macin area at the warm
hillsides.
However August is absolutely not the best time for butterflies,
there are some species, which are well worth to mention. Swallowtail
and Scarce Swallowtail are abundant. Macin Hills is a home
of the rare Fenton’s Wood and Southern Small Whites.
Unfortunately we will miss the endemic and very nice Nogel’s
Hairstreak, which flies in June, and was described near Tulcea
in 1895. In the willow forests we will look for the beautiful
Lesser Purple Emperor, maybe some late specimen will wait
for us. Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock Butterfly,
Comma Butterfly are common in the area just to mention some
nice and representative member of the butterfly family, these
are really well worth to have a look. Dragonflies have also
some interesting species in the area. Among them we should
mention the nice and strange looking Epallage fatime, which
live only here in Europe except some Bulgarian waters. All
in all we will have a net on the trip, to catch, observe and
release them together with butterflies Your guide will be
keen to answer all of your questions according to this nice
small animals too.
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