Destinations
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Bulgaria 3 – 12 June 2010
Wallcreepers and wetlands
Few countries can rival Bulgaria’s scenic splendour and diverse nature. Alpine mountains, rivers with spectacular canyons, vast meadows and forests contrast with coastal wetlands and sandy beaches.
Bulgaria’s geographic position in the southeastern corner of the Balkan peninsular and the wide range of habitats ensure outstanding wildlife diversity. The higher plants number about 3,500 species and include more than 400 Bulgarian and Balkan endemics and nearly 70 species of orchids. Bulgaria boasts the richest dragonfly and butterfly fauna in Europe. The country’s most valuable natural features are protected in three national parks, twelve nature parks and numerous wildlife and nature refuges.
With about 410 bird species, Bulgaria has something to offer birdwatchers during all seasons, 340 of these seen in the wetlands around Bourgas. Many of these are eastern species including Levant sparrowhawk, Syrian woodpecker, masked shrike and black-headed bunting. Other favourites, almost everywhere in the lowlands, are roller, bee-eater, hoopoe and ortolan bunting and many white stork nests.
The cultural heritage and traditions of the country include magnificent architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries in many towns and villages. Ancient icons, breath-taking murals and superb woodcarvings preserved in monasteries and churches, form just a part of the religious, historic and cultural wealth. Other traditions include the tasty Bulgarian cuisine and good local wines!
This natural history holiday explores two beautiful, biodiversity-rich landscapes: the Rhodope Mountains and the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
Black-headed bunting (Chavdar Nikolov)
