Summary

We had a very small group on the trip this year but it turned out as successful as in the previous years. The bird watching was very rewarding and enjoyable and the participants to the tour most pleasant. As planned we visited a multitude of habitats from the lowlands of Dobrogea and the waterways of the Danube Delta, to the high areas of the Transylvanian Alps.

Day 1 Saturday 29th May

The BA flight landed on time and soon after this we were on our way but not for long because on the Bucharest ring road we spotted four Rollers perched on the electricity wire. A common sight in the next few days but not for now, so we had to admire them.
Next stop was on the side of the road at Lake Plevna just outside the village of Stefanesti. Here our first Night Herons, Lesser Grey Shrike, Great Reed Warbler and our first mammal, European Souslik, were on the far bank but still offered us good views.
Drinks stop finally and we got out of the minibus aiming for the tables nearby but we were stopped suddenly by an unidentified tapping in the trees that turned out to be a Syrian Woodpecker in plain view and kind enough to show off a bit for us. Barn Swallows were flying around and in the small fountain next to our table a Lesser Whitethroat was bathing. Back on the minibus again and a last pause was just outside Calarasi at the nearby ponds where we spotted Ferruginous and Pochard Ducks, Whiskered Terns, and Black-headed Yellow Wagtail (Feldegg subspecies). Just as everybody was ready to go we saw a pair of Golden Orioles a bit shy but eventually in good view.
Dinner was served by the helpful but not very quick staff at our hotel However it was excellent and allowed us to concentrate on the bird list which was not long but we realised it’s just the beginning.

Day 2 Sunday 30th May

We started the morning with a pre-breakfast walk in the park next door to the hotel, along Danube’s Borcea channel. First we could make a good comparison between Yellow-legged Gull and Caspian Gull both species being on the shore of the channel. The two species being so closely related are difficult to separate so it was a good exercise. Soon we were called away by an obliging Red-backed Shrike, and eventually we reached the beginning of the poplar alley were Green and Syrian Woodpeckers were revealed and we heard Thrush and Common Nightingale. Those two proved to be difficult to find and only the Thrush Nightingale showed itself in the end. A Black Woodpecker was heard in the same place but in the distance and on the way to breakfast we saw on top of a chimney a Black Redstart. A Hoopoe flew by when we were really going for the cheese omelettes.
After breakfast we departed and our first stop was at Calarasi Ponds where between all the Pochard and Ferruginous Ducks as well as Whiskered Terns we were invaded by Little Bitterns flying around (at some point they managed to outnumber even the omnipresent Cuckoos). Going to the next pond we spotted our first Black Necked Grebe and a Purple Heron that waited for us to put our scopes on him even though he was only 40m away. In the ditch between the ponds we discovered a Muskrat and two Pond Terrapins, not to mention the three Little Bitterns that were flying along it. On the third pond we saw three Black Terns and later along the Danube channel a couple of White-winged Black Terns plus our first Mute Swan and Little Egret. Leaving the ponds behind with some sorrow we had to proceed on our way and were lucky enough to get on the ferry straight away. Soon we were meters away from the Bulgarian border near the blocks of flats on the edge of the town of Silistra. We were driving away from Bulgarian when Steve shouted “Bee-eaters” and we discovered a small colony of them and just as we were trying to find an elusive Red-backed Shrike a Saker crossed the road mobbed by a Hooded Crow. The incident made us all shout, at the same time, and gave us a short but good view of the birds. After that interlude our next stop was at Lake Bugeac where we had the surprise to find a Black Necked Grebe nest with three chicks, Little Grebe and Ruddy Shelduck. We also had to pause for a large flock of White Pelicans and amongst them four Dalmatian Pelicans.
We eventually reached Canaraua Fetei a rich area with forest and crags and whilst Tudor prepared a well-deserved picnic lunch, a Turtle Dove looked at us from a nearby electricity wire and in a puddle next to our minibus Steve discovered a Black-headed Bunting bathing. After lunch we headed to the forest but the good stuff appeared on the way back to the tarmac road: Red-rumped Swallow, Short-toed Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard. Dodging rain we departed (only to stop almost immediately for a Honey Buzzard) when Costi our driver pointed out with the Romanian equivalent of “What’s that!” and we saw a female Goshawk that displayed for us for 5 minutes.
Next was the planned stop at the Adamclisi, the Roman Ruins, were Crested Larks and Northern Wheatears where everywhere but the rain that came in decided that is time for us to go to our accommodation for the night at the Pirates Inn.




Day 3 Monday 31st May

We met at six thirty just outside our bungalows to have a short drive to the Navodari Refinery Ponds. This proved an excellent birding point in spite of the rain that accompanied us almost from the beginning. Star bird’s here were Paddyfield Warbler, Shoveler and six Black Terns that flew very close to our heads.
During a nice breakfast away from the very heavy rain (Tudor was accused by the friendly staff at Pirates Inn that he left the taps open up there) Anne managed to see two very wet looking Black Redstarts and it felt really good to see them from our comfortable chairs and without leaving the nice hot cups of coffee or tea in our hands.
After breakfast we headed to Histria in heavy rain but the moment it stopped we managed to see six Red-footed Falcons catching insects and hovering first further away from us and then closer; we had two males, one female and three young ones. From that moment we never managed to drive more than half a mile without somebody shouting, “STOP!”. First a single Dalmatian Pelican, then a Great Reed Warbler on the side of the road, Black Headed Yellow Wagtail, a huge flock of White Pelicans on the ground with Dalmatians on the right side offering a good comparison and Mute Swans to the left. Then a few Red-crested Pochards made us shout at the same time and looking at them we realised that on the area of ground between us and the Red-crested Pochards, Collared Pratincoles were nesting and mating (as Anne noticed) and we had a flight display a couple of minutes later. Just before lunch we visited the old Greek and Roman ruins were we realised that one of the rocks on top of the old wall was a Little Owl. Eventually we managed to reach the small café where we had lunch accompanied by an excellent mulled wine which that made the rain outside more bearable.
At Histria we were disappointed by the lack of waders (due to high waters even Black Winged Stilts were up to their belly in water) as only Kentish, Ringed, Little Ringed Plovers and five Little Stints were there but not much else else.
Departing Histria we headed to Cheia Dobrogea but even before we reached the crossroads we stopped for a large flock of White Pelicans and spotted two Peregrine Falcons, then we saw three Red- footed Falcons, Black Kite, and one Isabeline Wheatear. At the next stop just outside the village of Gura Dobrogea we had our surprise bird of the day: Rose-coloured Starling shortly followed by Short- toed Lark, a couple of Isabeline Wheatears and another Black Kite displaying for us. Calandra Larks were hopping in front of our minibus, one of them deciding to let us see it from every angle and then flying off only to stop 20m away in the middle of the road.
Last stop was Cheia Dobrogea Gorge and here the delights were half a dozen Pied Wheatears and a female Eastern Black-eared Wheatear plus a Stonechat. Rain started again so we decided to head back but we had to pause for a male Pheasant (rare sight in Romania compared to U.K.).
We reached the hotel and because the rain stopped we had a stroll on the beach to see the Black Sea up close and personal and we were rewarded with approximately 500 Yellow Legged Gulls and Common Terns. The last bird was an Olivaceous Warbler discovered by Judy and the tour leader after a bit of jungle type walk, listening for it and hitting ourselves all the time because of the mosquitoes.
The evening ended with a fantastic dinner accompanied by a Romanian Folk band and dancing.

Day 4 Tuesday 1st June

We met at quarter past seven (a lie-in) for a short walk around our bungalows and on the beach. The morning surprise was another Olivaceous Warbler that revealed itself to everybody without a lot of fuss or mosquitoes involved.
After a nice breakfast we boarded our minibus and Costi drove us to have another look at the Navodari Refinery Ponds where the surprise was another Paddyfield Warbler. As we were ready to go and on the bus Anne shouted “Stop” for a Little Bittern just on the bank, not very far hiding in the reeds. When we opened the minibus door something flew away only to stop two poles further down and it turned out to be a Little Owl that gave us good views.
We then headed to Vadu and before reaching it we stopped for a large flock of pelicans about a couple of hundred meters away and a nice Montagu’s Harrier that was soaring low, close to the ground. Another stop for four Red-footed Falcons revealed some nice Spanish Sparrows and when we checked some pools on the side of the road two Red-Necked Phalarope were discovered. On the other side of the road, in the reeds, we found a Savi’s Warbler plus a pair of Marsh Harriers were displaying in the distance. We went on to look at the ponds and first we saw Little Tern, Black-Headed Gull, Little Gull, and then Judy pointed out to us a Sandwich Tern that was nesting there. We left Vadu with the belief that there are so many things that we didn’t see but we had to go.
Next stop was Babadag Forest where whilst lunch was prepared we roamed about and admired the rich flora and reptilian fauna of the area. After lunch another short stroll in the forest for some avifauna but everything was still except a Magpie. Discouraged we headed back and when we were close to our minibus we spotted a movement on top of a tree, which turned out to be Sombre Tit. Everybody saw the individual after a longish pursuit.
Last stop was Enisala were star birds were six Golden Orioles and a Short-toed Eagle that was kind enough to soar in the same spot giving us 15 minutes in our scopes.
At the end of a fulfilling day we had a nice dinner in Restaurant Select in Tulcea, with a couple of noticeable add-ins for our list.




Day 5 Wednesday 2nd June

The day started a bit later with a 07.30 breakfast followed by a drive to Lake Memelegiu for our first Squacco Heron, Great Egret and Pygmy Cormorant. Next was Lake Somova with a couple of hundred Mute Swans, Black-Headed Gulls, and Great Crested Grebes. On the way back Anne told us about the noiseless unidentified birds she saw in a barn and we decided to check them out. That revealed two Little Owl chicks, very well camouflaged on the barn floor. Later, after a couple of photos, we saw the parent flying away.
Next stop was for a Tree Pipit, which we found in a vineyard and after a few drills of getting in and out of the bus we managed to identify a Sparrowhawk. Reaching the scenic Celic Dere Monastery we allowed ourselves to admire a couple of Nuthatches and a semi-obliging Hawfinch. We made our way to Saratura Lake at Murighiol where the only breading colony of Mediterranean Gull in Romania is located. We had lunch there, in the van, trying to ditch the rain and when it finally stopped time allowed us another 30 minutes of birding. We found Red-crested Pochards and Black-necked Grebes.
After Saratura Lake we rushed to Mahmudia to board the ferry that took us to Sfantu Gheorghe village (Saint George), along the Danube’s Sfantu Ghoerghe Channel. The trip took almost 3 hours and was every birders delight because it revealed the first Kingfisher of the trip, a Dark Phase Booted Eagle and two White-tailed Eagles perched in a dead tree on the side of the channel. Also a large number of Marsh Harriers and Hobbies (as Steve put it –“I saw more Hobbies in the last 2 hours than in my whole life”) and mammals like Roe Deer and Fox.
Reaching Sf. Ghoerghe village we were greeted by our host and we left our luggage to be delivered by horse and cart whilst we made our way to the accommodation. After we settled in we had a late afternoon walk on the dyke behind the village, walk that revealed a large variety of birds. I must mention a spectacular family of Red-footed Falcons that was catching insects on the meadow and the Black-winged Stilt chicks.
In the evening Tudor met Adnana a teacher running the local Kids Ornithological Club and we increased their dowry with 16 binoculars and a telescope all of them donated by the Bristol Ornithological Society.
A tiring but rewarding day, finished by a nice dinner with lots of fish (it’s Danube Delta afterall) and a long list of birds to tick.

Day 6 Thursday 3rd June

We met up for an early breakfast and soon we were on the boat along Turceasca channel towards Sacalin Island accompanied by Night, Squacco, Grey Herons, Little Egret, Cuckoos and we definitely have to mention the 20 Marsh Harriers and 16 Hobbies. We reached the rich bird area of Sacalin Island and we had no doubt about it when we saw the waters around us teeming with more than 300 pelicans and at least the same numbers of Mute Swans, Cormorants and Pygmy Cormorants. After about 50m of wading through the shallow waters we reached the island and set up our telescopes to discover at least 50 Sandwich Terns on the shore. Everybody turned at Judy’s shout when she saw more than 100 Black-tailed Godwit with a couple of Curlew amidst them. Then we discovered a White-tailed Eagle followed by a Marsh Harrier, very close, and a Little Plover. Two more White- tailed Eagles were discovered to the north and then, suddenly, the leader shouted Imperial Eagle and the bird was kind enough to display for us for more than 5 minutes at close range. Eventually we decide to call it the bird of the day but it was not the last surprise because as Steve was checking a flock of terns he spotted a Caspian Tern with the characteristic huge red bill.
That discovery concluded the morning and we headed back on Turceasca Channel with its richness in herons, Hobbies and Cuckoos.
After an excellent lunch and a short siesta we went for a short walk around the village to the nearby forest and we were rewarded with a pair of Red-footed Falcons and a pair of Stone Curlews that made our day. A Golden Oriole was singing and we managed to have a glimpse of them and on the way back we found a Spur-thighed Tortoise. Steve had a long wait for the tortoise to come out of its shell to allow him to take a few pictures.
A bit tired we strolled back for dinner (feeling that we deserve it) and for a commendable list.

Day 7 Friday 4th June

We had a very early start because our ferry was due to leave at 6 am, but that was rewarded a bit later by the sighting of four White-tailed Eagles at close quarters (we took pictures) perched and flying.
We reached Mahmudia, got on the minibus and were on our way towards the mountains with the first stop at Babadag Forest where we had good views of Great and Middle-spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Warbler, and our first Robin of the trip (in Romania Robins are mainly deep forest birds that are not so easily spotted as in UK). After lunch we headed towards Sinaia with a couple of stops at Lake Fundata and Lake Rodeanu where we found large numbers of Avocets, Shelduck, and Black-headed Gulls.
We made it to our idyllic hotel, close to Peles Castle grounds, in time for a well deserved dinner, a good list considering that this was a transfer day and a good night’s sleep.

Day 8 Saturday 5th June

After a lie-in we met up at 7 for the morning walk and we headed for the Peles Castle Gardens. The Castle was the residence of Carol I of the Hohenzolern-Sigmarinen family and today is a museum. The complex habitat offered by the Castle’s park at the edge of the Carpathian forests offered a variety of birds including Song and Mistle Thrush, our first Marsh Tit, another glimpse of a Eurasian Sparowhawk, Grey Wagtail and so on.
After breakfast we headed for the mountains in the bleak day with a very low cloud ceiling but fortunately we managed to avoid the rain. En route we stopped briefly to admire a couple of Ravens in a meadow. And a bit later a Water Pipit that stayed perched on a treetop for us. Ring Ouzel on a different treetop was another treat even if it was brief, but later we managed to get good views of a male and a female. Other goodies of the morning were a male Bullfinch just on the side of the road and Crossbills in a tree very close by, which allowed us to study the peculiar bill shape.
Later on in Cheile Tatarului during our attempt to find Wallcreeper, we saw a Dipper and few Grey Wags flying around. Our quest for Wallcreeper left us with sore necks and shoulders (and a high pulse rate when a Black Redstart decided to fly Wallcreeper style on the same rock face were the tour leader had it the previous weeks). This is the first time in 9 years that we have missed Wallcreeper.
We headed back on the potholed forestry track that put Costi’s skill as a driver to the test, stopped briefly for some good views of a Ring Ouzel and a bit later to try to find a tantalising Goldcrest that everybody heard but nobody managed to see. After an excellent meal washed down with a couple of bottles of Murfatlar Merlot we were ready to go in quest of the largest carnivore of the Carpathians, the European Brown Bear, in a very unlikely location on the outskirts of Brasov. Some of the streets of this fairly large city are next to the forest and the bears are coming to the rubbish skips to use human leftovers, in a very selective manner, as a food supplement. They are omnivorous and highly opportunistic feeders so what we throw away are a welcomed addition to their diet.
Reaching the outskirts of Brasov we managed to see our first bear in approximately 5 minutes, but the highlight of the evening were the two females with 2 and respectively 3 cubs each. Cubs were approximately 5 months old. Back in Sinaia we all seek refuge in our welcoming beds because by the time we reached them it was already 1 am.

Day 9 Sunday 6th June

We had a later start due to the fact that we went to bed so late and after a short walk through the Castle grounds we managed to see an excellent male Red-breasted Flycatcher that gave us good views.
After breakfast we made our way into Transylvania, to Barsa Land, a flat area surrounded by mountains and Tudor’s home ground. First stop was Zarnesti Gorge for another try to find the elusive Wallcreeper, which unfortunately stayed elusive. Again a Black Redstart was a source of emotion and disappointment. The morning highlight was a Yellow-bellied Toad caught by the leader in a puddle near the road (Yellow-bellied Toad is an alpine species unlike what we had in the Delta, the Fire- bellied Toad).
In the afternoon we went to Rasnov Citadel an excellent Raptor view point that offered us only a couple of Linnets as raptors were grounded by the weather.
En route to Mai Forest we stopped first for a Common Buzzard perched on a post and later for a Lesser-spotted Eagle perched in the same manner (so it was close to being overlooked by the leader but eventually we stopped) when a cry came out “Lesser-spotted Eagle”.
Mai forest and orchard were delightful. The first thing we saw as we were getting out of the minibus was a Yellowhammer and then a Whinchat chasing a White Wagtail. The stars of the area were eight Great-Spotted Woodpeckers that displayed around us, offering a fantastic views.
Heading back to Sinaia we thought an accident must have taken place because of the number of cars stopped in the middle of the road. We soon realised that responsible for the mayhem were two bears 3-4 years old probably, which decided that people coming back from their Sunday picnics are a much better source of food than the surrounding forest. They were not wrong quite a few people contributed to the bears dinner with picnic leftovers.
We reached Sinaia and met up later for a fantastic dinner accompanied by the excellent local folk music band with their accordion, cimbalom, violin and cello.

Day 10 Monday 7th June

We met up for our last pre-breakfast walk and we decided to try to find again the Red- breasted Flycatcher that was missed the previous morning by Steve and Anne. We tried but unfortunately we couldn’t find it but instead a Collared Flycatcher showed up briefly so we were happy.
After breakfast we all decided that the ladies needed a bit of retail therapy so we stopped briefly in the centre of Sinaia for shopping. Next stop was on the side of the road for some honey and then a bit of birding from the minibus at Lake Tancabesti. Here we found three Little Bitterns, Whiskered Tern, Great Reed Warbler and Little Grebe. Before reaching the airport we stopped for the last call of our bird list and then sadly we had to say goodbye.

Accommodation

Accommodation was just as described in the tour information. The only place we stayed where we did not have prime habitat right on our doorstep was the one night in Tulcea.

Transport

All journeys were undertaken in a Ford Transit 14-seat minibus, driven by an experienced Romanian driver called Costi.

Species List

The tour was not planned or operated as being in quest of a long species list – rather as a well-balanced wildlife tour with the emphasis on bird watching, maximising time in the field and minimising travelling time. This considered, a list of 181 species seen and 5 heard that are not included in the count, by at least some members of the group is very good for a Western Palearctic tour.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Seen at Calarasi fishponds and the last day at Lake Tancabesti.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Seen at Calarasi fishponds and in the Danube Delta.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Good views at Calarasi fishponds, Lake Bugeac and Lake Saratura, near Murighiol

Great Cormorant Phalacracorax carbo
Seen in considerable numbers on most days in lowlands

Pygmy Cormorant Phalacracorax pygmaeus
Good views in the Danube Delta

White Pelican Pelecanus onocratalus
Excellent views in almost everyday in large flocks and Delta (where an estimated 300+ birds were settled near Sahalin Island) and nearby

Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus
Single birds and pairs seen at close quarters starting with Bugeac Lake and in the Delta, over Histria and Vadu

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
Good views of single birds in reedbeds quite often in large numbers in one spot– eg at Calarasi wetlands, also in the Delta

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Seen in reedbed areas – an amazing density on the Turceasca channel near Sfantu Gheorghe

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
A handful seen in the Delta and on Lake Siutghiol

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Abundant in most wetland areas

Great White Egret Egretta alba
Seen in the Danube Delta only – excellent view along the banks small numbers(2) in Histria and Enisala

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Seen daily in all wetland areas

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Seen at Lake Bugeac, Vadu, Histria, in the Delta

White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Nests in almost every village passed, with nestlings’ heads showing above the rim of the nest

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Memorable close views in the Delta, of small parties feeding in clearings among vegetation

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Seen at Vadu and Histria

Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Seen most days, often in parties – eg 300+ at Sacalin Island

Greylag Goose Anser anser
Seen at Histria and Enisala

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Three pairs at Lake Bugeac and 2 at Histria

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Good views at Vadu, Histria and in the Delta

Wigeon Anas penelope
One bird at Calarasi fish ponds

Gadwall Anas strepera
Seen at Navodari Refinery vadu and Histria

Mallard Anas platyrhyncos
Regularly seen, though by no means the commonest duck.

Garganey Anas querquedula
Very common; some males starting to show signs of eclipse plumage

Shoveler Anas clypeata
Single bird at Navodari Refinery

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
Excellent views at Histria, where we had more than15 and Lake Saratura and Sacalin Island

Pochard Aythya ferina
Common in Dobrogea wetlands

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca
Pairs regularly seen in all areas of water

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus
Good views over Canaraua Fetei and en route to Constanta

White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
Seen perched a pair in a low willow on the way down to Sfantu Gheorghe, three at Sacalin Island, and four on the way back to Mahmudia

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus
Seen at Canaraua Fetei, en route and a very good one at Enisala

Black Kite Milvus migrans
Seen en route close to Tariverde

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Good views in the Delta and in other wetland areas

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus
Brief, one at Vadu.

Goshawk Accipiter gentiles
One at Baneasa en route to Constanta

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Seen at Celic Dere Monastery and Sinaia

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
The most widespread raptor seen – inland and in Dobrogea, though not in the Delta. One individual of the Buteo buteo vulpinus “Steppe Buzzard” race was seen when in the vicinity of Cheia Dobrogea. It was distinguishable by his rufous unbarred tail

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus
Excellent views over Canaraua Fetei

Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
Fantastic view at Sacalin Island close and stayed to be admired

Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina
Well seen, flying and perched near the village of Vulcan in Transylvania

Booted Eagle Hieraeetus pennatus
One dark phase bird over Sfantu Gheorghe arm of the Danube from the ferry

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Common and widespread – seen in the mountains and in Dobrogea

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
Seen most days in Dobrogea

Hobby Falco subbuteo
Wonderful views in the Delta

Peregrine Falco peregrinus
Brief views of two juveniles at Histria.

Common Partridge Perdix perdix
One at Bugeac Lake thanks to Costi

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Seen commonly, especially in the Delta

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Seen in several wetland areas

Common Coot Fulica atra
Common on all open freshwater areas

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Enjoyably common and vocal in most wetland areas

Avocet Recurvirostra avosettta
Good views at Calarasi fishponds and most wetland areas in Dobrogea; chicks were seen, eg. at Vadu

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus
Well seen at Sfantu Gheorghe

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
Excellent views, both flying and perched at Vadu, and Histria

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Seen at Vadu, Histria and Sacalin Island

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Well seen at Histria and Vadu

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Well seen at Histria and Vadu

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Common in wetland areas – eg Lake Bugeac and Enisala

Little Stint Calidris minuta
Seen in open areas of wetland, with a maximum of c. 20 at Vadu

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii
One bird at Sacalin Island

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Handfuls only at Vadu and Sacalin Island

Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Two at Sfantu Gheorghe; the main passage had passed through

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Excelent views at Vadu were two of them displayed for us.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
More than a hundred in the lagoon behind Sahalin Island, all in fine breeding plumage

Curlew Numenius arquata
Seen on Sahalin Island

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
One at Lake Saratura

Redshank Tringa totanus
Especially common and vocal at Vadu

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Six of them seen at Vadu

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
One en route to Tulcea

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Good views at Lake Saratura – Romania’s only breeding colony

Little Gull Larus minutus
Wonderful views at Vadu, where there was a flock of year-old birds


Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Widespread on wetlands everywhere

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
Very common in Dobrogea, especially on Mamaia-Sat beach, where there was a roost of more than a thousand

Caspian Gull Larus cacchinnans
Good numbers seen in the Danube Delta

Caspian Tern Hydropogne tshegrava
Seen one at Sacalin Island

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
More than 30 on Sahalin Island

Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Well seen everywhere was a wetland not as common as Whiskered

Little Tern Sterna albifrons
Several pairs seen at the breeding colony at Vadu, Histria

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
Seen over most wetlands

Black Tern Chlidonias nigra
Good views at Calarasi fishponds and Navodari Refinery

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Seen three at Calarasi Fish Ponds.

Feral Pigeon Columba livia
Abundant everywhere

Stock Dove Columba oenas
Seen at Cheia Dobrogea

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus
Seen in the Delta

Collared Dove Streptopalia decoacto
Abundant everywhere near settlements

Turtle Dove Streptopalia turtur
Good views in Dobrogea – eg. Canaraua Fetei

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Almost ubiquitous – remarkably common

Little Owl Athene noctua
Excellent views on several days –Remarcable the chics seen very close at Somova

Swift Apus apus
Seen over towns – eg. Calarasi,

Alpine Swift Apus melba
Seen briefly close to the town of Rasnov.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Seen in the Delta

Bee-Eater Merops apiaster
A number of small colonies seen the best being the one close to Tulcea; in all, seen every day except when high in the mountains

Roller Coracias garrulus
Frequently encountered on wires and perched in willows in the Delta, all over Dobrogea;

Hoopoe Upupa epops
Very common seen daily in Dobrogea

Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
Brief view of one along the Sfantu Gheorghe Channel

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis
Good views at Calarasi Park, where a juvenile fed on ants on a concrete path close to us

Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius
Heard a number of times but avoided us


Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
Encountered in a variety of habitats and locations with a final display of 8 of them at Vulcan

Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus
Seen at Calarasi

Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius
Well seen at Canaraua Fetei and in Babadag Forest

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra
Excellent views in arable farmland in Dobrogea

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
Well seen at Gura Dobrogea village

Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Fairly common along roadsides

Wood Lark Lullula arborea
Excellent views at Canaraua Fetei

Skylark Alauda arvensis
Singing at Lake Bugeac and in most open areas visited

Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Good views in lowland wetlands

Swallow Hirundo rustica
Very common, especially near habitation

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
Well seen at Canaraua Fetei

House Martin Delichon urbica
Abundant, especially near habitation

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Seen at Celic Dere monastery

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
One high on the Bucegi plateau

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava :
Very common, especially around grazed areas in lowlands. Two distinct forms were noted – the nominate Motacilla flava flava (“Blue-headed Wagtail”) and the delightful Motacilla flava feldegg (“Black-headed Wagtail”). The latter was dominant in Dobrogea.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Very common in the hills around Sinaia, including several sightings deep inside forest

White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Common in every area, including the high mountains

Dipper Cinclus cinclus
Seen along streams in the mountains

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Well seen and heard in the woods around Sinaia

Dunnock Prunella modularis
Seen and heard singing in the mountains

Robin Erithacus rubecula
Seen and heard in the woods around Sinaia also lower in Babadag Forest

Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia
Fairly common seen and heard In Calarasi Park

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Frequently heard in woods in Dobrogea and whilst travelling by road

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Common; singing at Calarasi, in the Delta and among buildings and crags, in and around Sinaia and high in the mountains.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Heard singing in woods in the Delta and also common in the mountains; well seen in the Palace Gardens

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
Seen at Sfantu Gheorghe

Stonechat Saxicola torquata
One seen in Cheia Dobrogea

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Seen on open grazed areas in Dobrogea (eg. esp. Cheia Dobrogea and also in the mountains

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina
One en route and later in the same day another one at Gura Dobrogea Village

Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka
Three pairs and fledglings well seen at Cheia Dobrogea

Eastern Black-eared Wheather Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca
One female seen in Cheia Dobrogea

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus
Good views at the Cheile Zanoagei mountain hut high up the Bucegi plateau, in a forested area good illustration of the different habitat preferred by the alpestris race, in that it is happy in mountain forests as well as around the tree line.

Blackbird Turdus merula
Seen and heard singing at Canaraua Fetei and common in the woods around Sinaia

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Very common in and near Sinaia; feeding young in a nest near Peles Castle

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Seen and heard singing at Canaraua Fetei – common in the woods around Sinaia

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
Well seen in the mountains

Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinoides
Excellent views at Vadu; heard in most reedbeds of any size

(Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Heard fairly commonly in reedbeds


Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola
Well seen at Histria and Navodari Refinery

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Heard and well seen in all reed-bed areas. Encountered on the drive from Tulcea to the mountains.

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Abundant in all wetlands visited – well seen and heard

Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida
Well seen and heard singing in bushes at Mamaia-Sat first after a bit of struggle but the seen by everybody and around Sfantu Gheorghe village

Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
Well seen close to Gura Dobrogea and later at Celic Dere Monastery were it took us a bit of work to see him

Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria
After a lot of effort we managed good views at Canaraua Fetei

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
Common and widespread – in the mountains as much as the lowlands seen at Hali Café in the first day with a beer in one hand and bins in the other

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
One well seen in the orchard next to 1 Mai village

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Seen and heard commonly during the trip.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
One good view in Babadag Forrest

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Singing in the woods at Canaraua Fetei and later seen in the mountains

(Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Well heard in woods around Sinaia

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Well seen near at Calarasi Park and later

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
Well seen near the hotel in Sinaia and heard singing in the forests elsewhere

Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis
One near Peles Castle at Sinaia briefly

(Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus
Heard in the reeds in the Delta

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
One at Canaraua Fetei and later near to 1 Mai village a large flock

Marsh Tit Parus palustris
Seen near Peles Castle, Sinaia

Sombre Tit Parus lugubris
Well seen at Babadag Forrest after a long chase

Coal Tit Parus ater
Very common in woods around Sinaia

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
Common and widespread

Great Tit Parus major
Common and widespread

Nuthatch Sitta europea
Well seen in woods in the mountains and Celic Dere Monastery

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Seen in the woods near Sinaia

Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus
Heard in the Danube Delta

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
Seen and heard in a number of lowland locations, usually in pairs very common

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Very common, especially in Dobrogea; also seen in Sinaia

Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor
Very common on roadside wires in Dobrogea, also in the garden of the hotel at Mamaia-Sat

Jay Garrulus glandarius
Good views in Canaraua Fetei and in all wooded areas

Magpie Pica pica
Abundant and widespread

Jackdaw Corvus monudela
Abundant near settlements – perhaps a third of those seen were of the soemmeringii type, with a very pale half-collar around the base of the nape

Rook Corvus frugeligus
Common in the lowlands

Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix
Seen daily – in mountains and lowlands alike

Raven Corvus corax
Seen commonly in the mountains

Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Abundant in most areas

Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseaus
Good views near Gura Dobrogea of a couple of flocks, one of the bird of the trip.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Abundant near habitation

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Excellent views before the ferry crossing and later near Vadu

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Abundant in the lowlands

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Abundant in all areas with trees

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Fairly common along the road in trees and Calarasi Ponds

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Common in Dobrogea and inland

Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Seen in Transylvania at Rasnov Citadelle

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Good views in the mountains

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Especially in wooded areas in the mountains a very good male along the road

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Excellent close views at Enisala and especially at Celic Dere Monastery

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
Well seen in several wooded areas inland

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Seen at Vadu, Histria and Sfantu Gheorghe

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala
Excellent views at Canaraua Fetei – one of the most enjoyable birds of the tour

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra
Very common and frequently singing in Dobrogea


Reptiles
Spur-tighed Tortoise Testudo hermani
One at Sfantu Gheoghe

European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis
Well seen at Calarasi Ponds and Vadu

Green Lizard Lacerta viridis
Excellent views of a couple at Celic Dere Monastery

Balkan Wall (Crimean) Lizard Podarcis taurica
Good views at Babadag Forest

Large Whip Snake Coluber jugularis )
A dead specimen on the road at Canaraua Fetei and a live one

Snake Eyed Skink
Caught in hand at Babadag Forest


Amphibians

Fire-bellied Toad Bombina variegata
Calling at Calarasi fishponds and in fact most Danube wetlands

Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina bombina
High in the mountains and at Zarnesti Gorge

Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Found at Vadu under a rock very good views at close quarters

Common Frog Rana temporaria
Seen almost everywhere water was

Marsh Frog Rana ridibunda
Seen in all areas of wetland, inland and coastal; also heard, at times at quite unbelievable volume


Mammals
European Red Fox Vulpes vulpes
Well seen en route and from the ferry to Sfantu Gheorghe

European Brown Bear Ursus arctos
Excellent views when in the well-known location at Brasov (14 of them) and along the road in daylight at Paraul Rece two youngsters aprox. 2 years old that were probably just left by there mother. When the cubs are two years old the female leaves them on their one and she start a new reproductive cicle.

Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris
Good views in the mountains only

Roe Deer Capreollus capreollus
Along the Sfantu Gheoghe arm of the Danube

European Souslik Citellus (Spermophillus) citellus
Well seen on most days in Dobrogea – frequently along roadsides and especially at Cheia Dobrogea

Muskrat Ondrata zibethicus
Good views at Calarasi Fishponds

Brown Hare Lepus europaeus
Seen at Gura Dobrogea and at the Pirates Inn on the coast