Spotting birds in the Danube Delta

The Danube Delta is a great place for birdwatching (especially during spring, around April-May), where you can spot over 300 various resident and migratory bird species. It is a protected biosphere and a UNESCO World Heritage site in which water takes a proportion of 75% of the Delta, creating a safe place for shorebirds and birds alike.

Chasing birds

The first thing I noticed when I moved to the Netherlands was the abundance of green spaces that filled the cities, as well as the various birds that brought life to the streets. The Rose-ringed Parakeet immediately caught my eye, its loud screeches and vivid green plumage made it impossible to ignore. Nearby, the Great Crested Grebe swam gracefully across canal waters, a peaceful contrast to the noisy parakeets and busy urban backdrop.

These familiar birds, which accompanied me on my daily commute to my archaeology courses, reignited my passion for birdwatching. They became the spark for a journey I had been meaning to make for a while: a return to the Danube Delta.

Great Crested Grebe photographed in Leiden using an iPhone 13 and a pair of binoculars

My first visit to the Delta was in 2013, attending the Romanian Ornithological Society’s one-week summer camp. I was immediately captivated by the colourful birds and marshy landscape. Each day, I woke up at the crack of dawn, thrilled to participate in bird ringing and various activities. I was in absolute awe, especially when I spotted a flash of blue flying past me right as we were leaving the Delta. It was a Kingfisher, which has become one of my favourite birds since then.

Twelve years later, I return to the Danube Delta hoping to photograph the swift Kingfisher and observe as many other bird species as possible.

Kingfisher with a fish in its beak in the Danube Delta photographed with Canon EOS 700D

A Boat tour into the Delta

One of the easiest ways to explore the Delta is by joining a boat tour, most of which depart from Tulcea. Here are a few things to keep in mind when booking a boat tour for the best birdwatching experience:

Choose a boat that moves slowly and quietly so as not to disturb nearby birds.
Ideally begin your tour in the early morning, with evening being the next best option. Midday tends to be the time of the day with the least activity.
April-May is the best period for visiting, as it is the prime time for migration and breeding, thus increasing the chances of seeing diverse species. I went in August (the nesting season), which is not an ideal time to go, but you can still see quite a lot of birds.

For bird photography, I used a Canon EOS 700D with a lens of 18-135 mm and f/3.5-5.6, which was decent enough in capturing photos for identification. This was due to the fact that most pictures I took were of birds less than 10 metres away from me. For higher-quality photos and capturing birds further away, it is recommended that you use a lens with a focal length of at least 300 mm or ideally 400 mm.

Gallery

Below are a few pictures of the birds I was able to photograph. It was truly an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone interested in birds or simply likes to spend time in nature.