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Description
There's a variety of habitats around the village of Sfantu Gheorghe you can reach on foot. European Bee-eater are one of the most common species. They breed in every sandhill and you can hear their call all the time.
If you go east on the way to the beach you pass by a marsh and open habitats with bushes. In the marsh there is a colony of Whiskered Tern and you can see Ferruginous Duck and all species of herons as well. In the open habitats between the village and the sea you can find tons of songbirds like Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Whitethroat, Greater Whitethroat, Bluethroat during migration. At the beach you can go seawatching. There are chances for different waders like Eurasian Oystercatcher and Whimbrel you usually don't see on shore, gulls like Pallas's Gull, Mediterranean Gull and even Slender-billed Gull as well as terns like Sandwich Tern, Caspian Tern and Little Tern. If you are lucky you may even see a Black-throated Diver or Arctic Skua flying along the coast.
Another nice walk is north the village. If you leave Sfantu Gheorghe at the lighthouse and go north along a path at the edge of the forest you have good chances to see golden jackals, but also many birds like Spotted Flycatcher, Golden Oriole and Grey-headed Woodpecker. Especially in the area around the lighthouse there are many European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe and of course European Bee-eater, but also Lesser Grey Shrike and Little Owl.
If you want to go on boat trips going to Lacuna Sacalin or along the Tataru Canal is recommended. On the way to the lagoon you can hear many birds in the willows along the canal. Dalmatian Pelican and Great White Pelican are swimming on the river, Black-crowned Night Heron are sitting in the willows and several White-tailed Eagle are living along the canal. In the lagoon itself you can see fishing pelicans and huge colonies of terns and gulls breeding on the aquatic plants. Please consider that it is forbidden to enter most of the lagoon that is marked with buoys.
Along the Tataru canal you find open habitats as well as forests. There are many different birds like Thrush Nightingale, Golden Oriole, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Lesser Grey Shrike, Long-eared Owl, European Turtle Dove, Eurasian Hobby, Red-footed Falcon and many more.
Details
Access
Reaching the village of Sfantu Gheorghe is only possible by boat. There is a ferry connection from Tulcea to Sfantu Gheorghe (Tulcea - Baltenii de sus - Mahmudia - Sfantu Gheorghe) along the Saint George branch or you can arrange a speedboat transfer from any of the towns along the branch. From Mahmudia to Sfantu Gheorghe (50 km) for example it takes around one hour by speedboat for a price around 80 lei (16 euros) per person. The village has a small harbour where most of the boats arrive.
The roads in the village are mostly sand paths and there are nearly no cars, but many people have electric trikes there. The easiest way to explore the area is by foot because it is difficult to rent any vehicles in the village. There is a possibility to rent some bikes if you want to do a longer trip.
There is also the posiblility to do boat trips to Laguna Sacalin in the south and Lacul Rosu in the north.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Grassland , Scattered trees and bushes , Steppe , Sea , Reedbeds , City/villageConditions
Flat , Sandy , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Spring , Autumn , SummerBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Unpaved road , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , BoatBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
For boat trips or bikes I would always recommend to ask in the accommodation where you are staying. Maybe they offer boat trips themselves or they can organize something.