Spatia Wildlife

A 13-days tour in search of dragonflies and damselfies.

Dragonflies of Bulgaria

Monday 18^th - Friday 29^th June 2012

Sixty eight species of dragonflies are recorded in Bulgaria up to now – considerable part of the total European number. This variety is determined by the geographical position of the country as well as the well preserved habitat around the many wetlands that exist here.
Within our tour we should see more than 40 species, including rare and endangered species.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to town of Melnik, where we overnight for three nights. Along the road will make a short exploration stop at Kresna Gorge where we expect to see among the others Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles, Common Clubtail and Sombre Goldenring.

Day 2

Today we explore the area near Struma River and here we expect Eastern Willow Spreadwing, Variable and Small Red-eyed Damselflies, Blue-eye, Green-eyed and Blue-eyed Hawkers, River Clubtail, Scarce Chaser and White-tailed Skimmer, Scarlet, Southern, Red-veined and Marshland Darters, and other species. In this region is situated the only known locality in Bulgaria for the Black Pennant and newly discovered Bladetail. Evening free program in the town – architectural reserve with several houses designated as culture’s monuments. The region is also famous with its excellent local wine.

Day 3

Day at the foothills of Pirin and Alibotush Mts in searching for Balkan Goldenring, Eastern Spectre, Southern Skimmer and other species. This region is also famous with great number of butterfly species – more than 70 species occurs here.

Day 4

Transfer to Trigrad gorge in Western Rhodope Mountain with several stops on the way for Balkan Goldenring, Banded Darter and Yellow-winged Darter; Green-eyed Hawker, Lesser Emperor, Downy Emerald, Broad Scarlet (Darter); Yellow-winged Darter, Scarce Emerald Damselfly and Green-eyed (Norfolk) Hawker. We arrive in the gorge, which in fact is famous with its Wallcreepers. We can call at the gorge trying to find this elusive bird. Our hotel, situated in the nearest village, is ten minutes form the gorge. Accommodation and dinner.

Day 5

Today we continue east to the town of Krumovgrad with longer stop on the way to see Northern Damselfly, Downy Emerald, Four-spotted and Scarce Chaser, Blue-eyed Hawker and many others. Lunch on the way and late in the afternoon we arrive in the hotel, where we have three overnights.

Day 6

Day trip to Krumovitsa and Arda river valleys for Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Dainty Damselfly, Odalisque, Eastern Spectre, Balkan and Southern Emerald, Lesser Emperor, Southern Darter and many more.

Day 7

Day trip to Biala reka river valley for Blue-eye, Small Red-eyed, Scarce Emerald and Southern Emerald Damselfly, Dainty Damselfly, Western Willow Spreadwing, Bulgarian and Balkan Emeralds, Turkish Goldenring, Eastern Spectre, Blue-eyed Hawker, Ruddy Darter and many more.

Day 8

Transfer to Sozopol on the Black Sea coast with two stops on the way (Madzhari and Harmali). Possible species: Southern Emerald Damselfly, Small Spreadwing, Eastern Willow Spreadwing, Winter Damselfly, Blue-eye, Dainty Bluet, Lesser Emperor, White-tailed and Southern Skimmers, Broad Scarlet (Darter), Southern and Red-veined Darters; Ornate Bluet, River and Common Clubtails, Scarce Chaser. We arrive in our hotel late in the afternoon for four nights.

Day 9

Today we explore Burgas wetlands. Here we can expect more than twenty species of Dragonflies including Southern Emerald Damselfly, Dark Spreadwing, Winter Damselfly, Dainty Damselfly, Goblet-marked Damselfly (Blue-eye), Norfolk Hawker, Lesser Emperor, Vagrant Emperor, White-tailed Skimmer, Scarlet Darter, Southern Darter, Black Pennant.

Day 10

Drive south where we will visit several protected areas and coastal wetlands – marshes and river mouths near the Black Sea coast. Species include Western and Eastern Willow Spreadwings, Small Emerald Damselfly, Lesser and Vagrant Emperors, Blue-eyed and Turkish Goldenrings, Balkan Emerald, Scarce Chaser, Keeled Skimmer, Red-veined Darter. Picnic lunch on the coast. Back to our hotel in the evening.

Day 11

Today we will explore Strandja Mt looking for Odalisque, Goblet-marked Damselfly, Southern Migrant Hawker, Small Pincertail, Eastern Spectre, Turkish Goldenring and many more. It will be easy to moderate walk as the eco-path around the lake provide us with beautiful view. Picnic lunch and late in the afternoon we are back to our hotel.

Day 12

Transfer to Stara Zagora for the final night-stay with two stops on the way (near Tvurditsa). Species we looking for: Southern Migrant Hawker, Eastern Spectre, Small Pincertail, Balkan and Sombre Goldenrings. Time permitting we will visit the only wildlife rehabilitation and breeding center in Stara Zagora, run by Green Balkans - the biggest nature conservation NGO in Bulgaria.

Day 13

Transfer to Sofia with possible stop at Maritsa River looking for Small Pincertail, River Clubtail and Green Snaketail, White-tailed Skimmer and some other species.

   Eastern Spectre by Mario Langourov.

   Balkan Goldenring by Mario Langourov.

   Turkish Goldenring by Mario Langourov.

   Scarlet Darter by Mario Langourov.

   Red-veined Darter by Mario Langourov.