Renovation of an old water dam in a dry area. The main plans are to build a small dike that will keep the water to a low level, which will form a large water shallow suitable for birds. I hope that next spring there will be many water birds like storks, maybe some ducks.
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A very interesting article about behavior and social interactions of Bee-eaters written by one of the famous Polish photographers visited our photo hides two seasons to photograph these wonderful birds.
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Probably no one can deny, that the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is one of the most beautiful & interesting birds in Europe. It is so unusual thanks to not only its colorful plumage but also to well-developed social relat [...]
The breeding season is over and we can start working on the new photo hide. This will be something new that we have not done so far in such a region. The area is dry and the only water source is a fountain some hundred meters away where the livestock from the village go to water.
The photo hide will be a 3/5 m. The bird drinking station raised on a platform so that it is at the level eye of the photographer. The water will be powered by a 300-meter tube.
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In partnership with the local community and with the help of the mayor we decided to rebuild and renovate the old nesting in the sand walls in the area.
Finally, we have revovated 6 walls and hope Bee-eaters and Rollers will decide to nest in future years.
Maybe it will take time to attract birds, but you never know. I hope that they will take up sand walls in the next breeding season.
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Following some amazing photos posted on Twitter, fellow Northants Bird Club member, Mark and I booked the first week in June 2019 at Nature Travel.
Our thoughts that June might be too late for some of our target shots were quickly dispelled on our first day in Bulgaria. We couldn’t have timed it better for the breeding Bee-eaters and juvenile as well as adult Hawfinches were an added bonus at the woodland hide as were the numbers of Turtle Doves. Early afternoons were spent in the surrounding fields where an abundance of butterflies, shieldbugs and other insects were the subject of our attention.
Sergey has done an incredible job with the siting and construction of the hides to maximise the chances for a good number of photogenic species.
We were very well catered for in the cottage and we came away with excellent photos that could have taken a lifetime or more to get in the UK. To top all that, both Mark & I did very well in the Northants Bird Club annual photo competition with shots taken during our visit https://northantsbirdclub.blogspot.com/p/photographic-competition-winners-2019.html.
During April-May this year Eirik Bornø and I visited Sergey Panayotov and the Nature Travel photo hides at Ognyanovo. In addition, we had several days in the Eastern Rhodope mountains to photograph vultures and a morning trip to Cape Kaliakra on the Black Sea coast for Pied Wheatear and Calandra Lark. The whole visit was a huge success thanks to Sergey and his staff. Anybody wishing to get an idea of the excellent bird photography opportunities that can be expected here, I have recently uploaded a short review and a selection og bird images from this tip to my website, which may be viewed here: https://www.photobirder.net/bulgaria-2018
We, Neil and Brigitte stayed in the Cottage in Ognyanovo before. We enjoyed it so much that we decided that the "custom made bird photography tour" would be ideal for us and our friends Gabi and Frank. The mixture of Mountains, with the vultures and the birds of prey, waterhide and the cottage with all its different hides was ideal to get a great variety of birds and habitats. The only change we made was to extend the stay in the cottage one week. The hides close to the cottage where perfect for four photographers, and a great improvement with the one way glass windows. We where also very lucky the get chances of photographing nearly all our target birds.
Sergey`s organisation was perfect, but left enough room for all our wishes. Food and entertainment where absolutely "bomba". :-)
We can highly recommend Nature Travel and especially this tour to all nature photographers. Thank you again for two unforgettable weeks Gabi, Brigitte, Frank and Neil from Germany.
More about Brigitte and Neil you can see on their web site.
Dear Sergey! I just wantet to say thank you one more time for this incredible week we had with you. What made our trip so impressing for us was, that we could feel your unrestricted devotion and the love to the birds and the nature in general. You understood, what kind of treasure you still have and your effort to protect it is amazing. Keep up your HARD WORK so that many more people can see the beauty of your country.
Thank you Sergey, for this wonderful days full of light, birds and colors! It feels the being with a friend long known. Food was perfect, service also, even that you are not a proffesional :).
I really hope that we will see us next year again, untill then we both keep our fingers crossed for your success.
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Photo Tower hide
The other hide in the yard is a tower overlooking the branches of a walnut-tree where birds often perch. Several bird species have their territories around the yard and they often perch on the highest branches for their displays.
The floor of the tower hide is 7m high and roof is at 9m height. This allows viewpoint towards the birds at the level of their position and above the other trees around. As a result a well designed bouque is arranged.
Permanent photo hide adjacent to a sand wall where Rollers, Bee-eaters and Starlings breed. The hide is at a secure distance from the nests with no risk for disturbing the birds. Perches in front of the hide are the perches used regularly by the birds in their day to day live and birds are regularly sitting on them throught the day. The use of these perches gives an insight into the intimate live of birds when feeding, displaying, mating or feeding young.
This is a permanent photo hide adjacent to a sand wall where Rollers, Bee-eaters and Starlings breed. The hide is at a secure distance from the nests with no risk for disturbing the birds, but at the same time close enough to their favourite perches where they rest, feed each other or display breeding games and mating behaviour. \The hide faces northeast, appropriate for afternoon shooting with ideal lighting or early morning photography in slightly backlit lighting conditions. The degree of backlighting in the early morning hours is very suitable for art photography. The orientation of the hide is aimed at maximising the use of the specific light conditions, and the green trees nearby secure an appropriate photographic background.
A fixed photo hide built on the sandy wall where a colony of Bee-eaters nests. The hide is at a sufficient distance from the nests of the birds so they do not worry, and at the same time they are close to favorite perches where the birds rest, feed or mating. It is often the case that the birds are copulating in front of the hide just few metres from the hide, which is very interesting for photographing. \The orientation is in the Northwest, allowing for perfect light for the afternoon and morning photography sessions. Late afternoon hours provide soft light backlighting, which is very interesting for lovers of Bird Art photography. The purpose of the layout is to provide optimal light for most of the day, while green field is perfect clean background.
The hide is located in an oak forest. It is made of wood and faces a small artificial pond. A variety of common birds land to drink and take a bath. The pond is 3.0 by 2.30 metres wide, which permits the possibility to capture the reflection of the bird whilst drinking. The depth is between 1 and 5 cm which is appropriate for a diversity of bird species. We feed round the hide all year round with various seeds and grains, which ensures that the birds remain in the area more permanently. \The hide is suitable for three people, there are seats inside and the use of a tripod is advisable. There is an opportunity to arrange additional branches, logs or stones for perches. \The forest is guarded, therefore the access and traffic of people are limited which guarantees that the birds are not disturbed. The access to the hide is restricted and is possible only with a guide. If you wish to use this hide during your stay, please request in advance.
The hide is second forest bird hide and located in an same oak forest 10 min driving from the birding lodge. In front of the hide is a small water pond. A variety of common birds land to drink and take a bath. The pond is 3.0 by 5.0 metres, which permits the possibility to photograph the reflection of the bird whilst drinking or bathing.
The depth is between 1 and 5 cm which is appropriate for a diversity of bird species. For examples is good enough for small birds like Tit or Green finch and in the same moment for Turtule doves or Goshawk. We feed around the hide all year with various seeds and nuts, which ensures that the birds remain in the area more permanently. The hide is suitable for 4 photographers with tripods. There are comfortable chairs.
The forest is protcted area, the access and traffic of people are limited which guarantees that the birds are not disturbed. The access to the hide is restricted and is possible only with a guide.
In 2015 NatureTravel in partnership with BSPB create stationary photo hide for photographing birds and nesting platform in the water. That same year on the construction of the platform first we had 17 pairs of Terns.
Photo hide offers all the convenience needs of photographers, including photographing from water level which is most importnat for clear and blurr background. Photographers available soft mattresses that are comfortable photographing from a lying position and chairs with adjustable height.
The hide is situated in Poda lagoon (near to Burgas city) which is protected bird site.
Madzharovo is the only one place in Bulgaria where you have a chance to photograph three vulture species - Griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture and black vulture, Golden eagle, White-tiled eagle and Black kite, possiblilities for buzzards, wolf and fox. Time to go to the hide - 40 min. (15 minutes off-road) from the hotel with 4x4 vehicle.
In the hide is also bed for two persons, chairs with height adjustment and panoramic windows with dimensions of 0.9 x 0.35m. Dark clothes are required. The most suitable lenses - 400 - 500mm.
Excellent opportunities for flight shots of landing birds.
One of the photo hides in the yard of the cottage overlooks a small pond where birds land to drink water. The hide is suitable for two. Photographying in the hide is from a sitting position and we provide comfortable chairs that can be adjusted according to our guests preferences.
