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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Paul Chapman" data-source="post: 3395359" data-attributes="member: 69491">A less spectacular day. The plan was to set off from Tuylenova and get to Goritsa staying until we had seen Semi-collared Flycatcher and then head south with stops at the Pomorie saltpans and Burgas Lake/PODA reserve before arriving at the Hotel Sakar near Topolovgrad.The majority of the day was spent drying my boots, feet, glasses, scope, camera, binoculars, etc, etc as the rain either drizzled or hammered it down....A very swift seawatch first thing produced 5 Black-throated Divers and before we left the village a Gull-billed Tern flew over and a male Redstart flicked across the road.The drive to Goritsa produced two male Red-backed Shrikes and a male and a female Red-footed Falcon as well as Woodchat Shrike, Calandra Larks and Black-headed Wagtail.Goritsa was a struggle. The last time I was there a male Semi-collared Flycatcher prospected a nest box in the outside of the restaurant as we sat having a cold drink on a dry hot sunny day. This time we battled through drizzle with occasional downpours. A Hawfinch flew across the road - nice - and a Goshawk flew through the forest before perching briefly in full sight. The camera was away because of the rain. Awesome but frustrating. The restaurant area and the woodland opposite failed to produce.We then tried up a road through the forest just north of the restaurant. Success! A frustrating male Semi-collared Flycatcher but it was eluding my companion until we spotted it going to its nest 30 feet up a broken trunk. He was actively feeding the female who was presumably brooding already. Very satisfying though neck stiffening views.The journey to Pomorie produced 7 Bee-eaters in four groups, 2 Red-backed Shrikes and a Roller.Pomorie Saltpans held 100 Curlew Sandpiper, 300 Sanderling, 150 Avocet, 60 Black-winged Stilts, 20 Ruff, 2 Ringed Plover, Squacco Heron, Marsh Harrier and Little and Gull-billed Terns. A heart stopping moment was a bird I identified as a large female Peregrine. I'll be staring at those photos. It got mobbed by a smaller falcon or was that a food pass attempt? Surely that would have been the other way round. The other bird looked too small for even a male Peregrine and I have seen some big size differences. No real doubt on the female Peregrine - I think....The journey to Burgas simply produced another Marsh Harrier and lots more rain.Burgas highlights were 100 White Pelican, 10 Pygmy Cormorant, a pair of Ferruginous Duck, Whiskered and Black Terns, 10 Night Heron, 5 Squacco Heron, 4 Purple Heron, Bee-eater (heard) and 2 Spoonbill.We gave up after the third soaking and set off to Topolovgrad. The weather had improved slightly and the journey's highlights were a Long-legged Buzzard being mobbed by a Kestrel and a Lesser Spotted Eagle that flew up from a roadside field and into nearby trees. Frustratingly, I didn't nail that perched shot opportunity. Otherwise highlights were Black-headed Bunting, Black-headed Wagtail, 4 Red-backed Shrikes, Roller, Marsh Harrier and Turtle Doves.Being guided tomorrow in the Sakar Hills with a few targets. Hoping it stays dry in part..... I had to break out of the hotel through a window in 2010 as we were locked in. It seems busier and more developed six years later.The species list is now 161 (I think). Looking forward to tomorrow.All the best</blockquote>

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