Bird-Watching in the Danube Delta – Dobrogea, Romania, is a unique opportunity to admire the beauty that nature has to offer in this paradise of the aquatic world. Enjoy a boat trip while watching hundreds of bird species, as well as other wild animals and plants. Get ready for a unique natural spectacle in the world, while browsing different channels and lakes.
Things to do
Danube Delta
The wonderful Danube Delta is the second-largest and most preserved delta in Europe. This goes from the black forest, about 2900 kilometers to the Black Sea. Without a doubt, this is the ideal place for wildlife lovers, especially for bird lovers. You can enjoy this incredible sanctuary with more than 300 species of birds, being the largest cane field in the world and one of the last wild areas in Europe. You can’t stop admiring wading birds, European water birds and some exotic species such as white pelicans and bright herons of ibis squacco.
Tours
The Danube Delta is so large that it is divided into three main channels, which in turn are divided into many more networks of canals and lakes where you can run into different species of birds and other animals, as well as wild plants. One of these places is Lake Rosca, located between the Chilia Veche and Periprava villages, on the coast. This lake is home to the largest white pelican colony in Europe. You can also observe some goose and storks.
On the other hand, Maliuc is one of the youngest settlements and is where Lake Fortuna is located, near Crisan, one of the largest lakes in the region. In this area, you can admire the beautiful swans, some chickens, and wild ducks, as well as white pelicans resting. It is a particularly rewarding experience for birdwatchers. In addition, there are also areas of grasslands, heather and even some forests, which provide habitats for even more species.
Bird-Watching
Among the different birds that you will observe, as mentioned above, there are several species of pelicans, such as the white pelican and the Dalmatian pelican. The latter has been increasing over time. The Pygmy Cormorant is best observed during winter, as is the Little Egret. In addition, Ferruginous Duck is present in Lake Somova, the last place on the continent to admire this species. Without a doubt, you cannot miss the opportunity to admire more than half of the world’s population of red-breasted Goose in the Razim-Sinoe lagoon and the coastal plain south of the Delta.
Other species
Being such a wide environment, it is impossible not to bump into other animals. Among those, you can find otters and minks. In addition, there are also thousands of fish, turtles, and lizards. Hidden in the forest are foxes, wild boars, cats, wolves, and wild horses. On the other hand, there are not only more species of animals, but there is also an incredible variety of wild and exotic plants, as well as trees with more than 500 years. This remote desert without roads has a unique feeling of the end of the world and is considered primarily as a refuge for wildlife.
How to get there
Most of the boats and tourist centers for the Danube Delta are the Tulcea. The nearest airport is Tulcea Airport (TCM). In addition, you can also visit independently: from the city of Tulcea, there is river transport to the main tourist bases of Crisan, Sulina and Sfântu Gheorghe.
When to go
April-May and September-October are the best times for birds, with migratory species that stop between Africa and Siberia. May, when all summer breeding species arrive, is ideal.
How long do I go for
Most delta tours last three to five days. However, you can also take a quick one-day tour.
Opening and Closing Hours
The schedules of the routes vary according to the days. However, boats leave from 6 in the morning from Tulcea.
Planning
It is always advisable to book your plane tickets and accommodation in advance. Hotel options range from common hotels, floating hotels, boathouses and private homes in Chilia Veche, Crisan, Gura Portitei, Mahmudia, Maliuc, Samova, among other places. In addition, you can find a fisherman or a small group of tourists to reach the bird watching places. Best of all, probably, is to join a bird watching tour.
Inside Information
The descendants of Ukrainian fugitives and Lipovani have maintained their ancient fishing culture in wooden villages throughout the delta. They are fascinating places to visit. On the other hand, you can not miss the traditional food in the restaurants in Tulcea or in small places in the villages. Remember to bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
History
Since 1951 it has been studied and an investigation has been carried out in this area of the country to be able to decipher how many species exist in the area. Two decades later, by 1971, it was established that there were 270 species of birds, of which 98 do not reproduce while 176 do. In turn, these species are divided into their origin: the Arctic, Siberian, European, Mediterranean, Mongolian and Chinese. Geographically speaking, most of the Danube Delta is in Romania, the other small part is in Ukraine. However, only the part belonging to Romania was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1991. Subsequently, in 1998, it was fully established as a biosphere reserve.
Websites
Other Nearby Attractions
Maramures
Take a trip back in time to this charming and picturesque place in Romania. A small and cozy town full of culture and traditionalism, being the most beautiful region of the country according to many travelers. Enjoy a walk on its beautiful wooded slopes, admire the wooden churches and perfectly designed farms. The peasants are very friendly, characteristic of medieval Romania. You can not fail to contemplate the architecture, the roofs of slats, bell towers that reflect a Gothic style, the interiors with biblical themes and much more. Live the experience to the fullest by accompanying the locals to Sunday mass and visiting the Sapanta cemetery to observe the beautiful and colorful wooden tombstones.
Cycling through Transylvania
Transylvania is a beautiful place that is worth visiting completely. In this way, take a bicycle and start your journey through meadows that appear to be infinite, admire the beautiful flowers of the hillside, enjoy an incredible landscape in the Carpathian Mountains. In addition, you can meet many wonderful little villages full of culture. Feel the wind hit your face, the smell of the forest fills your lungs and you feel completely at peace. If you want to know more about this activity, you can take a look at our article Cycling through Transylvania – Romania
Bucarest
Prepare to live many incredible experiences in the capital of Romania. Walk its beautiful streets full of rich architecture in its buildings, its colorful gardens, avenues completely full of trees and spectacular lakes. Among the places you can visit in this city, are the Arc de Triomphe. It is located on Kisseleff Avenue. In addition, the imposing Palace of Parliament has a design worthy of admiration. You can also observe the Cismigiu Park.
