Pelican Lake Guesthouse Environmental Project Centre, Srebarna.

We live at the Pelican Lake Guesthouse & Environmental Project Centre Srebarna, adjacent to the Biosphere Reserve in North East Bulgaria. We provide regular updates on our project work and reports on activity on the reserve. We co-operate closely with a number of other conservation organisations to ensure a sustainable future for wildlife and the environment. Details of our current projects and info about Pelican Lake Guesthouse can be found here; www.srebarnabirding.com

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Day of Action





This morning a group of 20 or so students from Silistra accompanied by their teachers, the team from 'World for All' NGO and representatives from The Bulgarian Academy of Science and Japanese International Cooperation Agency, came to collect plastic and other waste from the edges of the Reserve.
We were assisted by the Mayor's office and Rangers from the Ministry of Environment and Water helped with transport.

When the work was complete we withdrew to The Pelican Lake Guesthouse for a picnic in the garden and to take shade from the 34 degree heat!

A 'Volunteer Ecologist Programme' certificate will be awarded by Srebarna Birding to all participating students.

Above are some pictures of the day.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Dry River Valley



About 35km SE of Srebarna we found this beautiful spot.

With average temperatures now in June exceeding 30 degrees the caves provide a perfect place to find some shade, relax and take in the view.
You can walk or cycle to it from the main road or take the car and have a picnic.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

What a month we've had


Sorry to you all, especially Colin but we've been so busy lately with birding, guests, a trip back to UK and organising the next waste collection day, that we haven't had time to post. So here's a round up of the last few weeks:

We spent a fantastic 4 days on the NE coast around Shabla, Durankulak, Albena and Kaliakra (see pic), and saw great numbers of many species including Paddyfield Warbler, Pied Wheatear, Golden Oriole (2 flew alongside the car for 2 km, thoughtfully flitting from side to side so we could both get a great view). We met a nice bunch of birders from Bridlington at Durankulak and later in the day at Kaliakra, where we had reports of Rock Thrush, Shearwater Black-Necked Grebe and Dolphins from a Belgian group.

Back to Srebarna where our first official paying guest at the B&B, Brian from Dudley, recorded 4 birds for his life list. He was 'over the Moon'. Brians enthusiasm quickly spread to me and I felt like I was seeing the Reserve with fresh eyes. Brian left on the 'Buzz' to Varna with a smile on his face. (Hope you don't object to the 'Buzz' joke Brian).

Our next guest Lee, decided to stay an extra day as the Birding was so good. He was a mine of information about insect life and loads of other things and kindly shared his knowledge and friendship with us. Thanks Lee.

Here's our list from Srebarna for the past month:

Red-Necked Grebe, Dalmatian Pelican, Cormorant, Pygmy Cormorant, Bittern, Little Bittern, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill,

Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveller, Teal, Garganey, Pochard, Ferruginious Duck,

White-Tailed Eagle, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Levant Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Kestrel, Red-Footed Falcon, Hobby,

Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-Headed Gull, Yellow-Legged Gull, Black Tern, Whiskered Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo (Grey and Rufous), Little Owl, Nightjar, Swift, Alpine Swift, Hoopoe, Kingfisher, Bee-Eater, Roller,

Green Woodpecker, Grey-Headed Woodpecker, Great-Spotted Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, White-Backed Woodpecker,

Skylark, Crested Lark, Calandra Lark, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Nightingale, Thrush Nightingale, Redstart, Wheatear, Stonechat, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, River Warbler, Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Penduline Tit,

Red-Backed Shrike, Lesser Grey-Shrike, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion/Hooded Crow, Starling, Rose-Coloured Starling, Golden Oriole, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Serin, Hawfinch, Ortolan Bunting, Yellowhammer, and one or two more that managed to keep one step ahead of us.