Branta Birding Lodge Ringing Site takes place in the South Coastal Dobrogea region, on the northern Bulgaria Black Sea shores, in the heart of the coastal Lake Durankulak (a protected area and a Ramsar site) and just 3 miles from the Romanian border. It is an independent investigation, which aims to complement all preliminary efforts in the area. The Ringing Site is one of the few locations along
the western coastal zone of the Black Sea that studies bird migration on the Eastern European migratory flyway. Branta Birding Lodge Ringing Site is a joint initiative between the Foundation “Le Balkan-Bulgaria, ”Branta Conservation Centre" and "Branta Tours Birdwatching Company". Bird ringing activities are performed under a permit issued by the Ministry of Environment and Water, and coordinated by the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research in Sofia (IBER-BAS), which is responsible for running the bird ringing scheme in the country. The project will be held annually between 15 September and the end of November, and from 15 March to 15 May, with some extra days during the winter season. Our work will be critically dependent on volunteers and donations to secure and maintain the station’s equipment, scientific facilities, logistics and running costs. Our mist nets will be placed in a wide variety of biotopes to allow species inventory studies and/or compare population parameters among particular habitats. A desire to capture particular target species will influence the habitats and vegetation structure where netting should take place. Our main goal is to study and document bird migration through Europe’s second largest migration corridor funneling along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast (known as the 'Via Pontica' flyway,) focusing on rarities and vagrants visiting the area mainly during the fall and spring migration period. Red-flanked Bluetail, Red-fronted Serin, Asia Minor Twite, Booted, Dusky, Upcher’s, Yellow-browed and Pallas's Leaf Warblers, Siberian Stonechat, Siberian Thrush, Isabelline Shrike and Steppe Grey Shrike are just a few examples of the rare visitors recorded in the area. Moustached Warbler is another highlight of interest that we observe regularly in the area; we also have a special interest on enigmatic species like Aquatic Warbler, which is really a mystery bird for our altitudes. If you are a volunteer (preferably with some experience) or an avian specialist who wishes to participate in bird ringing, please do get in contact and we will give you all details and recommendations for local accommodation and airport transfers:
E-mail: [email protected]; WhatsApp/Viber: +359 887308753;
Mobile: +359 879 455 996. If you want to support us, please donate to “Le Balkan - Bulgaria Foundation” to help meet the running costs and petrol expenses for our ringers that will be accommodated at Branta Birding Lodge & Conservation Centre. Contact: [email protected]
- BRANTA BIRDING LODGE is a comfortable, well-located and clean accommodation providing the basis for your visit to the region. From the Lodge it’s easy to get to the sandy beaches or to the protected wetlands. It is close to the Romanian border and to the international motorway E-87.
- Delicious traditional cuisine and generous local hospitality in the company of your hosts, Tatyana and Pavel, who are able to provide a wealth of background information on wildlife matters and indeed on cultural topics, as well as singing and playing a nice evening piano-bar music that will fit perfectly to your style.
- Direct access to the advice and knowledge of Pavel Simeonov - one of Bulgaria’s leading naturalists and the only experienced ornithologist in the area. Having lived for years in Durankulak he acquired much experience with all the birds that can be seen in the region as well as the knowledge about the best locations where they can be found.
- The real natural features of the region - a combination of aesthetic beauty and the unspoiled aspect of the environment, i.e. only a few people are aware that Bulgaria still possess such areas of wildlife where “Nature is still Natural”.
- The wildlife starts at your doorstep, i.e. over 180 bird species have been recorded from our terrace. The Lodge’s grounds and immediate surrounds having breeding Bee-eater colony, Barn & Scops Owls, Syrian Woodpecker, Golden Oriol, Ortolan, Black-necked Bunting, Lesser Grey Shrike, Spanish Sparrows and Hawfinch in spring, migrating Pelicans, Cranes, Pallid Harriers and Red-breasted Flycatchers in autumn and a number of Red-breasted Geese in winter, to name but a few …
- Outstanding views over Durankulak Lake and the Black Sea. Contact: [email protected]
