The state of the Nightingale in Bulgaria. - D.N. Nankinov. - Berkut. 11
(1). 2002. - P. 84-97.
Nightingale is widely distributed in Bulgaria in the lowlands and in the mountains
up to 1000 m altitude, but some pairs can breed up to 1350 m altitude. Except
the nominate subspecies (L. megarhynchos megarhynchos) it is possible some other
subspecies to be met in the country. It inhabits various places by reservoirs
with shrubs and forests with various shrubs. The Bulgarian breeding population
numbers about 320 000 pairs. The species is more numerous in the western part
of the country during the breeding period as well as during migrations. The
first spring migrants arrive in Bulgaria usually in the end of March and the
beginning of April. Single birds arrive earlier – they have been found
most early on February 16th and 24th. Migration is most intensive in April and
the beginning of May. The breeding period – from the building of the first
nests till the flying off of the last young, continues 105 days and proceeds
from April 17th till July 30th. About 5–10 % of the breeding pairs have
two hatches annually. The autumn migration is in August and the first half of
September, but single birds remain till November 10th. There is a strong breeding
conservatism – many adult and young birds return to breed on the old places.
Many of the Nightingales flying cross the country use one and the same migratory
routes and places for congregations. The population of the Nightingale in Bulgaria
is submitted to many negative factors among them are the usage of chemical poisons
in forestry and agriculture, numerous fires in the forests, ground predators
ets. Bulgarian Nightingales reach a maximum age of 5 years and 10 days. [English].
Key words: Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos, Bulgaria, distribution,
migration, breeding biology.
Address: D.N. Nankinov, Institute of zoology, BAS, Boul. “Tsar Osvoboditel”
1, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria.
