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Potochnitsa Hills

Kardzhali Region  >  Bulgaria

Stony hills with bushes and low trees, open pastures and one of the BSPB vulture feeding stations; good place to see also some mediterranean specialities.

Added* by Petar Iankov
Most recent update 13 April 2020

Description

The area is composed of a mosaic of different habitats, including stony pastures, small valleys, bushlands and small trees. Here is situated one of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds' vulture feeding station, which attracts Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture and often Black Vulture, Imperial Eagle, Black Kite, Common Raven and other. Sardinian Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler and Eastern Orphean Warbler inhabit the bushland, on more open areas Isabelline Wheatear and Black-eared Wheatear can be seen. This is one of the places where Chukar occurs.

Details

Access

On Road 591 you can reach the village of Potochnitsa and from its centre to turn towards East, crossing the village. From the end of Potochnitsa you have to drive on a unpaved road towards the village of Stari Chal. There are several areas to be explored before reaching the little hamlet, after which the road goes uphill. Stop well before the feeding station near the road, to avoid disturbing the scavengers there. Between Potochnitsa and the little hamlet you can see Eastern Orphean Warbler and Olive-tree Warbler, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear and Black-eared Wheatear, Tawny Pipit and other. After leaving the car at about 0,5 km before the feeding station, you can explore the bushy area around for Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler and Olive-tree Warbler, to observe scavengers and eventually, Chukar and other.

Terrain and Habitat

Agriculture , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Plateau , Valley , City/village , Mountain

Conditions

Hilly , Flat , Dry , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

Spring , Summer

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Usually there is a person from BSPB, who guards the area, so you can obtain more information from him. You can get more detailed birding information also from the BSPB Vulture Centre in Madzharovo.

Entering your records into the free mobile application SmartBirds Pro https://smartbirds.org/ you will help Nature conservation in Bulgaria.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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