[balkantrek]

Hi Paul!

I saw your post appear on the site before Christmas but haven't had a chance to reply earlier. I would certainly recommend that you think about visiting the Bulgarian part of the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains. This is one of the top locations in Europe in terms of its biodiversity. Here are some statistics about the region: Some 1900 species of higher plant including many local, Bulgarian and Balkan endemics; about 300 species of birds including 36 species of birds of prey; some 70 species of mammal including good stable populations of brown bear and wolf, and at least 27 species of bat! As for invertebrates, the Rhodope (Rodopi) are one of the richest regions in Europe for butterflies, moths, dragonflies and many other types of bugs and beetles.

I am sure you would find it fascinating, so do try and include it in your travels some time!