Vast flocks of Red-breasted Geese, backed up by an impressive array of other waterbirds, raptors and select specialities, the coast of the Black Sea offers some of the best winter birding in Europe. A five-day mini break, this trip combined the riches of the Durankulak area with excursions to lakes surrounding Burgas and a short trip into the Western Rhodopes mountains.

To a setting sun, the evening flight of 70,000 White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese was the major highlight of the trip, all the more evocative for the Hen Harriers circling in their midst and Golden Jackals calling in the background. In weather that exceeded expectations, other memorable birds included Dalmation Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorants, Syrian Woodpeckers and Sombre Tit. However, for all the birds, it was a mammal that truly stole the show - sunbathing outside a cave, a stunning European Wild Cat, a bonus I really did not expect.

European Wild Cat, thousands of Red-breasted Geese, Bulgaria provided the best of February's highlights, but Lithuania also turned up a few trumps. My Labanoras feeders attracted both White-backed Woodpecker and Grey-headed Woodpecker, as well as a Great Grey Shrike and Pygmy Owl, both the latter hunting passerines at the feeding station. Elsewhere, Crested Tits and various finches continue to visit in the garden in Vilnius and, in the wilder countryside, the Pygmy Cormorant remained at Elektrenai and Shore Larks appeared by country roads.