Waders migration in May

Posted by Rossen


In late May complete waders migration, as only Little Ringed Plovers and Common Sandpipers remain to nest in the Struma river valley. Here is the number and species observed in Blagoevgrad wetlands in May as follows: 1 Common Greenshank, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Common Sandpipers,  9 Ruff, 10 Wood Sandpipers and 4 Little Stints.

Little Stint (Calidris minuta)

Osprey migration

Posted by Rossen


Osprey is a bird that performs large distances migrations, as the European population spend the winter away in Africa, then from the beginning of March to May migrates through the Balkans to reach nesting places in Northern Europe. This spring, in Blagoevgrad wetlands were recorded five sightings of Osprey and after detailed checking of the photos can be said that the observations were made on different birds. The earliest observation on 08.03.2014 and later than 06.05.2014.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Yellow-banded Skipper (Pyrgus sidae)

Posted by Rossen


Yellow-banded Skipper (Pyrgus sidae) is a widespread species in southern Europe including Bulgaria. Prefers warm dry grassy and rocky places, usually on calcareous ground, with one generation from May to July.

Yellow-banded Skipper

Shrikes along Struma river valley

Posted by Rossen


Shrikes are passerine birds of the family Laniidae.They are medium-sized birds, with grey, brown, red or black and white plumage. Their beaks are hooked, like that of a bird of prey, reflecting their predatory nature, and their calls are strident.Shrikes breeds in open cultivated country, preferably with orchard trees and some bare or sandy ground.The Shrikes on the Struma river valley are represented by five species: Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator), Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) and Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) which is widespread and Masked Shrike ( Lanius nubicus) with limited distribution south of Kresna gorge. In winter is meeting and one northern migrant - The Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor) rare bird listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria.

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Black Kite new species in bird list of Blagoevgrad wetlands

Posted by Rossen


In early May observed two migrating Black Kites (Milvus migrans) over Blagoevgrad wetlands. One of them use the site to catch fish and then the birds headed toward Oranovo gorge. This is the first observation of this species in the wetlands near Blagoevgrad, as the total number of raptors recorded here going on 18.

Black Kite