What a month we've had

Sorry to you all, especially Colin but we've been so busy lately with birding, guests, a trip back to UK and organising the next waste collection day, that we haven't had time to post. So here's a round up of the last few weeks:

We spent a fantastic 4 days on the NE coast around Shabla, Durankulak, Albena and Kaliakra (see pic), and saw great numbers of many species including Paddyfield Warbler, Pied Wheatear, Golden Oriole (2 flew alongside the car for 2 km, thoughtfully flitting from side to side so we could both get a great view). We met a nice bunch of birders from Bridlington at Durankulak and later in the day at Kaliakra, where we had reports of Rock Thrush, Shearwater Black-Necked Grebe and Dolphins from a Belgian group.

Back to Srebarna where our first official paying guest at the B&B, Brian from Dudley, recorded 4 birds for his life list. He was 'over the Moon'. Brians enthusiasm quickly spread to me and I felt like I was seeing the Reserve with fresh eyes. Brian left on the 'Buzz' to Varna with a smile on his face. (Hope you don't object to the 'Buzz' joke Brian).

Our next guest Lee, decided to stay an extra day as the Birding was so good. He was a mine of information about insect life and loads of other things and kindly shared his knowledge and friendship with us. Thanks Lee.

Here's our list from Srebarna for the past month:

Red-Necked Grebe, Dalmatian Pelican, Cormorant, Pygmy Cormorant, Bittern, Little Bittern, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill,

Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveller, Teal, Garganey, Pochard, Ferruginious Duck,

White-Tailed Eagle, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Levant Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Kestrel, Red-Footed Falcon, Hobby,

Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-Headed Gull, Yellow-Legged Gull, Black Tern, Whiskered Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo (Grey and Rufous), Little Owl, Nightjar, Swift, Alpine Swift, Hoopoe, Kingfisher, Bee-Eater, Roller,

Green Woodpecker, Grey-Headed Woodpecker, Great-Spotted Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, White-Backed Woodpecker,

Skylark, Crested Lark, Calandra Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Nightingale, Thrush Nightingale, Redstart, Wheatear, Stonechat, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, River Warbler, Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Penduline Tit,

Red-Backed Shrike, Lesser Grey-Shrike, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion/Hooded Crow, Starling, Rose-Coloured Starling, Golden Oriole, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Serin, Hawfinch, Ortolan Bunting, Yellowhammer, and one or two more that managed to keep one step ahead of us.