Spatia Wildlife

A 15-days holiday in search of south-east European butterflies.

Butterflies of the Balkans - Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece

Sunday 1^st - Sunday 15^th July 2012

This unique trip is combining three countries and allows us to explore some of the prime butterfly habitats on the Balkan Peninsula. Within the fifteen days we will visit Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece looking for rare and hard to see anywhere else butterfly species. We expect a total number of over 130 species (143 on our 2011 tour), from attractive ones such as Apollo, Poplar Admiral, Purple Emperor and Large Copper to very local and difficult to see species like Bulgarian Ringlet, Macedonian Grayling, Dill’s Grayling, Freyer’s Grayling, Blue Argus, Phalakron Blue, Higgins’s Anomalous Blue and many more. Additionally we will enjoy many rare and endemic flowers and plants as well as other wildlife. Among the birds we will see are the Eastern Imperial Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Lesser Kestrel, Dalmatian Pelican etc.

Our route goes in a circle, starting and ending in Bulgaria, exploring areas of Macedonia and Greece in between. We will also enjoy the beautiful scenery and the different habitats of the region, as well as cultural landmarks like Rila monastery in Bulgaria. It is also an excellent opportunity to taste the local food and drinks as well as to feel the local lifestyle in three different, but still closely related countries.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer (less than two hours, with stop on the way) to our hotel, situated near Rila monastery. Accommodation for the nights and dinner.

Day 2

Today we explore the nearest river valley for Poplar Admiral, Purple Emperor, Balkan Copper, Scarce Copper, Hungarian Glider, Yellow-banded Skipper, Map Butterfly, Niobe Fritillary and many more. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon we can visit the Rila monastery – the most visited cultural site in Bulgaria.

Day 3

One hour of driving brings us into the Republic of Macedonia. We will have several stops on the way and our destination is Prilep town where we accommodate the next two nights.

Day 4

Today we will visit a river valley south-west of the town, having few stops on the way. Species we expect are Camberwell Beauty, Yellow-banded Skipper, Large Blue, Little Tiger Blue, Southern White Admiral, Balkan Marbled White, Large Tortoiseshell, Large Blue and many more.

Days 5 and 6

Less than two hours of driving brings us to Galitchitsa Mountain which we will explore both days. Species to be seen here are Grey Asian Grayling, Balkan Clouded Yellow,  Greek Clouded Yellow, Damon Blue, Grecian Anomalous Blue, False Eros Blue, Balkan Fritillary, Russian Heath, Purple and Brown hairstreaks, Esper’s Marbled White, Apollo, Dusky Grizzled Skipper, Scarce Copper. We will be based in a hotel situated near Prespa Lake for two nights.

Day 7

Today we drive to Greece and will stop on several sites along the route which will bring Marbled Skipper, Poplar Admiral, Southern White Admiral, Latice Brown etc. Late in the afternoon we reach the Kerkini Lake (near the Bulgarian border), where we will stay for two days.

Day 8

Day around the lake will produce Lang’s short tailed Blue, Black-veined White, Little Tiger Blue as well as many birds species.

Days 9 and 10

Short transfer brings us to Phalakron Mountain, which we will explore both days. Here we can see Phalakron Blue, Black Ringlet, Great Sooty Satyr, Ripart’s Anomalous Blue, Higgin’s Annomalous Blue, Apollo, Nettle-tree Butterfly, Southern Comma, Lesser Marbled Fritillary and many more. Two nights in a family run small hotel in the village of Volakas.
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Day 11

Transfer to Predela, just west of Bansko on the foothills of Pirin mountain. On the way we will have two main stops for Southern Grayling, possibly Dills’ Grayling, Twin-spot Fritillary, Cardinal, Adonis Blue, Large Wall Brown, three species of Short-tailed blues etc. Overnight in Bansko for two nights.

Day 12

Today we explore the mountain meadows over Vihren hut looking for Nichol’s Ringlet,
Black Ringlet, Silky Ringlet, Balkan Fritillary, Clouded Apollo etc.

Day 13

Long transfer to the northern slopes of Rila mountain. On the way we will stop at Belmeken dam and check the area for Bulgarian Ringlet, Ottoman Brassy Ringlet, Bright-eyed Ringlet, Cynthia’s Fritillary etc. Arrival at village of Govedartsi late in the afternoon. Here we will accommodate for two nights.

Day 14

The mountain cabin lift brings us high in the northern slopes of Rila Mountain. Here we
will look for Cynthia’s Fritillary, Dusky Grizzled Skipper, Dewy Ringlet, Nichol’s Ringlet and Eastern Large Heath etc. In the afternoon we shall explore the meadows behind our hotel for Brown Hairstreak, Nickerl’s Fritillary, Scarce Copper etc. Farewell dinner.

Day 15

One hour of driving brings us to Sofia airport. Stop on the way for a Purple Emperor, High Brown Fritillary, Lesser Spotted Fritillary and other species, depending on the time. Departure

   Balkan Fritillary by Dobromir Domuschiev.

   Cynthia's Fritillary - the most colorful race is found in Bulgaria.
   Photo by Dobromir Domuschiev.

   The Grey Asian Grayling has very limited distribution in Europe, but we shall
   see it in Macedonia. Photo by Dobromir Domuschiev.

   Higgin's Annomalous Blue is another Balkan endemic, found in only a few
   sites in Bulgaria and Greece. Photo by Dobromir Domuschiev.