First topic message reminder :

Just wondered if anyone has spotted any storks this year? I think it's time for them to start arriving in certain parts of Bulgaria ? so it would be nice to hear from anyone who has seen any? and some pictures might be nice to

April Fools Day is the earliest time down here based on six years of looking out .

never ever seen one in 6 years yet the next village has loads of them. had a big big bird crash into our patio doors one year with a wing span the size of the doors but dont know for certain what it was.

I thought I saw two storks flying overhead when I was on the village bus last week. Its very early. The bus went too fast for proper recognition. They were big birds with long necks like storks but I couldn't see if they had the long legs. What other birds could they have been?
Loads of Martenitsas on sale in VT bazaar as usual but I usually wait until given them by village friends although I buy one for my beloved of course!
I don't give them myself because I feel its a very Bulgarian tradition.

oldun wrote:

I thought I saw two storks flying overhead when I was on the village bus last week. Its very early. The bus went too fast for proper recognition. They were big birds with long necks like storks but I couldn't see if they had the long legs. What other birds could they have been?
Loads of Martenitsas on sale in VT bazaar as usual but I usually wait until given them by village friends although I buy one for my beloved of course!
I don't give them myself because I feel its a very Bulgarian tradition.

I believe you saw eagrets oldun - I have seen a couple myself this past week, don't seem to see them in the summer though.

I can beat the lot of you. I saw a stork weeks ago nesting in my kitchen and have a picture to prove it

'Perfect for cakes' I didn't realise that

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Rakiaplease. Itchyfeet do Eagrets have very long necks like storks? What I saw would more likely be geese although with the mild weather this February its possible storks could be returning very early. I will have to check if our village storks are back yet. I hope we don't have another cold spell which is entirely possible before Spring really arrives.

oldun wrote:

Rakiaplease. Itchyfeet do Eagrets have very long necks like storks? What I saw would more likely be geese although with the mild weather this February its possible storks could be returning very early. I will have to check if our village storks are back yet. I hope we don't have another cold spell which is entirely possible before Spring really arrives.

Yes they have long necks like storks and are white of course, but not so long in the beak department!!

They weren't white but a dark colour.

I believe some storks are darker than others, I read this a few years ago but I can't remember were?

Your right Daisy I think they are from South America but not sure how one would get to bg unless it just got lost and joind up with a flock ?

Our storks are back!!! I haven't got out to get any photos yet, but I will later today. There was good footage on the news last night taken in my area and they seem to be settling in and getting down to 'stork business'.

They are a whole month earlier than I've seen in the last six years.

Spotted about 15 early today flying over Yambol.

Saw two yesterday in a village on the VT to Sofia road, so can now hang up the bracelets kindly given to us.