Nest Building - Strictly for the Birds

  Bulgaria

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2 September - 9 September 2009

Description: Well, this holiday isn't strictly for the birds, but as Bulgaria's most important migration bottleneck site, it's certainly a good place to find them.

Not 'strictly' because the area has a rich archaeological heritage, and is still home to the traditional methods of salt production that built the town of Pomorie. There'll be plenty of time off to explore the area, and the best of Bulgaria's golden beaches. The birding though, is not to be missed.

Where We're Working

Bulgaria, Black Sea-side, Pomorie town Pomoriisko Lake. To the North of Bourgas lie several saline lakes. Two of these, Pomoriisko and Atanasovsko, are amongst the most significant bird areas in Europe acting as resting sites for thousands of birds during the autumn migration. This is a typical bottleneck site along the Via Pontica flyway (the route used by birds migrating between Scandinavia and Africa), one of the most important migration routes in Europe and an attraction for birdwatchers from all over. Here, over 314 bird species can be seen (85% of the total number of species that can be seen in the country and on the Balkan Peninsula), among them a number of rare and threatened species storks, pelicans, avocets, all the raptor species of Europe and nearly all plover species. The region of Bourgas wetlands is a real treasure even for Bulgaria, a country known for its rich biodiversity particularly of birds. This has been recognised with the RAMSAR designation of Atanasovsko and Pomoriisko Lakes as "wetlands of international importance".

Pomorie is renowned for its therapeutic mud baths and is one of Bulgarias main producers of salt. Pomories ancient precursor, Anchialos, was founded by the Apollonians, became rich through the export of salt and wine, and found favour in the Roman era as an exclusive health resort. The lakeside sanatorium remains important to the area's economy, as does the locally produced aromatic dry Dimyat wine.

Who We're Working With

In 1988, the former totalitarian regime in Bulgaria committed what is considered one of the most serious crimes against the biological diversity of Europe. Throughout the country hundreds of thousand tons of poisonous chemicals (rodenticides) were spread to control vole and mouse populations. This caused the death of over a million wild birds wintering in Bulgaria. In December 1988, an informal group of students and scientists from Plovdiv University and the Ecology Institute gathered the carcasses of dead birds and organised the first environmental demonstration in the country. This small group gained instant recognition and the organisation GREEN BALKANS was established. In 1992, regional societies established in the country united in a national network under the name Green Balkans Federation of Nature Conservation NGOs. At the end of the year 2000, Green Balkans network comprised 4000 members united in 4 regional offices and 25 correspondent centres. Green Balkans has implemented more than 560 nature conservation campaigns with voluntary funds and the efforts of more than 1100 people. The federation is involved in a number of conservation activities including restoration of wetlands and habitats of rare and threatened species, nature-conservation legislation and sustainable development. BTCV has been working with Green Balkans for over 10 years providing organisational support and training, and complementing this with our International conservation Holiday programme.

What We'll be Doing

We'll be continuing our work constructing artificial stone and wooden islands for nesting of sandwich terns, common terns, and avocets, started back in 1997 during the first BTCV/Green Balkans working holiday. In addition, we'll be developing and constructing new underground nesting boxes for shelducks. This addresses a key problem of the coastal lakes region - lack of permanent nesting sites. Many people and predatory mammals (dogs and foxes) visit the area and the inner dikes, disturbing the nesting birds and destroying their eggs. This has caused a significant reduction in the number of bird species present in recent years. We'll be working on the southern shore of Pomoriisko Lake, about half a mile from our hotel accommodation. The birds are always around to distract us from our work - wheeling in the sky and feeding at the lake. Up to 12 Bulgarian volunteers will join us, mainly Green Balkans members, young people from Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, and elsewhere making for a great social working atmosphere - and lots of fun!

Usual working times are 9:00am to 1:00pm, but be prepared for flexibility depending on work priorities and weather.

Benefits Of Our Work

Building of artificial nesting islands directly promotes reproduction of these bird species. During the holidays carried out jointly with BTCV from 19972007 the number of nesting Sandwich Terns increased from 6 pairs to over 450 pairs in 2002 and over 1000 by 2004. The Bulgarian and international community regard these conservation activities as highly successful. The co-operation between Green Balkans and BTCV has established a long-lasting tradition. So far, 13 conservation holidays have been carried out in Pomoriisko Lake, creating lasting personal relations and friendships with local people both on the project and when they return to the Lake.

The joint work of BTCV and Bulgarian volunteers conserving bird diversity of the lake has been critical in promoting the idea of practical conservation locally. To locals, seeing people putting effort into the protection of something that is of global importance and yet so close to them, is encouraging further involvement in the conservation of their rich environment. Participating directly in constructing artificial islands, local students get involved in the idea of conserving biodiversity both locally and globally. On the 10th anniversary the conservation holiday was held under the patron of the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria General Angel Marin. He opened the holiday and took part in the first chain carrying construction material. Attracting public figures has helped raise the local and national interest in global biodiversity conservation.

Where We'll Be Staying

Top class accommodation for a working holiday! We're staying right on the beach in the Sunny Bay Hotel in Pomorie town. We'll be in shared double rooms and three person appartments all with en suite facilities.

It's so close to our beachside worksite that all our meals will be catered for in the hotel restaurant, so when we're not lugging buckets of sand and building nests, this holiday is a real chance to relax.

Highlights: All activities, and many excursions are organised by Green Balkans - and they always pull out all the stops to make a great holiday for everyone. We'll be working four to five hours each day, with several half-day trip opportunities built in.

As well as plenty of opportunity to relax and sunbathe on the beaches and swim in the Black Sea, we'll also have the choice of some short trips to the nearby seaside towns, villages, and interesting natural and historical sites. These include: Nessebar, Sozopol, Pomorie, Bourgas, Ropotamo nature Reserve, Strandja Nature Park and, Atanasovsko Lake reserve.

The Atanassovsko Lake Reserve, has an incredible diversity of birds to be seen - over 315 bird species can be observed close-up including avocets, herons, shelducks, eagles, harriers, etc.

The ancient peninsular town of Sozopol is renowned for its architectural style and archaeological museum, fortress walls and tower. Walking the cobble stone streets of the old town is a step backin time.

Ropotamo River and Nature Reserve will offer a walk in the exciting floodplain forests and an option to make a boat trip. Golden beaches and dunes as well as the Lions Head Rock - a unique natural landmark - add to the beauty of this Ramsar site and Strandja Nature Park is famous for its century old oak forests giving sanctuary to the greatest diversity of bats in Europe. It is also the only native site for the Pontic Rhododendron in Europe.

Pomorie itself is a resort town with a useful range of chemists, shops, restaurants, bars, Internet Cafes and banks - even a cash machine that works with various debit cards. On the Black Sea coast, the town has two beaches, providing various entertainment opportunities and attractive cafes at the sand beaches. On the bank of Pomoriisko Lake is the only Museum of Salt in the Balkans, displaying methods and techniques for salt production from lake-water.

Qualifications: You must be 18. No previous experience necessary.

Cost in US$: Approx. $675 (460 GBP - conversion correct at time of print)

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

Participants Travel to Bulgaria Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other

BTCV's Mission Statement: BTCV is the UK's largest practical conservation organization. It is a charity which involves over 130,000 people every year in projects to bring about positive environmental change. When BTCV was first established, over 40 years ago, most projects took place in the countryside and on nature reserves. The emphasis was on nature reserves. The emphasis was on improving rural landscapes and protecting habitats for wildlife. However it is not just; Countryside Landscape Wildlife But also Providing opportunities to volunteer Improving towns and cities Building communities Developing skills Helping people into work BTCV's remit has broadened considerably over the last four decades. We have evolved to meet the needs of an ever changing world. As far as conservation work is concerned, BTCV now offers volunteering opportunities in urban as well as rural locations, thus improving our towns and cities as well as the countryside. But beyond this, we also; give support to local groups train people in conservation and life skills run schemes - and take part in government initiatives - to help people secure employment.

Year Founded: 1959