Today, this landscape is home to 81 wildlife species listed on the IUCN Red List and hosts 60% of all raptor species found in Europe. For birders, it is a remarkable destination with over 400 recorded species, ranging from massive vultures and eagles to tiny, elusive warblers hiding in the reeds. Here are three key spots that should not be skipped when visiting this region.
Danube Delta – the Everglades of Europe
Often called the “Everglades of Europe” due to its rich biodiversity, the Danube Delta is a vast, largely intact ecosystem in Romania, with its northern reaches extending into Ukraine. It is defined by an intricate network of canals, marshes, and lakes. Its expansive reed beds – the largest continuous marshland in Europe – welcome over 300 species of birds, many of which are migratory.
If you aim to spot Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans, icons of European conservation, look to the sky, as they tend to soar in large groups or congregate at shallow lakes like Rosu and Puiu to feed. If you are patient and cautious, you may catch a glimpse of the elusive Little Bittern hiding in reedbeds or flying low over water at dawn. The White-tailed Eagle is a frequent yet wary resident, often spotted perched in tall, skeletal trees along the main channels. The Squacco Heron is also common, though its plumage allows it to blend perfectly into the reeds, making it a challenge to distinguish until it takes flight.
To spot these camouflaged species, thermal binoculars are a game-changer. Their expansive detection range allows for comfortable scanning of the “green wall” of reeds from a distance, revealing heat signatures against the cool water and dense foliage.
Burgas Wetlands – the gateway of the Via Pontica
The Black Sea Coast, and particularly the Burgas Wetlands in Bulgaria, represents one of the most ecologically significant regions in Europe. Burgas is surrounded by four large lakes and the incredibly biodiverse Poda Protected Area. During autumn and spring, massive concentrations of soaring birds rest here before crossing the sea or the Balkan Mountains.
The Burgas Wetlands are one of the best places to see the globally threatened Red-breasted Goose; in winter, they arrive near the coast in spectacular numbers. In summer, it is worth waiting until dusk, when the rare Collared Pratincole is most active. At sunrise, you may hear a scratchy song echoing from the coastal reed fringes – this is likely the rare and elusive Paddyfield Warbler. If you are searching for Greater Flamingos and Pied Avocets, check the shallow, pink-hued salt pans where they prefer to feed.
To increase your chances of seeing these rare species at dawn or dusk, a thermal device is essential. In high-density spots like Poda, where over 315 species have been recorded in just one square kilometer, thermal imaging allows you to distinguish the heat signatures of well-hidden birds that would otherwise remain a secret.
Eastern Rhodopes – the valley of the vultures
Located in southern Bulgaria, the Eastern Rhodopes were “discovered” by the international birding community relatively recently. While the area remains rugged and remote, its wild beauty is unmatched. Extending through a long east-west mountain chain that forms the border between Bulgaria and Greece, it offers a harmony of volcanic cliffs, Mediterranean scrub, and flowery grasslands.
This is one of the few places in Europe where three vulture species coexist. To see this “gigantic trio” – the Griffon, Egyptian, and Cinereous Vultures – scan the high volcanic cliffs and dedicated feeding stations. The elusive Blue Rock Thrush is also found here, typically perched on bare rocks and identifiable by its melodic, flute-like song in the early morning. More common but no less impressive is the Black Stork, which nests on forest cliffs and fishes in the river shallows. Look also for the Western Rock Nuthatch, identifiable by its unique mud-built nests stuck to cliff faces.
To see beyond the shadows of the cliffs, use thermal optics with high sensitivity. Since vultures and eagles often roost at night in their nests, thermal vision allows you to spot their glow from kilometers away before the sun rises and they take flight.
Whether you are witnessing the sky darken with thousands of migrating storks in Burgas or navigating the silent, misty channels of the Danube Delta, Romania and Bulgaria offer a birding experience that feels truly wild. Pack your thermal gear and discover the hidden wonders of the Black Sea Flyway.
