Bulgaria

Kopilovtci, near Montana, Nor-West part of the country.

Near the dam of the Ogosta River, just out-side the town, on the road to Kopilovtci and Chiprovtci. The banks are shalow, and sunflowers are planted around, aswell as wheat. I was surprise by the Lanius minor presence, the Emberiza melanocephala and the Sylvia nisoria. Also whare present a lot of Black stork (ciconia nigra) and only few White storks(ciconia ciconia). It was easy to see Buteo buteo or Falco tinnunculus, Goshowk (Accipiter gentilis), Sparrowhowk ( Accipiter nisus), aswell one Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) of the raptors. Allso present was Emberiza cirlus, Miliaria calandra, Carduelis cannabina, Carduelis carduelis, Carduelis chloris, Lanius collurio, Sylvia communis, Saxicola rubetra, Luscinia megarhynchos, Motacilla flava feldeggand a young, Galerida cristata, Streptiopelia turtur, Larus cachinans, Actitis hypoleucos,Charadrius dubius, Sterna Hirundo, Anas plattyrhinchos, Ardea cinerea, Egreta garzetta, over 1,000 birds of Phalacocorax carbo, Podiceps cristatus, Passer montanus, Oriolus oriolus, Sturnus vulgaris, Corvus corone cornix, Pica Pica.

After a day in Montana, I driven up in the mountains to the village of Kopilovtci. Driving I have seen numerous Lanius collurio

and white stork nests, after many years they are have come back in the valey

The valley is incredibly bautyfull, there is a monastery, people are nice and no one speak english.

After the village of Kopilovtci, the road finnishes just under the peak Kopren, and you need good 4-5 hours walk to get to the top. There is the Serbo-Bulgarian border. Just under Kopren you can see Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Also, the Buteo Rufinus is present there, normaly carryng snakes to the nestlings. Buteo buteo, Accipiter gentilis, Accipiter nisus, Accipiter brevipes high up, just under Tri Chuki peak.I was surprised by a Pernis apivorus

flyng with fresh brunch from Bulgaria to Serbia. this is called "contraband"?

The intresting think was that years ago was no presence of the Hirundo daurica in the region and the Apus apus is now nesting in the scool of Kopilovtci. Also Emberiza ortulana y Emberiza citrinela

I must say that Kopilovtci has a antient history, from Old Tracia to now days, many tribes have lived in this place.

In the mountain I have seen many Chif-chaf's (Phylloscopus collybita), Anthus trivialis and Pareidae.

And hiere some more pictures from the tryp: