Thursday 8th June 2023: Romania Day 5, Macin National Park and Steppe

After a reasonable length drive, we took a walk within the Macin National Park, a biodiverse rich area with many plants and butterflies etc. With a change of habitat came a change of bird species. As we drove along the rough track to the reserve, the loud, jangly song of the Corn Bunting was heard and a number of birds were seen throughout the grassland valley. Next up was an Isabelline Wheatear perched on a rock, then dropping to the ground before returning to its original post. 

Isabelline Wheatear

One of our core target species for the day was Tawny Pipit,  and this was rapidly called by Bernie with his expert knowledge of bird song. The bird gave good, sustained views perched in a bush, but was sadly a bit too distant for photographs.  Continuing along the track, we noted enormous crickets, chirruping loudly from the grass, and many butterflies puddling on the damper areas of the track. At a rocky outcrop Alex spotted a resting Long-legged Buzzard. This soon took off and circled the valley, revealing its diagnostic gingery tail . Several of these birds were seen at different locations during the day. Another target species, Pied Wheatear sat atop the distant rock face, visible clearly enough through the scope to identify its colour and markings. Closer to us, several Red backed Shrikes were found perched on top of bushes, then a Golden Oriole was heard singing from a tree adjacent to the track. The distinctive, melodic sound was loud and clear, but we struggled to locate the bird, until it flew out the back and disappeared over the hill, giving the briefest of views. Simon spotted an Ortolan Bunting in his scope, but that too disappeared and despite everyone scanning the valley for several minutes it could not be relocated. By now the heat was getting quite intense and we retraced our steps to join the bus. Bernie heard a Woodlark singing and some saw it’s display flight before it dropped behind the trees. Back at the van, Simon located another bird which he was able to scope before it again flew off into the distance.

We sought out the shade for lunch, enjoying a picnic in the forest, its lush green canopy proving a cool, relaxing setting. The sounds of Chaffinch and other familiar birds filled the air, but Bernie soon recognised a different song- an Icterine Warbler. Initially singing from a high tree, it flew across the picnic area into a low bush, where it did what any warbler does, flitting deep in the foliage, revealing a brief glimpse of part of a bird as it moves.  In the end most of us managed to see enough to feel confident of a tick. Next up Bernie recognised the song of the Red-breasted Flycatcher. This bird, reminiscent of a washed out Robin, was quite mobile, and took some time to track down, but eventually everyone managed pretty decent views. 

This setting had provided a welcome break from the heat, but it was soon time to set off again for our final stop, at an area of steppe wood-pasture. We had hoped for Levant Sparrowhawk here, but none were seen. However, we did have excellent views of an Ortolan Bunting that posed for several minutes at the top of a tree, enabling the photographers to gather a number of shots. This super bird provided a fitting finale for the day.

Ortolan Bunting