Photo credit: Cornel Cotorogea/Green Balkans

Occupation and refurbishment of nests, copulations, and intense courtship flights have been observed (see the photo by Cornel Cotorogea).

The restored population, after the species had disappeared as a breeder in the country until 2021, currently numbers 16–18 pairs distributed in the Vratsa Balkan and Ponor areas — 10–11 pairs, and Kotel Mountain and Sinite Kamani — 6–7 pairs.

This year, for the first time, nesting may be established in Sakar, where 1–2 pairs of birds released in the Balkan Mountains are attempting to occupy territories.

Since last year, black vultures have also been released in Kresna, where 4 birds currently reside, but they are still young and not expected to start breeding yet.

We wish for all pairs to nest and raise the maximum number of chicks. We also wish success with the expected first nesting of the species in the Eastern Rhodopes, where our colleagues from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and Wilder Rhodopes are also working on its local restoration.