The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
and
Neophron Ltd.

organise

Observation of autumn migration of soaring birds along the Black Sea Coast

1 August 2006 – 31 October 2006

Purpose of the study
The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast is famous with the second biggest in Europe migratory route - the Via Pontica. Every year about 70% of the European population of the White Stork, more than 50% of the European population of Lesser Spotted Eagle and the whole European population of White Pelican, as well as many other species of raptors, Dalmatian Pelicans, cranes and passerines pass through the Via Pontica on their way to Africa and the Middle East. On the other hand, the growing interest to develop wind farms along the Black Sea Coast becomes the biggest threat for the migratory birds, which use the Via Pontica route.

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds organizes for a second year a unique survey of the autumn migration along the Black Sea Coast at several observation points simultaneously in the period 1 August 2006 - 31 October 2006.

The purpose of the study is to set up strong ornithological arguments for the importance of the bottleneck sites for migratory birds along the Black Sea Coast and to prevent the construction of wind power generators in those particular sites. In addition, the aim is to identify all the bottleneck sites for migratory birds in order to prevent possible conflicts when planning wind farms.

For the first time we invite volunteers – ornithologists and birdwatchers from different countries to participate in this important study.

Materials and methods
The study of soaring migratory birds will be carried out through direct observation during the light part of the day in the period 1 August - 31 October 2006. The recorded data about each species should contain the number, the hour of observation, the height, direction and type of the flight. Every day the weather conditions, including temperature, wind, etc. are recorded. For the purpose of the study 10 observation points are selected in Eastern Bulgaria: Balchik, Obrochiste, Panitzovo, Banya, Provadiya, Kremena, Bezvoditza, Topola, Bulgarevo, Gorichane. The first four observation points are open to foreign volunteers.

Balchik
The observation point is situated at the Northern Black Sea Coast, about 5 km southwest of the town of Balchik and 1.3 km NW of the coastline. In the area of the Balchik point 100027 soaring birds, mainly storks and raptors, were recorded during the 2004 autumn migration. The biggest number of the following migratory birds – Red Kite, Griffon Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Montagu`s Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Levant Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Osprey, Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Sacker and Peregrine Falcon was also recorded at this point. 23% of the migratory birds fly lower than 150 m above land, and 39% of the migratory birds fly at between 160 and 500 m.

Obrochiste
The observation point is situated at the Northern Black Sea Coast, south of the village of Obrochiste, about 6 km west of the Albena Resort and the coastline, and about 6 km west-southwest of the Balchik observation point. In the area of the Obrochiste point 149083 soaring birds, mainly storks and pelicans, were recorded during the 2004 autumn migration. This is the biggest number of soaring migratory birds observed at one point along the Black Sea Coast during the autumn migration 2004. At this point was recorded also the biggest number of migratory white pelicans and cranes. 11% of the migratory birds fly lower than 150 m above land, and 35% of the migratory birds fly at between 160 and 500 m.

Panitzovo
The observation point is situated in the northern part of the Dyulino Pass of the Eastern Balkan Mountain, north of Panitzovo village, about 17,5 km west of the coastline. In the area of the Panitzovo point 131088 soaring birds were recorded during the 2004 autumn migration. The biggest number of migratory Honey Buzzards and significant number of Pelicans and Lesser Spotted Eagles was also recorded at this point. About 10% of the migratory birds fly at up to 150 m above the observation point, including some birds, which fly lower than the observation point as they use the valley of the Dvoinitza River. 82% of the migratory birds, which pass the mountain through the Dyulino Pass fly at altitude between 160 and 500 m above the observation point. Raptors spend the night in the forests of the Kamchijska Mountain IBA, which is situated north of the observation point. Pelicans are observed to spend the night in the valley of the Dvoinitza river.

Banya
The observation point is situated in the northern part of the Obzor Pass of the Eastern Balkan Mountain, south of the village of Banya, about 7 km west of the coastline, and about 14,5 km southeast of the Panitzovo observation point.

In the area of the Banya point 106707 soaring birds were recorded during the 2004 autumn migration. The biggest number of migratory Spotted Eagles, Dalmatian Pelicans and Black Storks was also recorded at this point. About 42% of the migratory birds fly at up to 150 m above the observation point, and 55% of the migratory birds, which pass the mountain through the Obzor Pass fly between 160 and 500 m above the observation point altitude. Raptors spend the night in the forests of the Kamchijska Mountain IBA, which is situated north of the observation point.

Prices and logistics
The participation of foreign volunteers in the observation of autumn migration is going to be organized trough the BSPB's birdwatching tour company Neophron Ltd.

We expect volunteers to cover all their expenses during the stay, which are as follows:

Guide (optional): 22 EUR per day

The minimum period of stay at the observation point is 10 days, and the maximum stay can be for the total period of the study (1 August – 31 October).