Today's walk

We have a small group of visitors from the UK who went out with us on the reserve this morning. As the temperature is now averaging 24 degrees mornings and late afternoons give the best sightings. Today's morning walk was no exception with great views of;
Golden Oriole, Bee-eater, Spoonbill, Roller, Glossy Ibis, Great Crested Grebe and chicks, Pygmy Cormorant, two pairs of Little Bittern in flight, Night Heron, Cuckoo and many Red-backed Shrike.

There were many Butterflies, Lizards, Toads and Freshwater Turtles on route as well as, of course, many Dalmatian Pelicans and their young.

High water levels and weather conditions mean that parts of the Pelican colony are still moving around the lake.

Yesterday we watched another small reed bed island (see pic) with 8-10 birds on it, travelling across from it's usual place to the area just below the Museum. Other parts of the colony which have moved to various locations on the reserve, appear to be breeding successfully as young are present on all 5 sites.

A walk around Garvan Marsh

Approximately 10km East of Srebarna is the quiet village of Garvan with a beautiful hidden marsh.

Some great sightings today of Cuckoo, though too fast for the camera!
20 Red-footed Falcon, Ruddy Shelduck, Roller, Red backed-Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike and one solitary Lapwing!
Some beautiful wild flowers too.

Operation Plastic 2 (The Sequel)

Couple more photos and also to tell you that we hope to have a second day of clearing on 24th June, just before 'International Danube Day'. We're working with local colleges and an NGO in Silistra 'World For All'. More news to follow.

Operation Plastic

Here's a few photos from the day we cleared over 2 tonnes of plastic and other waste from the edge of the Reserve. The water level was so high we were able to collect trash from the flooded areas around the village, that would have otherwise made it's way into the Lake when the waters recede.

The mayor brought 20 workers from nearby Silistra and 40 local volunteers turned up from Srebarna. Including Toshi Izawa (J.I.C.A.) who first thought of the idea of having a clearance program to deal with waste. (Thank you also Toshi for the photos).