The Wallcreeper has always been a dream-bird for many birdwatchers. The program, as specified below, gives more than just perfect chances to spot it as we will take you to their breeding grounds in probably the most famous place in Europe for watching Wallcreepers – the Trigrad Gorge. The vertical cliffs here are a real ordeal for a birder’s neck, but normally the result we get is a smile and satisfaction. The program is flexible and depending on your arrival time it can be changed accordingly so that you will be able to visit some other places of interest and add more interesting birds to your list. Do not miss the chance to get the best 4-day birding you have ever made!
This program is completely flexible as made for people tied to time: some birders normally extended it with an extra day (or two), which allows them to add the Eastern Rodopi Mountains to the itinerary, meaning that you will be able to spot also Egyptian, Black and Griffon vultures, Black Stork, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Olive-tree Warbler, Sombre Tit etc. Also depending on your flight schedule a visit to Dragoman Marsh could also be included in the program, for observations of Bittern, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Ferruginous Duck etc. Please ask for details.
The tour can also include late afternoon/evening Brown bear observations. Check the following LINK for more details.
Day 1. Welcome meeting at Sofia Airport and transfer to a 3-star family hotel or a guesthouse by Trigrad Gorge (appr. 3,30-4hrs transfer time). If you manage to arrive earlier some time could be spent on birding en-route in the area of the top birding spot – the Besaparski Hills. They are situated in immediate proximity to some deep and inaccessible gorges of Rhodope Mountains, where several raptors breed, and feed on the steppe slopes of the hills. Alternatively, we will visit that place on the way back during Day 2.
Highlights of the day (in case of an early arrival): Long-legged Buzzard, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, Common Crossbill, Red-rumped Swallow, Firecrest, Crag Martin, Calandra Lark, Short-toed Lark, Black-headed Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, Nutcracker etc.
Day 2. Wallcreeper quest in Trigrad Gorge. If not rainy, the chance of spotting the elusive bird is approximately 100%. Around noon, which is normally the deadline for the appearance of Wallcrepers, we continue to Plovdiv, where we stay for overnight. Depending on the weather and the time spent in searching the Wallcreeper we continue to Maritsa River to watch other species.
Highlights of the day: Wallcreeper, Black Stork, Long-legged Buzzard, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Roller, Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Pallid Swift, Common Crossbill, Syrian Woodpecker, Red-rumped Swallow, Crag Martin, Calandra Lark, Short-toed Lark, Black-headed Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Masked Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Spanish Sparrow, Golden Oriole, Olivaceous Warbler etc.
Day 3. Depending on your flight time (or business plans) and the result after the observations along Maritsa River on Day 2 – transfer to Sofia Airport for departure or more birding in the area.
Accommodation: Family-run hotels with en-suite single/double rooms on a B&B basis.
Price:
€ 450 per person for 1 person;
€ 280 per person for 2 or more;
Single room supplement: € 35
Best period: May-June
The price includes: transfers from/to Sofia Airport and throughout the whole journey; English-speaking guide/driver; accommodation and boarding as mentioned; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses, entrance fees for caves, other meals.
