[paul m]

We're planning a tour for the year after next - probably centred on Hungary. So I'm hoping to hear more from Matra Man - Untitled Document - and others - about the treasures of the Balkans. Anyone know of other ecologically sound places to visit?
I did get to some iteresting places in Macedonia and Montenegro, many years back, wasn't too easy to get about at the time. I especially remember Lake Biograd, in the mountains - Mt Biograd National Park - Montenegro.com - where there were thousands of tiny frogs - about 1cm long when full grown.

[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!

[Matra Man]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you Paul. I haven't been much in evidence on the forums until recently. Didn't mean to ignore you !

You'll have to let me know nearer the time what you're interested in seeing, and I'll try to come up with some suitable suggestions.

2007 was my best-ever year for butterfly recording in Hungary, helped by having some expert butterfliers here. Thank goodness I decided to go digital a year ago. Now I can take loads of shots of those all important undersides, and identify even more butterflies without breaking the bank !

Best wishes, Colin.