Studen Kladenetz

Overview

Like Rusenski Lom in the north of Bulgaria, Studen Kladenetz, in the far south of the country is an important site for raptors. The area consists of a reservoir and its surroundings in the Eastern Rhodope mountains. The best area is a deep rocky valley of the Arda River and the stony and scrub-covered slopes, rocky cliffs and small valleys around it. There are also patches of broadleaved woodland and small villages in the area. Part is protected as a reserve and the entire area is an Important Bird Area.

Birds

Raptors are the speciality of Studen Kladenetz and vultures in particular. This site is almost exceptional in Bulgaria in hosting three species of vulture, Black Vulture is rare, Griffon Vulture much commoner and both these residents are joined by Egyptian Vulture in summer. Other raptors include eagles such as Eastern Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle and Short-toed Eagle and even White-tailed Eagle is possible. There are Western Honey-Buzzard and Long-legged Buzzard, Black Kite, Northern Goshawk and Levant Sparrowhawk and falcons including Lesser Kestrel and Common Kestrel, Northern Hobby and Peregrine Falcon. Black Stork also breeds in the area as well as Grey Heron and Chukar Partridge. Syrian Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Common Kingfisher and European Bee-eater can also be seen in summer. Passerines are varied and include such eastern specialities as Western Rock Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, Olive-tree Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and Barred Warbler, Masked Shrike and Black-headed Bunting.

Checklist

Birds you can see here include:

Little Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Black Stork, White Stork, Western Honey-Buzzard, Black Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Osprey, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Northern Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar Partridge, Common Snipe, Woodcock, Rock Dove, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eurasian Scops Owl, Little Owl, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Syrian Woodpecker, Crested Lark, Wood Lark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Olivaceous Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Barred Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Pied Flycatcher, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Sombre Tit, Western Rock Nuthatch, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, Northern Raven, Hawfinch, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting, Black-headed Bunting

Access and Facilities

Studen Kaldenetz is located about 40km south of Khaskovo and can be reached on the E80 via Knizhovnik and Stambolovo. Just after the village of Madzhari take the right turn to the Studen Kladenetz Dam. The entire area is good for birds including the reservoir itself. To reach the "vulture restaurant" run by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, drive to the village of Potochnitza, turn left in the centre in front of the school and head out of the village and onto to the rough track. Those wishing to view vultures here are advised to contact the BSPB in advance.

Krumovgrad is probably the best place to look for hotel accommodation in this area.

Content and images originally posted by Steve

Reviews

Steve Lister's review Avoid distubing the vultures at the feeding sation by parking well back down the road and approaching through the bushes.

Check vultures for wing tags and colour rings - report them to BSPB.

Nearby the actual village of Studen Kladenetz has a lunar type landscape behind it, dominated by a large crag that seems to focus the local raptors as they cross the valley, also a good area for Blue Rock Thrush - 2 pairs in May 2004. Pros

• Great views of raptors at the feeding station.

Cons

• Feeding station not always stocked.

Roller's review It is a beautiful and almost abandaned area. The humans living in the villages of Potochnica and Studen Kladenets are mainly old people. Best time to visit, to my opinion is late april/may. Lots of raptors are possible to be seen at the "vulture restaurant": Black, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Golden, Imperial and Short-toed Eagles, Common and Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Kestel, Black Kite, Hobby and other. An interesting species breeding in the area of the watch point at "Vulchi Dol" reserver is the Subalpine warbler. Pros

• The area seems calm and you will not be disturbed by anyone
• while birdwatching. Excellant for raptors!