Bee-eater

The best time to observe it is immediately after the birds return from migration. From the beginning of May to mid-June the birds are most active and can be photographed while performing nesting games, eating insects, performing pirouettes or choosing a partner. In July is also good time, but the birds are no often active.

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Roller

Rollers arrive in early May and immediately start rituals of courtship. It is interesting to observe how they pass beatles to each other on the perches near their nest. In May the Rollers are active and perform odd flights and interesting landings on the perches. In June and early July the chicks are in the nest and the addults can be photographed on perches near the nest.

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Hoopoe

Hoopoe is maybe one of the most interesting birds to photograph. Its colorful head-dress and feathers are always attractive for shooting. As soon as it returns from migration in early May, during the whole month the males are engaged in territorial battles. From early May to late June the period is suitable for photography. July and August are also good. At this time the young birds fly away together with the adults and the whole family is moving together. Can be photographed from a tent hide or from the car.

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Golden Oriole

Golden Oriole is one of the most beautiful birds that can be photographed from our hides. During the summer we can hear it everywhere, but no matter how often we hear it, it is so hard to photograph. After migration in early May it is quite active for 2 weeks. During incubation, from the end of May to mid-June they are very secretive and difficult to see. When they start to feed chicks in mid/end June to late August they are active and there is a chance to shoot it. It is very interesting to observe in July and August when the young birds come to the tree in front of our phototower, and beg for food from the adults who feed them with mulberries or grapes.

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Middle Spotted Woodpecker

Woodpeckers nest earlier and are more active in the early spring - in March and April to Mid May. They are very active during their nesting season in April and May, and often come to the branches in front of the photo tower. June and July can also be successfull, but the chances are lower. In June it is more convenient to be photographed near the nests.

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Syrian Woodpecker

They are very active during their nesting season in March, April and May and often come to the branches in front of the photo tower. From June on they are more secretive and it is more appropriate to aim for a picture when they feed the chicks. From December until March they are regular visitors of our feeding stations.

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Wryneck

Most active immediately after the return from migration in early May. In the end of May and early June they can be provoked by sound. Can be photographed in June when they feed the chicks near their nest.

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Green Woodpecker

Big chance to land on branches in front of the photo tower. Sometimes when it lands stay on the branch few minutes.

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Great Spotted Woodpecker

During their nesting season in March, April and May they are very active and often come to the branches in front of the photo tower. From June on they are more secretive and it is more likely to succeed with a picture when they feed the chicks. From December until March they are regular visitors of our feeding stations.

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Grey-headed Woodpecker

Big chance to land on branches in front of the photo tower. Sometimes when it lands stay on the branch few minutes.

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Hawfinch

The hawfinch is a regular visitor of our feeding stations from November to April. The best time to photograph is during the winter when food is scarce and it comes to the feeding stations. From May to July it can be photogrpaphed at the drinking stations.

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Red-backed Shrike

From May to August it can be seen everywhere around suitable bushes in grassland habitats near the cottage. During spring and summer it is a regular visitor of the branches in front of our photo tower.

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Lesser Grey Shrike

Can be seen from May to June near bushes which it uses for perching.

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Woodchat Shrike

From May to August it can be seen everywhere around suitable bushes in grassland habitats near the cottage.

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Black-headed Bunting

From May to July is a daily visitor on the branches in front of the photo tower. In May, the most attractive when it singing often.

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Ortolan Bunting

May and June is the best time. Often sings on the branches in front of the photo tower.

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Corn Bunting

From May to August it is a regular visitor of the branches in front of the photo tower. Photos can be taken easily from the car or a tent hide near the bushes in the pastures around the cottage.

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Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer is common visiotor in winter mounts in front of the forest hides and feeding stations.

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Cuckoo

From May to June, sometimes lands on branches in front of the photo tower. Golden Orioles and other songbirds attack it constantly and it remains for short, only for a few seconds, so you must be very fast.

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Isabelline Wheatear

From early May to late June on perches near its nest. Near the cottage we have at least 4-5 pairs.

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Wheatear

From early May to late June it can easily be photographed in the pastures near the cottage. There are low rocks that it uses to perch and builds its nest in the holes.

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Pied Wheatear

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Nightingale

In May and June, sometimes sings perched on a branch in front of the photo tower.

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Stonechat

From May to July it sometimes comes and lands on the branches in front of the photo tower.

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Calandra Lark

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Crested Lark

From April to late August in the pastures near the house.

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Sombre Tit

From December to March it comes to the feeding stations. In April and May it can be photographed near its nest. It can also be photographed near the nestboxes installed by us. The perches near the nest boxes are at the right height and good lighting for photography.

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Marsh Tit

A regular visitor of the feeding strations in front of the hides from November to March.

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Great Tit

All time in the year.

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Blue Tit

All time in the year.

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Long-tailed Tit

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Swallow

Nests in the buildings by the cottage and can easily be shot in the spring and summer on branches and perches near its nest.

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Red-rumped Swallow

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Tawny Pipit

From May to July, sometimes comes near the hides. Most convenient to photograph from a tent hide or from the car.

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Pied/White Wagtail

From May to August everywhere in the pastures and near the small ponds around the cottage.

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Song Thrush

From May to July in front of the photo tower. In July and August young chicks can also be photographed.

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Mistle Thrush

The Mistle Thrush is a visitor of forest feeding stations from November to April. The best time to photograph is during the winter when food is scarce and it comes to the feeding stations. From May to August it can be photogrpaphed at the forest drinking stations.

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Blackcap

Regular visitor in forest hide on the drinking station. It's very interesting in hot days when it is comming for a bath or drink water. Big chance also to capture it from the photo tower when it's singing in the mornings in spring time.

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Whitethroat

From May to July is seen almost daily on perches in front of the photo tower. Sings regularly and continuously.

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Lesser Whitethroat

From May to July is seen almost daily on perches in front of the photo tower. Sings regularly.

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Barred Warbler

Big chance als to capture it from the photo tower when it's singing in the mornings in spring time. The Barred Warbler is very fast and shy, so you should be very fast.

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Spotted Flycatcher

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Collared Flycatcher

During the spring migration in open areas with bushes.

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Semi-collared Flycatcher

During the spring migration in forest habitats, from mid-May to the end of June.

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Chaffinch

All year round. A regular visitor to the feeding and drinking stations; in the spring and summer months also at the photo tower.

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Brambling

From November to March is a regular visitor of the feeding stations. Sometimes arrive in big groups of 35 to 40 birds.

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Greenfinch

From November to March is a regular visitor of the feeding stations. In May and June sometimes sings in front of the photo tower.

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Goldfinch

In May and June is easy to photograph at the drinking stations.

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Linnet

From May to June sometimes come and sing in front of the photo tower.

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House Sparrow

From May to August it is a regular visitor at the photo tower, from November to March - of the feeding station.
 

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Spanish Sparrow

From May to July regular at the drinking stations. The warmer the day the more regularly it arrives.

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Tree Sparrow

From May to August it is a regular visitor at the photo tower, from November to March - of the feeding station.

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Starling

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Great White Egret

Regular visitor in ponds in front of the water hide. It's easy to photograph in spring and summer, also in migration time.

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Little Egret

Regular visitor in ponds in front of the water hide. It's easy to photograph in spring and summer, also in migration time.

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Squacco Heron

Regular visitor in ponds in front of the water hide. It's easy to photograph in spring and summer, also in migration time.

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Black Stork

During migration in smal ponds and in Eastern rodopi mountain where is located Raptor hide

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White Stork

During migration huge flocks flying arround the cottage and landing on a pastures near to the village.

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Ruddy Shelduck

In May in the Suha reka valley. We know one spot where the Ruddy Shelduck flying closely to the hill from which can photograph it. Also there is good position where can set the mobile hide and wating for the pair.

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Black Kite

Regular visitor in summer days on feeding station in front of the Raptor hide. The best time is in late spring to end of summer before end of the breeding season.

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Griffon Vulture

Regular visitor all year on feeding station in front of the Raptor hide. In spring and summer time the feeding station is with many soring colorful flowers, which allows nice compostitions and backgrounds. In winter time when is snowy is also good to capture it, nice blurred background with snowy colors.

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Egyptian Vulture

Only from the vulture hide in Eastern rodopi mountain from late April to September. Usually come 2-4 birds in front of the hide. The best period is in May and June when the landscape in front is very impressive with colorfull different flowers.

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Goshawk

From November to March sometimes come to the winter hides. Must be very cold and snowy.

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Long-legged Buzzard

From November to March sometimes comes to the winter hides when we feed for jackals. Must be very cold and snowy.

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Lesser Spotted Eagle

We don't have sure position for this raptor, but you have chance to capture it in flight arround the cottage.

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Golden Eagle

In winter time from the raptor hide in Eastern rodopi mountain. Very big chance to photograph it when the weather it is snowy and cold.

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Booted Eagle

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Pheasant

All year round in the village or near roads with bushes around the cottage.

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Oystercatcher

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Turnstone

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Turtle Dove

From May to August sometimes it comes to photo tower. Can be photographed easily at the drinking stations.

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Collared Dove

From May to August sometimes it comes to photo tower. Can be photographed easily at the drinking stations.

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Scops Owl

The Scops Owl nesting near to the cottage and it is regular visitor on trees near to the house. Big chance to photograph in the night, but should have good flash light.

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Little Owl

It is nesting arround the cottage and you will have big chance in early mornings or in late afternoons. Just sid and wait to come back to the roof of the house.

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Nightjar

Very hard to see it, but if you are lucky man probably will stay on the road.

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Jay

During the winter months regularly visits the feeding stations.

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European souslik

From May to August it is easy to photograph around the pastures near the cottage. You can use a tent hide, 3D poncho or just from the car.

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Red squirrel

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