I didn't go bird watching today - In Bulgaria

John Cree didn't go birdwatching in Bukgaria
I think it was John Gooders who denounced himself as a ‘bad birdwatcher' in a magazine article. Well so am I and I apologize if my memory has failed on the right name.

What you might miss if you don't take your camera. This is one of the buzzards that John  didn't photograph.

I didn't go bird watching today. My obligation was to visit my very good friend in hospital, in Burgas, Bulgaria. I live about 70 Kilometres from the hospital and on the way I did notice one or two things.

Eastern Imperial Eagles
The first of was a pair of Eastern Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliacal) being mobbed by eight Carrion Crows (Corvus corone) of the hooded variety. Each eagle was forced in turn to almost ground level until they beat a retreat to the south - An event in any birders day I'm sure you will agree.

As stated I did not go bird watching today. Therefore I had no ‘scope, binoculars or camera. I get distracted, you see, and might not have made it as far as the hospital; hence no gear ha-ha.

I can hear your questions! "How far away were the eagles?" Not more than 20 metres from the road where I pulled in, distancing to 100 metres as the pursuit continued. The corvids drove the eagles to almost grass level so intense were their intentions.

Red Backed shrike & White stork
I witnessed this for the few intense minutes it lasted then drove on. My thoughts were very much on my friend so the lesser yet no less beautiful sights of Stonechat, Crested lark, Turtle dove, Black Headed bunting along with Red Backed shrike and the occasional White stork gliding over the car as I sped east went noticed but un-remarked except in my mind.

Approaching Burgas I unconsciously noted more raptors, magpies, jays and a whole host of sparrows, tree, house and Spanish. Buntings and larks were rising and settling in flocks of 20 to 50 all along the way just metres from the roadside. Descending into Burgas at the lakes I could see gulls and terns. There are many road works here at the moment so further observation was limited to some coots and ducks.

Reddening sky
The return trip was much the same but decorated with a reddening sky. The weather was mixed, no doubt influenced by the currently active volcano in Iceland.

Pelicans
Leaving town I could see a large flight of birds coming into the lake from the Poda bird reserve direction. Pelicans. White I believe. High but dropping down with the sun behind them. Quite beautiful.

I know the roosting point so I slowed and got in the tram lane hoping to time it so I could see them landing, but I was just too early. By now it was 6 pm, there was loads of traffic and I was tired; all I wanted by this time was to get home (via Dora's for a beer) then an early night.

Meanwhile the Pelicans dropped quickly, spiralling both left and right dropping into the margins. I made a mental note to position myself for a photo shoot sometime and drove on before I turned into a hazard on the road.

It always happens when you don't have a camera
Passing the end of a lake in Konstaninovo, where I have spent many a bewitching hour, I was rewarded with a Bittern, stock still on some flattened vegetation, hunting. Backlit by the orange red of the setting sun complete with text book reflection on the narrow canal. No camera! Why is it that that always happens ha-ha.

I've been doing this hospital trip for five weeks now and I am truly tired and a bit jaded so the next part of the journey was a bit mechanical. However, as I approached the long flat bit of road where I witnessed the interaction between the eagles and the corvids I was re awoken to the sight of one of the eagles checking it's flight, not once but twice giving me spectacular views of it's mass and underside as it almost flew backwards, perhaps after spotting some potential prey.

We are on the edge of my patch here and I know it well, so, still driving I looked to the likely perches and yes, there was the second eagle, about 50 metres away on the opposite side of the road from the first.

I'm almost home now and more of the ubiquitous road works so time to concentrate again.

My village is in sight and a cold beer is in my head along with an early night, but, since this IS my village and my patch I couldn't help but look for raptors on usual perches. I was not disappointed. The humble buzzard, common in my native Scotland but just one of a cast of many here in Bulgaria, sat proudly on a well used perch with the dying sun turning the drab brown bird into a golden hero.

I wrote this in my small village bar, sipping cold beer while I await the daily phone calls from friends on the progress of the patient.

"Nasdravy" or "cheers" to you. As I said. I didn't go bird watching today.

John Cree