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Beschrijving
A river valley high in the Pirin (Пирин) Mountains between Vihren (2914 m) and Todorin Vrah (2746 m), this site holds an excellent range of alpine and subalpine birds. Above the 2,300-2,400 m tree line, the grassy slopes have Steenarend, Alpenkauw, Raaf, Alpenheggenmus, Waterpieper, Strandleeuwerik (the Balkan subspecies balcanica with extensive black on the throat, a likely future species split), Beflijster (alpine subspecies alpestris), Grijze Gors and if you are lucky, Rotskruiper.
The mixed conifer forests are important for Notenkraker (look for them collecting seed from Macedonian Pine [Pinus peuce] cones), Kruisbek (on my visit, two different forms, one small-billed, feeding on Norway Spruce [Picea abies] cones, the other large-billed and closely resembling Grote Kruisbek, feeding on Balkan endemic Bosnian Pine [Pinus heldreichii] cones), Matkop (the alpine subspecies montanus), Grijskopspecht, Zwarte Specht, Goudhaan, Vuurgoudhaan, Taigaboomkruiper and Kuifmees. The alpine chalets hold breeding Vale Gierzwaluw and Rotszwaluw, both of which feed widely over the valley, and Zwarte Roodstaart.
Lower down, the mixed woodland around Bansko holds Middelste Bonte Specht (which can even be seen in parks and gardens in Bansko) and Boomkruiper. Also look for passage migrants like Spotvogel and Fluiter. Open areas have Bonte Kraai, Europese Kanarie, and Cirlgors as well as Geelgors. Overhead, Roodstuitzwaluw feed together with more familiar Huiszwaluw and Boerenzwaluw. The river holds Waterspreeuw and Grote Gele Kwikstaart along its full length.
Details
Toegang
The mountain resort of Bansko (Банско) has an excellent range of accomodation and can be reached easily by train or bus from the capital Sofia. From Bansko, the best option is to hire a taxi to either the Banderitsa Chalet (Хижа Бъндерица, 14 km) or Vihren Chalet (Хижа Вихрен, 16 km), where you can also stay to explore the area, or walk along the many footpaths back to Bansko.
Terrein en leefgebied
Bos , Berg , Kloof/klif , Verspreide bomen en struiken , Grasland/weide , Dal , Toendra , Rivier , Stad/dorpOmstandigheden
Bergachtig , Open landschap , Rotsachtig , HeuvelachtigRondlopende wandeling mogelijk?
NeeTelescoop meenemen?
NeeWanneer hier vogels kijken?
Lente , Herfst , ZomerToptijd voor dit gebied
Herfst , Lente , ZomerRoute
Verharde weg , Breed pad , Onverharde weg , Smal padZwaarte wandeling
PittigToegankelijk via
Te voet , AutoVogelkijkhut aanwezig?
NeeExtra info
My visit was in autumn, after most summer visitors had left. If there are other good species to be seen here in spring or summer, please leave a note below and I will add the details!
As well as the many birds, the site holds occasional Brown Bear and Wolf. It is botanically very rich, including the famous 'Байкушевата мура' ('Baikushev's pine'), an ancient Черна мура / Bosnian Pine (Pinus heldreichii) estimated to be over 1,300 years old, one of the oldest trees in the whole of Europe.
Thanks to Stivi Musievski for tips on additional birds that can be found here.
Gallery photo below of Notenkraker in the Banderitsa Valley by Amkramer, creative commons cc-by-4.0 license, from iNaturalist via Wikimedia Commons.