Friday 9th June: Babadag Forest, Vada beach and Istria Castle

 Today was our last birding day, and we had a long drive to the beach area at Vada. We broke the journey with a stop in the forest, hoping to add a woodpecker or Hawfinch, but although these were heard they were not seen. Red -breasted Flycatcher was again singing, and there were a few snatches of distant Wood Warbler, but the only new species seen was Greenfinch, camouflaged in the dappled canopy.

On arrival at the coastal region,  we started our birding at an area of several scrapes and marshland. On the first one there was little new - just a  Northern Wheatear, egrets, and Shelduck. Walking on past a corridor of lush green reeds and rushes we heard calling Reed Warblers and a Reed Bunting  posed at the top of a tall stem. The next scrape was very productive and we had a flurry of great species. A flock of Mallard and Gadwall on the muddy bank concealed a Shoveler and Teal, both new trip ticks. There were plenty of waders here too, with Ruff, Marsh Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper all new, together with Avocet, Lapwing, and Black-winged Stilts. Walking a little further a splendid Garganey and partially hidden Red-crested Pochard were picked out too. Bearded Reedlings flitted across the road and amongst the reeds. 

The next pool contained an extensive flock of Common Terns, with two hulking Caspian Terns with ludicrously oversized carrot bills conspicuous in comparison. A Little Gull with summer plumage black hood was roosting at the end of the mud island, and eventually lifted its head from its wing to reveal its dark bill. Two redshank were also feeding on this lagoon. 

Caspian Tern and Common Terns

We rejoined the bus and drove to the beach for an alfresco lunch. Here several Sandwich Terns screeched and dived over the sea. Further out a line of Great Cormorants perched on a black fishing frame, and a Dalmatian Pelican floated on the water, then flew ponderously left, looking very heavy as it lumbered low over the water.

After lunch we began our return journey, pausing en route to observe Spanish Sparrows, normally only seem in storks nests, but here making use of a garden, and we were able to take note of their bright streaked breast plumage compared to the duller House Sparrows nearby.

Our final stop for the day was at  a castle, where we watched a Long legged Buzzard in flight, rufous tail and pale wing patches showing well. Two Swifts over were new for the trip and four Kestrels harangued the Buzzard. A Lesser-spotted Eagle was seen from other side of the bus, but for us this was just a  dark disappearing shape. The one that got away…