Brown Bears in Blagoevgrad Zoo still active

Posted by Rossen


In November the Brown Bears in Blagoevgrad Zoo were still active and didn't wanted to sleep through the nice weather.

Brown Bear

Database of Dragonflies and Damselflies (Order Odonata) 2013

Posted by Rossen


All observations for 2013 are summarized in the table and can be downloaded from here or in Resources and Downloads page.

Autumn rarities

Posted by Rossen


During this period of the year, Pygmy Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) migrate singly or in small groups on the Struma river and often surprises with his presence in the wetlands near Blagoevgrad. This Pygmy Cormorant observed in the middle of the marsh, perched on stone, soaking up the sun and among reed-mace arrays in the company of Coots and Little Grebes.

Pygmy Cormorant

Although it is known that forms great roosting sites on the Maritsa river and the Burgas wetlands, here it is very rare and is often confused with the Great Cormorant, becoming  victim of accidental shooting or just being deliberately persecuted because that feed large quantities of fish.

Dead Pygmy Cormorant

Ospreys usually migrate through Struma river in September and October in single and often impress with their approach of hunting flying high above the water and descending rapidly at spotting prey. This Osprey observed soaring for long  over Blagoevgrad wetlands gripped fish in his claws and went to a place where will be undisturbed. Most often these are near power lines or a tall trees.

Osprey

Fortunately, more often succeed to observe Red-crested Pochards in the autumn-winter period as single birds manage to overwinter.

Red-crested Pochard

Standing on one of the stacks of inert material ejected from the neighboring quarries – Hooded Crow observe Struma River by high.

Hooded Crow

Finally, three newly species added to the bird list of Blagoevgrad wetlands namely Long-legged Buzzard, Serin and Bearded Reedling, who watched in noisy flock of 6-7 birds in reed-mace arrays.

  

Bearded Reedling