Migratory passage or living place for many birds
Whether you are an avid birdwatcher or simply fascinated by the sight of a bird, there is a good chance that you will observe a great diversity of birds. 70% of the European species pass through or stay in Bulgaria. In the Eastern Rhodopes, raptors and predators are the kings. The country is on the passage of two migratory routes. In autumn, many birds take the "via Pontica". They remain in mass on the entire Black Sea coast, along the lake Atanassovo and further south. Another site for the discovery of a great variety of birds is the Dragoman marsh, about 40 km northwest of Sofia, on the "via Aristotelis". It is a place frequented by aquatic birds. Among the 226 species of birds recorded, 126 make their nests there.
The red-breasted goose, a rare species in danger of extinction, hibernates in winter in the southeast of Bulgaria. The best time to see it is at the end of January and in February at Lake Durankulak.
In the park of Srebarna, the curly pelican evolves. The pygmy cormorant has chosen Bulgaria as one of its favorite sites for hatching, the black stork returns to the Rhodopes every year. Walking in the rock formations of Belogradchik or near Varna, you could observe tiger butterflies.
The Belene nature reserve on the Danube is home to colonies of spoonbills, water birds with long black beaks that eat insects and crustaceans.
This diversity is so great that many trips to Bulgaria are exclusively devoted to bird watching throughout the country.
A diversified fauna
As far as mammals and other terrestrial animals are concerned, Bulgaria is diverse, with, among others, chamois and mouflons in the mountains and forests, wolves, squirrels... As far as domestic species are concerned, we can mention sheep, cows and horses. However, the lynx has disappeared for some years. You will see many cats and dogs in the streets and around the monasteries. Although they are wild, most of them are registered and monitored. The inhabitants feed them. Dogs are not aggressive, but be careful, especially if they are in groups.
bulgaria has about 3,000 deer, which makes it a stable population. So it is allowed to hunt male deer... In December 2019, residents near Karlovo spotted a white (albino) deer, a very rare animal. In Bulgarian belief, the white deer is a sign of new love, just like the white swallow, which in Bulgarian literature represents the hope of good health and a better life.
You may see sea snakes and garter snakes on the southern coast. In the caves of Hanadra live bats.
Veska bear welcomed at the Dancing Bear Park
For a long time the brown bears of the country were the "puppets" of a popular attraction led by the gypsies. The gypsies made them dance to the sound of a few chords of gadulka, a kind of violin. The gypsies used to carry their bears around on a chain by their noses and make them dance at fairs and on the Black Sea. When the chain was pulled, the bear had no choice but to stand up on its hind legs and perform. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation and the Four Paws Association created the Dancing Bear Park to save these animals from this entertaining cruelty. It is located in Belitsa, in the Pirin Park.
In October 2019, the park welcomed the bear Veska, entrusted by the Sofia Zoo following poor living conditions (enclosure too small, lack of appetite, disease ...). After difficulties of adaptation and a medical treatment, Veska went out in November for the first time in the open air in the park and has since recovered. He is getting better and better every day.
Although the figures are discussed between associations, the Ministry of Environment and hunters, it is estimated that between 600 and 1,200 brown bears are distributed between the Rhodopes, the Rila-Pirin and the Vitosha.
A thousand-year-old tree in the midst of a diverse flora
Primary and old beech forests are found all over the country. They are also often affected by fires but in good general condition. In the Pirin Park, near Bansko, stands the so-called "Great Lady of the Bulgarian Forest", the Baikoucheva Mura. It is a species of pine conifer that is, according to experts, one thousand three hundred years old, the oldest in Bulgaria, if not in Europe. It was discovered in 1897 by a forest ranger and silviculturist, Kostadin Baikuchev, who gave it its name. With a height of 30 m and a circumference of 7.6 m, this tree is impressive as much for its size as for its longevity and its majesty.
Among the plants and flowers, new species are formed in various places, especially in the Pirin, Central Balkan and Rhodope regions. Moreover, Bulgarian flora is also rich in endemic species (almost one hundred!). In Strandja, for example, there are species that have survived the great ice ages. A flower in the Rhodopes, the haberlea, has the particularity to save its vital functions even after a drying up. There are more than 60 species of wild orchids, which are of particular interest in the early spring. In the mountains, the edelweiss is king. There are also irises of all colors, ranunculus and peonies. The cultivation of sunflowers is very important in Bulgaria. It is from this plant turned towards the sun that a quality oil is produced. Let's not forget the Bulgarian rose (a complete file is dedicated to it), which grows in the Valley of the Roses. If you were wondering if there are truffles in Bulgaria, the answer is yes. The first truffle educational farm opened in late 2019, near Veliko Tarnovo. The first harvests were expected in the spring of 2020.
An area suitable for vine growing and wine production
Have you ever tasted Bulgarian wine? Maybe you haven't paid attention... but wine is an institution here. Almost the whole territory has wine-growing areas, each producing its own vineyard. This dates back to the Thracian period when wine was consumed during religious rituals. Several grapevines were imported at that time.
In the Danubian plain, territory of 30% of the Bulgarian vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon is produced. The harvest is done by hand.
In the Struma valley, with autochthonous vines (shiroka and melnishka, among others), it is also cabernets that come out of the barrels.
The Valley of the Roses produces mainly red muscatel and white wine, a variety also produced in the hills of Preslav, in the Black Sea region.
Bulgarians also produce their own wine, and you will see many vines hanging in front of the houses.
