Birdwatching Danube Delta – Long Weekend

Birdwatching in the Danube Delta

After breakfast we will begin our boat journey traveling down the main Sulina channel into the heart of the delta. For the next three days of the birdwatching tour we shall be aboard the pontoon boat / floating hotel exploring the Danube Delta. The day-to-day itinerary of the birdwatching tour shown here should be considered only an example of what we might do; as local conditions (e.g. weather, water depth in the channels of the Danube Delta) will determine the exact course of our tour. The Danube Delta is incredibly rich in breeding birds, and the outline given below is merely a sampler; no doubt we will encounter additional surprises. The Danube Delta comprises a vast complex of reed beds, willow forest, and wetland, crossed by an intricate network of channels. We shall explore as wide a variety as possible of these habitats, both on foot and using a combination of the pontoon boat and a small motorboat. The Sulina channel or branch that runs past Tulcea is wide and straight to facilitate shipping down the Danube and through to the Black Sea, so we shall aim to get access to the smaller, less disturbed channels where bird life is more abundant. Typical sights include feeding Glossy Ibis, egrets, herons, and cormorants, which can gather in impressive numbers where the water levels are low. Large flocks of White Pelicans glide serenely overhead whilst in the shallower channels Kingfishers are ubiquitous and Common Sandpipers, Green Sandpipers and Greenshanks feed along the banks. The reeds fringing the waterways contain families of Penduline Tits and other reed bed species (including Little Bittern), although the smaller birds can be very hard to see at this time of year. Raptors will include frequent sightings of Marsh Harriers whilst the Red-footed Falcons will be seen in small groups hunting insects. The White-tailed Eagles are very quiet in the summer, but there is always a chance of locating one of the ten breeding pairs. Lake Furtuna, which is one of the large lakes, lies just to the north of Maliuc, in the heart of the delta. We will visit this site as, at this time of the year, it can hold an impressive selection of birds. Migrating waterfowl and waders mingle with resident species and White Pelicans often gather in huge numbers to feed and roost. We shall also undertake short birdwatching walks on land where willow forest yield further species of interest. In open areas Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Rollers and shrikes are very common. The woodlands support five species of woodpecker. The life style of the delta’s residents is also fascinating to see, with waterborne transport the only viable way of getting around and fishing the predominant source of income. A visit to the Danube Delta is an unforgettable experience in every aspect. The birdwatching tour in Danube Delta will end in Tulcea harbor.

Birdwatching trips and tours in Danube Delta Romania

Today we will leave the Danube Delta behind and we head toward the airport of Bucharest. The trip will take about 5 hours. Birdwatching is still possible on the way depending on the flight time.