SREBARNA RESERVE

by Bulgarian Properties Market Bulgarian Properties Market

The lake of Srebarna is situated by the Danube river, 18 km west of the village of Vetren, North-eastern Bulgaria near the Silistra. Its uniqueness is due to the fact that it is a main “station” along what is known as Via Pontica, the most important migration route of the birds of passage, which starts from Northern Europe and reaches Central Africa. The lake itself and its surrounding land were made a preserve in 1948, the guarded area being 600 hectares plus a buffer zone of 543 hectares.

Some rehabilitation work has been carried out in order to restore its broken natural connection with the Danube, which guarantees the maintenance of its water supply. The depth of Srebarna varies between 1 and 3 metres. The whole lake is overgrown with reed and other water plants. Its flora is represented by 67 species of plants, some of which are rarely found in Europe.

In the preserve there are 39 mammals, 21 reptiles and amphibians, and a dozen of fish species, among which pike, goldfish, rudd, etc. The micro-climate, flora, fauna and other conditions of Sreburna make it a paradise for the feathered creatures. Over 100 bird species nest here - Dalmatian pelican (the only colony in this country), pygmy cormorant, egrets/herons, glossy ibis, spoonbill, mute swan, ruddy shelduck,

gray lag goose, ducks, diving ducks, grebes, marsh harrier, terns, red-spotted bluethroat, bearded tit, etc. In 1975 Srebarna was included in the Ramsar convention for protecting damp zones with international significance. In 1977 it was made a biosphere preserve on UNESCO’s list. In 1983 it was put on UNESCO’s list of monuments of world cultural heritage and nature sights.

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