Marsh Harrier - Bulgaria / Romania border.

In the steppe – like country on the Bulgaria / Romania border there is a multitude of birdlife. The area is farmed in a very low key manner, mostly by hand – scything the crops and using horse and cart for transportation. Eagles and Harriers regularly hunt the area and typically Hoopoes and Shrikes can be seen throughout the farmland. We obtained the permission of the reed cutters (who live in small caravans near the reed beds while the harvesting is taking place), to drive onto the land where there was an area of water. As we approached we could see a colony of white Pelicans with a few Dalmatian Pelicans amongst them. We stopped and stood behind the vehicle to observe them because they can be quite spooky and they were lifting off the ground continuously, seemingly unable to settle.



We were enjoying watching them when I noticed a male Marsh Harrier quartering the ground nearby and slowly but surely it was coming closer. I thought it would turn away when it got too near us, but it continued on its course. I made Susan and Dimiter aware of this and they stood quite still so as not to spook it and on it came right past the vehicle and I managed to get some fairly close – up shots. They don’t usually come that close in the UK so it was a refreshing change.



Still keeping one eye on us!