Bird watching in the Danube Delta and Dobrudja, Romania
The
Danube Delta is Europe's largest wetland reserve and one of the best
places in Europe for bird watching, covering 2,681 square kilometers
(1,676 square miles), with a sprawling, watery wilderness accessible
only by water. This area impresses its visitor with its numerous
contrasts, as you can find here Europe's youngest land - more than 43.7
square meters (47 square yards) being added each year by normal silting
action – as well as the oldest mountains of Romania. The delta is a
natural stopover for migratory birds, with more than 300 species of
migratory and permanent species of birds.
Day 1
Arrival at Bucharest Airport and transfer to a 3* hotel in Bucharest.
Sightseeing tour of Bucharest. Dinner and accommodation in Bucharest.
Day 2
After
breakfast we journey downstream and visit Murighiol village followed by
birding on foot around the Murighiol salt lake, Plopu salt lake and
Sarinasuf fish farm. Bird species likely to be seen today include White
and Dalmatian Pelicans, Little and Great Egrets, Purple Heron,
Spoonbill, Red-crested Pochard, Red-footed Falcon, Avocet, Black-winged
Stilt, Roller, Feldeg's Yellow Wagtail and possible Kentish Plover,
Mediterranean Gull, Gull-billed Tern.
Late we will take a
sightseeing tour by bus of Dobrudja to see the Babadag Plateau with a
very interesting forest. We will search here for Ortolan Bunting,
Barred Warbler and if we have luck Sombre Tits. We’ll visit the ruins
of the castle of Enisala and the ruins of the ancient Greek town of
Histria. Plenty of opportunities all day to see various bird species as
Histria is home to more than 200 species.
Various lizards and maybe Greek Spur-thighed Tortoise. Late in the day
we return to Murighiol fishing port to board the houseboat. Gala Dinner
on board with local Romanian dishes.
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Day 3
Breakfast
on board followed by a leisurely cruise to Sfantu Gheorghe, one of the
most beautiful fishing villages in the Danube Delta. Interesting birds
likely to be seen from the deck include Great and Pygmy Cormorant
various species of Herons, Bee-eaters, Rollers and of course many
Gulls, Terns and Ducks. Possible viewing of White-tailed Eagle and
Pelicans. Lunch will be served on board before arriving in Sfantu
Gheorghe in the early afternoon. Opportunity in the evening, for
birding around the Sfantu Gheorghe marshes. Expected species: Marsh
terns, Black-necked Grebe and others grebes, Spoonbills, Dalmatian
Pelicans, Black-winged Stilt, various shorebirds, Ferruginous Duck,
Shelducks, various Warblers. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 4
Before
breakfast we will try to find singing Bluethroat males. After breakfast
we explore the local area around Sfantu Gheorghe by small boat,
including the local fishery and sandy Sahalin Island, an important bird
reserve, at the mouth of the Black Sea. Here we are likely to see
Dalmatian and White Pelicans, Egrets, Spoonbill, Shelduck,
Oystercatcher, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet and other various shorebirds
and possible Caspian Terns and White-tailed eagle. Picnic lunch. Return
to the houseboat, walking on the Marsh, dinner and overnight onboard.
Day 5
This
morning we we will visit the village to see the local ancient houses in
the Ukrainian architectural style and the Black See Coast and the Black
See Coast. On the way we will walk on the edge of the forest to see
Hobby, Red-footed Falcon, Cuckoo, Hoopoe, Roller, Collared Flycatcher
and Red-backed Shrike. We then continue to the Black Sea coast to see
Yellow-legged Gull, various shorebirds and look for Stone Curlew in a
breeding habitat. Picnic lunch. A leisure cruise between Sfantu
Gheorghe and Perisor. Beautiful deltaic landscapes, birds like Pygmy
Cormorants, Red-footed falcons, Hobby, Rollers, Bee-eaters, Purple
herons, Squacco herons, Little bitterns and Glossy Ibis will be seen
from the deck. A short walk in the evening in the Preisor Fish Farm
will let us observe these species better.
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Profile
Reasonable level
of fitness required.
Accommodation aboard or in a 3* hotel.
Meal basis: all included
throughout.
Travel is by minibus/car and boat.
Cost: 1415
Euro
per person for groups of 4-8 person; 1800 euro/person for groups of 2-3 person
Included: 9 days full-board
accommodation on a boat with a single room or in a 3* hotel in a double room,
local English-speaking guide,
transfer from/to the airport, local
transportation, entrance fees to places of interest
Day 6
After
breakfast we journey up river towards the Dranov Channel. Bird watching
from the deck until we reach the mouth of the Erenciuc Lake where we
transfer to rowing boats to visit Lake Erenciuc and see a variety of
wild-fowl. Lunch on board and then sail across the Danube to the
Perisor area. Afternoon visit of the area including the Black Sea
coast.Dinner and accommodation on the houseboat .
Day 7
After breakfast, birdwatching in the Zatoane area, a totally remote
area along the Black Sea Coast. Lunch on board. In the afternoon visit
by small boats to Lake Dranov area. During the day we are likely to see
Icterine Warbler Whinchat, Bluethroat plus many other more common
resident and migrant species. Dinner and accommodation on board.
Day 8
After breakfast departure by boat and small motor boats for visiting
the beautiful Perisor area, including the last European wild see shore
and area of Holbina. Picnic lunch. A late cruise back to Murighiol
Day 9
After breakfast we leave the houseboat and take a sightseeing tour of
Dobrudja by bus to the Macin Mountains, a mecca for raptors. The
landscape here offers excellent conditions for thermal formation on
sunny days and strong updrafts in windy days, especially when the wind
is from NE or NW. The agricultural fields and pastures offer good
feeding conditions and the nearby forest is used as roosting place for
the late arriving raptors. Species like Western Honey buzzard,
Short-toed Eagle, Montague's Harrier, Steppe Buzzard, Long-legged
Buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Red-footed Falcon are common here in the
migration time. Other species like pied wheatear and possible rock
thrush will enrich our day here. Picnic lunch. Overnight at a 3* hotel
in Amara. Prior to dinner in the hotel, a walk round the salt lake to
view the local habitat and birds
Day 10
Today we part, but hope to see you again in Romania
Birdwatching
tour using boats to enter the Danube Delta channels in search of
Dalmatian Pelicans, Egrets, Purple Herons, Spoonbills, Red-crested
Pochards, Red-footed Falcons, Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, Rollers,
Feldeg's Yellow Wagtails and possible Kentish Plovers, Mediterranean
Gulls, Gull-billed Terns.
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