Our final morning

A final early start, (not for the locals after Bulgaria had won the Eurovision Song Contest last night). We headed back to the marshes before catching our flight home. What a superb holiday! The company we went with was Heatherlea, based in Nethybridge. They organised all the logistics including pre and flight hotels, flights, transport - a dedicated Bulgarian driver who was excellent, a Heatherlea guide and a local guide - both of whom were brilliant. All meals were included and everything went swimmingly - until of course we got near home and there was a points failure at Penrith! There were 10 in the group. I couldn't recommend Heatherlea more. Anyway a few final pictures ...

Montague's Harrier.

Toothed Orchid.

A visitor!

Wryneck.

And then we were off....

Over Sofia...

Fire Salamanders

One of the benefits of the rain was that in the afternoon, when walking through a Beech wood, we found Fire Salamanders wandering around. 

Blue Ground Beetle.

And back to the hotel, Where there was a Long-eared Owl. 

Draganmamsko Marshes

We began our penultimate day at the Dragomamsko Marshes in the drizzle, before heading out to various other sites ...

It's always nice to see Bearded Reedlings.

An 'interesting boardwalk! Species included: Marsh Warbler, Purple Heron, Savi's Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-legged Buzzard, and Otolan Bunting.

Next stop, some scrubby grassland and distant views of Cranes.

Glanville Fritillary.

And a very freshly hatched Glanville Fritillary.

Typical dwelling. 

Ortolan Bunting.

One of several bedraggled Lady Orchids.

Lunch....nearly to a park with...

...Semi-collared Flycatchers.

Luptite area, Hotovo and Kresna Gorge.

 A mixture of stops on the way back into Bulgaria. The highlight was the Bronze Glandular Bush Cricket - what a stonker!

Colourful weeds.

A very poor and distant photo of a Roller - just to remind me we did see quite a few, but they were very flighty.

Egyptian Locust.

Hermann's Tortoise.

And 'The Beast'.

Gryphon Vultures in the Kresna Gorge, before rain stopped play. 

Lake Kerkini at Strymonas

 A simple but enjoyable walk along the embankment beside the at Strymonas at the mouth of Lake Kerkini. We arrived to sounds of the call to Mass at the local church, while Bee Eaters, Turtle Dove and Golden Oriole called. Highlights were the number of lizards and glimpses of a substantial snake, as well as the delightful nest, and good view of a Penduline Tit. It was interesting to see so many Water Buffalo and it gave the area a real 'African' feel.

European Pond Terrapin.

Red-eared Slider.

Penduline Tit nest.

Grazing Water Buffalo.

and more...

Immature Balkan Green Lizard.

Balkan Green Lizard.

Long-horned Beetle Agapanthia kirbyi

Eastern Festoon

Scarce Chaser - female.

Scarce Chaser - male. 

The White-legged Damselfly otherwise known as the Blue Featherleg. 

The ever present plastic problem. 

Swimming Buffalo.

And as we leave - a Little Bittern - with terrapin.