Bath Time in the woods in Bulgaria
20th July 2019
It was the changeover day for our bird guides and Susan and I were watching a few birds in a quiet woodland with a small stream running through it. We were waiting for Dimiter our second guide and the owner of Neophron Tours. He was to be our guide for a couple of days in Bulgaria and then on to Romania for the rest of the trip. We reluctantly said goodbye to Vlado who we had become quite friendly with, this was difficult because he is a very engaging and nice young man. Before Dimiter’s arrival Vlado told us that Dimiter was probably the most experienced birder in the Balkan Peninsula with a huge knowledge of the area’s geography and top notch id skills – both of which proved to be correct.
Prior to Dimiter’s arrival we had been watching a good number of birds coming down to drink and bathe from this little stream and not being one to miss a photographic opportunity I asked him to park his jeep up close to the stream to see if the birds would continue to show. He wasn’t sure that being so close would work but I said it was worth a try and we all sat quietly waiting. After a few minutes, just as I thought, the birds started to appear and what followed next was a very productive photo session.
Around this little stream we saw Jay, Ortolan Bunting, Sombre Tit, Black Caps, Corn Bunting, Semi Collared Flycatcher and Nightingale most of which came down to bathe and drink and all the while we were being serenaded by the gorgeous sound of Turtle Doves and Nightingales singing - what more could you want?
Jay.
Ortolan Bunting.
Semi Collared Flycatcher. (Sought after bird).
Sombre Tit.
Nightingale.
But best of all a family of Hawfinches bathing and drinking.
The first time for us to see young Hawfinches - and up close too!!
This was a delightful setting and if I had access to a place like this back home I would arrange the stones in the stream to make small natural bathing pools and also put some nice wood and stones around for perches. Then wait for some cloud cover to eliminate the highlights and shadows that were caused by the strong sunshine. If this place was local to me I would be spending large amounts of time there, because anything could drop in, and it was also very quiet, the only person we saw was a shepherd leading a flock of sheep down the track.
Dimiter was clearly impressed by this location and he tells us he has been back to visit again after our trip had finished and I’m sure this location will pay a part in his future photo tours.
Here is a very short video clip of some of the Hawfinches bathing.
https://youtu.be/894Euva1CKg
Prior to Dimiter’s arrival we had been watching a good number of birds coming down to drink and bathe from this little stream and not being one to miss a photographic opportunity I asked him to park his jeep up close to the stream to see if the birds would continue to show. He wasn’t sure that being so close would work but I said it was worth a try and we all sat quietly waiting. After a few minutes, just as I thought, the birds started to appear and what followed next was a very productive photo session.
Around this little stream we saw Jay, Ortolan Bunting, Sombre Tit, Black Caps, Corn Bunting, Semi Collared Flycatcher and Nightingale most of which came down to bathe and drink and all the while we were being serenaded by the gorgeous sound of Turtle Doves and Nightingales singing - what more could you want?
Jay.
Ortolan Bunting.
Semi Collared Flycatcher. (Sought after bird).
Sombre Tit.
Nightingale.
But best of all a family of Hawfinches bathing and drinking.
The first time for us to see young Hawfinches - and up close too!!
This was a delightful setting and if I had access to a place like this back home I would arrange the stones in the stream to make small natural bathing pools and also put some nice wood and stones around for perches. Then wait for some cloud cover to eliminate the highlights and shadows that were caused by the strong sunshine. If this place was local to me I would be spending large amounts of time there, because anything could drop in, and it was also very quiet, the only person we saw was a shepherd leading a flock of sheep down the track.
Dimiter was clearly impressed by this location and he tells us he has been back to visit again after our trip had finished and I’m sure this location will pay a part in his future photo tours.
Here is a very short video clip of some of the Hawfinches bathing.
https://youtu.be/894Euva1CKg