Tuesday 14th May: Rhodope mountains

 I started the day with a short stroll around the fish farm adjacent to our hotel. There were several White and Grey Wagtails around the fish pans, and I disturbed a Raven feeding in a grassland area nearby, but it was generally very quiet on the bird front.

We drove again to a mountain area, exploring the coniferous and broad-leaved forests as we continued our search for key target species, however, sadly our luck did not really improve. We had hoped to find Hazel Grouse, and although those at the front of the bus, noted a likely bird disturbed from the roadside, it disappeared too quickly for a confirmed identification, although Bernie felt it was the right shape and colour. The ubiquitous ‘one that got away!’

We stopped with the vain hope that it may reappear, and as we waited an obliging Willow Tit flew in, calling and foraging in some nearby trees, allowing decent views for all. At a short distance, we alighted for another stop, walking a short distance along a track, where we tried again for Pygmy Owl, without success, but the taped calls did attract attention from Goldcrests, Coal Tits and Crested Tits.

Our final stop in this area produced several Mistle Thrush and another Ring Ouzel, with Chiffchaff and Song Thrush also heard, before we re-boarded for our transfer to the Eastern Rhodope mountains. This was a long journey, but the scenery was again wonderful, with dramatic steep, tree lined slopes, a palette of greens, traversed with tumbling streams and rivers. 

Rhodope Mountains

Gradually, the terrain transitioned from high mountains to rolling, volcanic plains, with white pines becoming the dominant tree species and a more open, scrubby landscape. As we neared our accommodation, we stopped at a small village to observe a colony of Pallid Swifts, which swooped acrobatically around us, clearly nesting in a nearby derelict building. Plenty of House Martins and Swallows were also here, sweeping low to capture insects in the late afternoon light. Other highlights were a showy Woodchat Shrike, which gave good scope views, a Cuckoo which flew across calling loudly, and a Corn Bunting, perched atop a nearby tree, pouring out its monotonous song.

We finally arrived at our accommodation, in the town of Krumovgrad, where we were to spend the next three nights.