Waders migration in march

Posted by Rossen


March is the time of active migration of waders in the Struma river valley. Basically these are birds nesting in the most northern part of its range. Among observed  waders in Blagoevgrad wetlands were 6 Black-winged Stilts, 8 Green Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Ruffs, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Greenshank and 1 Marsh Sandpiper.

Black-winged Stilts in the shallows

Flock of Black-winged Stilts

Three rare bird species in one shot - Ruff, Marsh Sandpiper and  Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt - ad. ♂

Black-winged Stilts

First for the season

Posted by Rossen


Common Winter Damselfly (Sympecma fusca) is the only dragonfly in Bulgaria, which overwinters as adult insect and at the first warm weather in early spring start flying in their distinctive habitats. This one observed
in late March in the marshes near Blagoevgrad.

Common Winter Damselfly

Beekeeping in Bulgaria

Posted by Rossen

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

honeycomb

Birds of forest habitats

Posted by Rossen

Here are a few species occurring in forest habitats and urban parks.Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a bird of the family Flycatchers. Inhabits the edge of the moist coniferous, mixed and deciduous forests rich undergrowth of blackberry, raspberry, hawthorn and rosehip. Nests at the base of trees and rotten stumps, under stones, in the roots or in burrows on steep river banks of gullies.

Robin

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is a small and beautiful songbird. Breeding season begins in March. Build their nests high in the trees next to the trunk, built of twigs, roots and moss from the outside is camouflaged with lichens, and the inside is soft littered.

Chaffinch

Marsh Tit (Parus palustris) is a small songbird of the family Tits (Paridae), closely related to the Willow Tit.They prefer large areas of moist, broadleaved woodland, often oak or beech, though they can occupy wet alder woodland, riverside trees, parks and gardens or orchards.

Marsh Tit

Spring migration already began!

Posted by Rossen


Today, 08.03.2014, observed first migratory birds in Blagoevgrad wetlands under hurricane north wind conditions and low temperatures. The first migratory Ruffs (Philomachus pugnax) observed on stony section on the Struma river banks. Probably it comes to birds nesting in the northern areas of its range.

Ruff

Ruffs flying north

The first for the season migratory Osprey prefer the shallows as the most appropriate place to protection from hurricane northerly winds in early March. During the observation came the first flock of House Martins (Delichon urbicum) and flock of 18 Shelducks.

Osprey in the shallows of Blagoevgrad wetlands

Birds of the Struma river

Posted by Rossen


In the Struma River valley passes Via Aristotelis - the second most important migration route for wild birds in Bulgaria. Each spring from early March to June pass over 200 species of birds on their way to nesting sites. Many of them stop for short or remain to nest in various habitats. Among them, are Short-toed Eagle, Sardinian Warbler, Black-winged Stilt and Corn Bunting.

Short-toed Eagle is found in sparse deciduous and coniferous forests often near open fields, pastures and meadows. It nests in trees, mostly deciduous. It feeds mainly on snakes, lizards and frogs, rarely small mammals and insects.

Short-toed Eagle

Sardinian Warbler inhabits dry areas with bushes south of the Kresna gorge, preferring to feed small insects.

Sardinian Warbler

Black-winged Stilt was seen repeatedly during spring and autumn migration in the Struma river valley in the river spills, marshes and fishponds.

Black-winged Stilt

Corn Bunting is one of the key indicators to be used as an index of the state of the environment in rural areas. This is possible because it is extremely sensitive to changes in habitat and intensification in agriculture.

Corn Bunting