Here we go! Bulgaria and Northern Greece

Flying over Central London and the River Thames, we headed across the Alps towards Sofia. Arriving mid day allowed us to head to the Bespari Hills, in the foothills of the Western Rhodope Mountains, for a quick exploration of some continental steppe habitat, enroute to our first nights lodgings in Yundola. Leaving Sofia we passed some quite run down Eastern Block style tenements juxtaposed with modern buildings, before heading into countryside and swathes of some species of Marsh Orchid. Stopping in an old quarry we were met with the sound of Corn Buntings and splashes of colour from ruderals. A Tawny Pipit obligingly stood on the track, while Calandra Larks sang. Some nice butterflies and a Balkan Wall Lizard too...We then headed to Yundola - through a Picos de Europa-like gorge. Many of the buildings reminded us of the Picos too, from our earlier visits, before it became more developed. Plenty of cows with bells and random dogs. 

A clear sky for much of the journey, with splashes of yellow from Oilseed Rape fields. 

Clouds over the Alps.

And a tantalising glimpse....

Poppies - a constant throughout our trip.

Corn Bunting.

A Black-headed Bunting....

..and closer to.

Balkan Wall Lizard. 

Balkan Zephyr Blue - with black edges to its wings.

Queen of Spain Fritillary.

A freshly emerged Eastern Festoon...

Yellow-banded Skipper.

A colourful Shield Bug.

Rock Thyme.

A colourful Spurge sp.

And as we left, a good view of an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler.