A monthly field guide for wildlife photographers and birdwatchers in Romania.
Discover which species are relevant in May, where to look for them, when they are active and how to prepare for photographing them responsibly.
Off: only months confirmed by a Romanian source. Beginner-friendly shows species marked Easy to observe.
118 species
Based on species with reviewed monthly data.
Crex crex · Cristel de câmp
Why this month
Arrives in April–May and departs for its wintering grounds in southern Africa at the end of summer.
Where to look
Listen at night in late spring in traditionally managed hay meadows in the hills.
Lanius minor · Sfrâncioc cu frunte neagră
Why this month
Usually arrives from late April–early May and leaves towards the end of August; winters in southern Africa.
Where to look
Wires and poplar rows along farm roads from May.
Ichthyaetus melanocephalus · Pescăruș cu cap negru
Why this month
An early spring migrant, seen consistently from March, returning to the wintering grounds by late October.
Where to look
Black Sea coast and coastal lakes from March to October; autumn flocks at Lake Techirghiol.
Lanius collurio · Sfrâncioc roșiatic
Why this month
SOR records arrival from late April or early May and departure towards the end of August.
Where to look
Scan the tops of thorny bushes and fence lines in open meadows and pastures from late spring to late summer.
Emberiza melanocephala · Presură cu cap negru
Why this month
Usually arrives from late April–early May and leaves for the wintering grounds towards the end of August.
Where to look
Dobrogea scrub and field edges from May.
Sylvia atricapilla · Silvie cu cap negru
Why this month
Migratory in Romania; isolated birds may stay in mild winters.
Where to look
Shrubby woodland edges and parks from April.
Merops apiaster · Prigorie
Why this month
SOR records arrival in late April or early May and departure in August.
Where to look
Listen for the call over open valleys and look for birds lined up on wires in summer.
Coracias garrulus · Dumbrăveancă
Why this month
SOR records arrival in late April or early May and departure in August.
Where to look
Wires and isolated trees in open lowland country in summer.
Falco vespertinus · Vânturel de seară
Why this month
Arrives from late April or early May and leaves for wintering areas at the end of September.
Where to look
Open plains in the south-east and west in summer, often on wires near tree lines.
Himantopus himantopus · Piciorong
Why this month
Present in May
Where to look
Shallow flooded fields, fishponds and lagoons in the lowlands from April.
Hieraaetus pennatus · Acvilă mică
Why this month
Present in May
Where to look
Scan forest edges next to open farmland in Dobrogea from April to August.
Sterna hirundo · Chiră de baltă
Why this month
Present in May
Where to look
Lakes, fishponds and the Delta from April; watch for hovering birds that plunge-dive for fish.
Showing 12 of 118 species
Monthly results use the seasonality information available in the Wild By Nick Wildlife Encyclopedia. Source-verified records are prioritised. Estimated timing is clearly marked, and missing data does not imply that a species is absent. Exact nests, dens and sensitive wildlife locations are never shown.