Bird watching in the Danube Delta
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 Tulcea, gateway to The Danube Delta. The journey to Tulcea is almost 300 kms and takes at least four hours. On the way there are optional stops at suitable places to see birds in the forests, lakes, reed beds and marshland. Transfer to the houseboat, your floating home for the next eight nights. Welcome cocktail, followed by dinner and accommodation on board.
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.
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 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. A picnic lunch will be provided. Return to the houseboat, walking on the Marsh, dinner and overnight.
If the time will let us we will visit the village to see the local ancient houses in the Ukrainian architectural style and the Black See Coast to spot the birds that are characteristic to the Sea shore habitats.
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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: 1200
Euro
per person for groups of 4-8 person; 1700 euro/person for groups of 2-3 person
Included: 7 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
Day 5
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 6
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, Wheatear, Whinchat, Bluethroat plus many other more common resident and migrant species. Dinner and accommodation on board the houseboat on the way toward Murighiol.
Day 7
After breakfast we leave the houseboat and take a sightseeing tour by bus of Dobrudja 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 offers 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 around the salt lake to view the local habitat and birds.
Day 8
Transfer to the airport and departure.
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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