This is a bird photography tour focusing on the wintering pelicans of Lake Kerkini in Greece and the resident vulture species in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria.

On this tour we visit two different locations. The first one is Lake Kerkini in northern Greece, just over the Bulgarian-Greek border. It lies in a wonderful natural area along the Struma (Strimonas) river and forms one of Europe’s richest bird areas. Here we photograph Dalmatian Pelicans and Great White Pelicans. Traditionally hundreds of Dalmatian Pelicans spend the winter in the lake. In the recent years a small number of Great White Pelicans have also stayed over the winter and mixed with the Dalmatian Pelicans. As the pelicans feed and rest close to the shore, they are extremely tame and easy to approach. They have learnt to follow fishermen who willingly share part of their catch with them. This symbiosis makes wildlife photographers and bird watchers very happy.

In addition to the two species of pelicans, the lake offers good opportunities to photograph Greater Flamingo, Pygmy Cormorant, Great White Egret, Tundra (Bewick’s) Swan, Eurasian Spoonbill and many other wintering waterfowl.

The second place, which we visit on this tour is the Eastern Rhodope Mountains in Southern Bulgaria, where we manage several fixed (permanent) hides. The Eastern Rhodopes is an area of exceptional biodiversity in all seasons. Here we support the local vulture populations by regularly bringing carcasses to feeding sites. To photograph the feeding process we use the adjacent hides. Our targets for photography here are the resident Griffon Vulture and the Cinereous (Eurasian Black) Vulture. Apart from them, we also have good opportunities to photograph White-tailed Eagle, Common Buzzard and Common Raven from the hides. Occasionally a Red Fox, Wild Cat, Golden Jackal or Wolf will appear outside the hides.

At times when there is less activity at the hides, we can explore the area in search of other wildlife. We will visit a nearby reserve where reintroduced populations of European Bison and Red Deer roam free in the wild – another setting that makes for great wildlife photography.

If you wish to join one of our scheduled Winter Photography Tours, please check the availability.