A monthly field guide for wildlife photographers and birdwatchers in Romania.
Discover which species are relevant in October, 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.
76 species
Based on species with reviewed monthly data.
Sterna hirundo · Chiră de baltă
Why this month
A migratory breeder that arrives from April and leaves for the wintering grounds in September–October.
Where to look
Lakes, fishponds and the Delta from April; watch for hovering birds that plunge-dive for fish.
Falco subbuteo · Șoimul rândunelelor
Why this month
A breeding migrant that arrives in Europe from April and leaves for its African winter quarters in October.
Where to look
Open country with scattered trees from April to October; watch for fast, low hunting flights at dusk.
Anser albifrons · Gârliță mare
Why this month
Arrives from October and returns to the breeding grounds in March.
Where to look
Open farmland in Dobrogea and the south-eastern plains between October and March.
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.
Branta ruficollis · Gâscă cu gât roșu
Why this month
Arrives from October and returns to the breeding grounds in March.
Where to look
Scan large goose flocks on farmland in Dobrogea and Bărăgan in winter for the smaller, darker birds.
Saxicola rubetra · Mărăcinar mare
Why this month
Usually arrives from April and returns to the wintering grounds in October.
Where to look
Damp, extensive meadows in hill country from April; scan the tallest stems and posts.
Cygnus cygnus · Lebădă de iarnă
Why this month
Arrives from the end of October and returns to the breeding grounds in February or early March.
Where to look
From late October to February, check large lowland wetlands and nearby farmland, where flocks feed by day.
Ciconia nigra · Barză neagră
Why this month
SOR records arrival from March and departure in late September or early October.
Where to look
Forest streams and rivers in hill and mountain areas, from a distance.
Platalea leucorodia · Lopătar
Why this month
SOR records arrival from February or March and departure in late autumn, October–November.
Where to look
Shallow lagoons and lakes in the Danube Delta in summer.
Plegadis falcinellus · Țigănuș
Why this month
SOR records arrival from late March, with some birds staying into October, occasionally November.
Where to look
Flooded meadows and marshes of the Danube Delta in summer.
Circus cyaneus · Erete vânăt
Why this month
Northern birds winter here, mainly from October to March or early April.
Where to look
Open farmland and marsh edges in the lowlands in winter, often late in the afternoon.
Tringa totanus · Fluierar cu picioare roșii
Why this month
Migratory, with larger numbers on spring and autumn passage: spring migration begins in March, and in autumn larger numbers can be seen until October.
Where to look
Muddy lake edges and wet meadows from March to October; a few remain in winter.
Showing 12 of 76 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.