Photographs of today's release

Success story

Srebarna Birding Field Station
Hi, all birds successfully released by Green Balkans today and a good attendance with many other organisations represented.

The 2 White Pelicans immediately set up residence close to one of the Dalmatian Pelican sites and seemed to be getting on fine with the new neighbours.

The Swans (4) as it turned out headed straight for the middle of the reserve.

Pics to follow once Jerry who understands our new camera returns

Srebarna Birding Field Station

Srebarna Birding Field Station
The Pelican colony was adversely affected by the recent bad weather. Some of the breeding site reedbeds were blown much closer to the village. The impact of this on this and subsequent years populations can only be assessed after the breeding season is over. Meanwhile we have increased sightings of many other species. Garganey, Great Crested Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Herons, Egrets et al. Tomorrow the good people from Green Balkans, a conservation NGO, are visiting to release 3 Pelicans , 2 Swans and a Grey Heron from thier rehab centre.

Srebarna Birding Field Station

Srebarna Birding Field Station
Hi, sorry for not updating for a while but we have had major internet connection problems here. Hopefully everything is OK now.

Spring is speading its wings over the reserve and we have recorded many new arrivals over the last weeks.
We now have healthy populations of Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Egret, Ferrugnious Duck and others.
Jerry saw White Stork in a nearby town today (so she can discard her Martinitsas).
I saw Hoopoe today close to the lake and increasing numbers of many other species.

The high winds and water levels are having a profound effect on the Pelican Colony and we will have to wait and see how this effects their long term viability.

We continue to persue our desire to establish a Volunteer Programme here and look forward to positive meetings with The Ministry of Environment and Water & 'Green Balkans' a local NGO.

Afternoon stroll

Srebarna Birding Field Station

Great afternoon, it must have been a combination of temperature of -1 and some cloud cover that led to my seeing the following;

Marsh Harrier (2)
Hen Harrier (2)
Lesser Spotted Eagle

along with;

Yellow Wagtail(dombrowskii)
Robin
Coal Tit.

All in all a good days birding.
More news soon

Srebarna Birding Field Station

Fantastic time out on the reserve this morning.
We now have around 80-90 Dalamatian Pelicans,
and we also saw 8 White Pelicans in flight!
Very close viewings, only 20-25 metres away!

Fieldfare(20)
Stonechat
Redstart
Song Thrush
Haw Finch(7)
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Grey Heron(5)
Great Crested Grebe
Pygmy Cormorant(30)
Cormorant(20)
Mute Swan(9)
Greylag Goose(6)
Plus Mallard, Pochard, White Headed Duck and others.

Going back out this pm.
Happy International Womens Day

Srebarna Birding Field Station

Today Bulgaria celebrates 'Treti Mart' independence day.

I celebrated by seeing:

White tailed Eagle
Goshawk
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Marsh Harrier
Redwing(12)
Stonechat
Grey Heron(8)
and others.

Srebarna Birding Field Station

Srebarna Birding Field Station
Hi, around 50 Dalmatian Pelicans now resident here despite the recent cold snap and accompanying snow. We've just celebrated the coming Spring in the village with 'Baba Marta Day'. Our house is now festooned with Red and White.

I spent some time on the reserve today and recorded

The usual suspects and the following;

Brambling (50-60)
Sparrowhawk
Firecrest
Dalmatian Pelican (50)
Little Egret (40)
Little Owl

Jackal (Canis Aureus) right outside the guesthouse!!

More news soon