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This site isn’t included in the new book Finding Birds in Eastern Bulgaria. These notes and map, reproduced from the original book, Finding Birds in Bulgaria, were provided by Martin Peers

Attraction

The next ski-resort to the east of Maljovice, and another site where Wallcreepers can be reliably seen in summer. Other birds include Goshawk, Nutcracker (common), Pallid Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Alpine Accentor, Rock Bunting and (according to Gooders) Shorelark. River valleys lower down offer birds such as White Stork and Syrian Woodpecker.

Getting there

From Samokov (see page 20) continue South-west on route 42 towards Kostenets. Borovets is the first village, after about 12 km.

Notes

1.There are plenty of marked walks through the forests around Borovets. In July 1993, Nutcrackers were common here and other birds included Goshawk, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Bonelli’s Warbler, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Crossbill and Serin. A local observer commented that Golden Eagles had been found poisoned here recently.  Pallid Swifts nest on some of the hotels in Borovets, with Red-rumped Swallows near Hotel Rila.

2.The tops can be reached easily by taking the gondola chairlift from Borovets. Birds seen here included Alpine Accentor, Dipper, Raven and Black Redstart plus numerous Dunnocks, Linnets, Water Pipits and Ring Ousels. The star bird though is the Wallcreeper which can be reliably found at Musala Hut where the birds were very obliging in July 1993.

3.The quiet road to Samokov via Beli-lskar makes an attractive walk, passing through varied habitats including forests, riversides, scrubby and stony grassland, cultivated areas and a gorge. Birds along here included numerous Red-backed Shrikes,Redrumped Swallows, Crag Martins, Crested Larks, Cirl Buntings and Serins plus4 calling Quail and a Woodlark. In and around Samokov were 12 White Storks, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, and 2 Syrian Woodpeckers.

4.By taking the well-marked walk from Borovets to Black Rock I saw Goshawks, Buzzards and Nutcrackers as well as the Crag Martins and Red-rumped Swallows which were nesting at the rock.