Insects were observed as well.44 <strong>Mammal</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Eastern</strong> Rhodope <strong>Bulgaria</strong>
7. RECORDS OF NON-MAMMAL SPECIESDuring a field workshop, attention is mainly given to mammals, but there is also a tradition of lookingfor all kinds of wildlife. Participants in field workshops are also on the lookout for birds, amphibians,reptiles and insects. This resulted in an impressive list of encountered species.There were sightings of Black stork (Ciconia nigra), Monk vulture (Aegypius monachus), Imperial eagle(Aquila heliaca), Lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus),Levant sparrowhawk (Accipter brevipes), Lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor), Spanish sparrow (Passerhispaniolensis), Sombre tit (Parus lugubris) and Black-headed bunting (Emberiza melancephala).The lists of amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and dragonflies are impressive as well. Grasshoppersand crickets are not included in this report, because we were unable to identify many of the encounteredspecies. Other special sightings were for instance <strong>Eastern</strong> spadefoot (Pelobates syriacus), Kotschy’sgecko (Cyrtodactylus kotschyi), Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata), Balkan wall lizard (Podarcistaurica), Sand boa (Eryx jaculus), <strong>Eastern</strong> woodland grayling (Hipparchia syriaca), Argynnispandora, Lycaena ottomanus, Tarucus balkanica, Hipparchia fatua, Kirinia roxelana, Somatochlorameridionalis, Orthetrum albistylum and Southern migrant walker (Aeshna affinis).7.1. BirdsA total of 97 bird species were seen. The (reduced) list below shows the more interesting speciessighted. A full list of encountered bird species is included as Appendix I to this report. In this appendix,you will find both the Scientific names, the English names and the Dutch names of (next to) allspecies. The surroundings of the <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Rhodopes</strong> offer quite a broad selection of birds. Due to hightemperatures during the day (in late summer), it was not always possible to make the most out of birdwatching and discover the full range of its diversity. Many interesting songbirds could not be found,whereas these species are without a doubt easily spotted in the springtime.The abundance of birds of prey, and in particular vultures, could be noticed every day. Egyptian vultures(Neophron percnopterus) and Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) were seen practically everywhere.What’s this?<strong>Mammal</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Eastern</strong> Rhodope <strong>Bulgaria</strong> 45