Description

Well, this holiday isn't all about birds, but as Bulgaria's most important migration bottleneck site, it's certainly a good place to find them.

Not all 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. Between jolly and sociable days wading in the sea creating safe artificial nesting sites, 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, founded by the Apollonians, became rich through the export of salt and wine, finding 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 thousands of 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 apartments 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, Pomorie, Bourgas, and Atanasovsko Lake reserve.

Nessebar Architectural Reserve has a history dating back to BC and is UNESCO site. Bourgas is the 5th biggest city in Bulgaria one of the biggest ports on the Black sea with beautiful Seaside garden and diverse shopping outlets.

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. In the close surroundings of the town of Pomorie there is a Thracian tomb, which together with the Kazanluk Tomb and the one near Mezek is one of the most interesting tombs in Bulgaria. The St. George monastery will complement the Pomorie sightseeing tour.

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 and harriers.

Qualifications

You must be 18. No previous experience necessary.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

510 GBP

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Eco-tourism
• Volunteering

Age Range

18-80

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Other

Typically The Application Process Time is

n/a

BTCV's Mission Statement

A better environment where people are valued, included and involved. Mission: To create a more sustainable future by inspiring people and improving places. Values: BTCV's values are integral to all our work. They have been developed through four decades of a 'hands-on' approach to conservation activities. During this time we have adapted to meet the changing needs of communities, we care about people, the communities in which they live and the quality of their environment.

Year Founded

1959