Srebarna Birding Field Station

Srebarna Birding Field Station

Hi all, I've just noticed that I haven't added anything here for over 2 weeks!
We have been back in the UK for a while.

We organised a clearance of plastic waste from the edge of the Reserve on 16th April and around 60 people turned up to help out, we removed over 2 tonnes of trash. We plan to repeat this activity twice annually, lets hope the enthusiasm of our assistants remains high.

Back to birds now, I was out for 3 hours yesterday and along with the usual suspects (blog passim) I saw Kingfisher, Roller, Cuckoo(the closest sighting I've ever had of this one), Hoopoe, Purple Heron, Spoonbill Gargarney, Teal, nesting Great Crested Grebe, Ferruginious Duck, Pochard, Egret, Blackcap and others.

I'm happy to report that despite the recent weather related problems the Pelicans are breeding and we saw young birds on the nest.

The water level is still very high but is due to begin to drop over the next few days.

More to follow including Pics of the waste collection, bye for now.

Forest Walk

Yesterday we had the pleasure of a 6 hour walk through the forest close to the village.
The wild flowers were in bloom, in particular the beautiful Violets.

Stopping to drink at a fresh spring we got a good view of a Hoopoe ( Upupa epops), though it did not stay long enough for a photo. We also caught a glimps of a Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) as it flew from the ground into the trees.

Wild mushrooms including (Aleuria aurantia) were dotted on the ground. I took a photo of another one which I could not identify. Can anyone help?