Radio Bulgaria

The bigger part of the Rhodope Mountains is situated in Bulgaria and includes the northern slopes and the greener part of the range, related to the legend of Orpheus. The Rhodope Mountain is characterized by rich biodiversity. During the last years measures had to be taken in the Central Rhodopes in order for people to stay more protected from the vast population of bears. However, today we are to focus on the diversity of bird species in the Central Rhodopes. Here is more from Georgi Georgiev, an expert of the Regional Environment Inspectorate in the town of Smolyan.

“There are more than 300 bird species in the region. Probably, the most interesting for tourists are the birds of prey like the falcon, hawk, buzzard. The Falco cherrug and the Falco peregrinus can also be seen in the Central Rhodopes. A few couples of Aquila chrysaetos have nests here too, as well as owls.

Which is the favorite bird of Georgi Georgiev?

“I am most pleased when I see the rock eagle, which is the biggest bird in the region. It can be easily recognized in the sky due to the characteristic V-shape of the wings when in flight. These birds are excellent pilots and fly perfectly well in dusk through forests, without making any sound. This is the way they hunt,” the expert explains.

The average altitude of the Central Rhodopes is about 800 meters and the forests are characterized by great biodiversity. There one can hear the beautiful songs of the birds, especially in the spring. The songs of the nightingale and the skylark bring pleasure to the ear. Some lovers of nature come to the Rhodopes especially for the song of the Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria). This bird makes its nests in high rocks such as those in the Trigrad Gorge. The bird’s wings are brightly colored which creates beautiful contrast at the backdrop of the snowy rocks and attracts a number of photographers.

“These birds make very characteristic sounds and are beautifully colored,” Mr. Georgiev says. “It is a curious fact that the bird’s belly and neck are black in the summer, while they become white during winter. Wallcreepers live permanently and nest in the rocks of the region of the Trigrad Gorge and near the town of Asenovgrad. Another interesting singer among the birds in the Rhodope is the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus.) I want to point out that most of the birds in the Central Rhodope are protected species. During the breeding period Tetrao urogallus makes a sound like hard knocking on wood. During this song the bird cannot hear anything else. Hunters use this fact to get close to the birds. Others just want to enjoy their song.”

In the winter, however, the most frequent sound in the Rhodope forests is that made by the woodpecker.
“There are few woodpecker species in the Rhodope Mountains, including the Dryocopus martius, the Picus canus. The biggest one in size is the black woodpecker, followed by the beautiful woodpeckers with green body and red head. Actually, most of the woodpeckers are very elegant. They are the easiest to be observed in the winter, as well as some of the birds of prey, like the falcon and hawks, living in the mountain,” Georgi Georgiev concludes.

English: Alexander Markov