A new home for the birds of Pomorie Lake

The island was shaped by cutting an old useless dyke, which was constructed in the 70s for the needs of the salt production industry. The new habitat is appropriate for the birds that are naturally nesting on the ground and are thus being extremely vulnerable because of the free access of terrestrial predators and humans to their nests.

The work of the experts from Green Balkans NGO was rewarded by the great number of birds which have chosen the new habitat for their nesting place. In July 2013 on the island were registered about 3000 pairs from several significant for the wetland species: Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis), Little Tern (Sterna albifrons), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). On the island successfully nested also Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus), Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica) and Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus). The island was also highly appraised by international experts who participated in a seminar for exchange of information on wetland conservation practices. The seminar took place in Pomorie in April 2013 within the activities of project LIFE10/NAT/IT/000256 ‘Environmental Management and Conservation in Mediterranean salt works and coastal lagoons’.

The insular habitat is also a secure place for rest for thousands of migratory birds following the Via Pontica migration route every year (pelicans, herons, waders, etc.). This improves the conservation status of a number of bird species that a subject of protection by the national and international legislation. Such initiatives support the implementation of the goals set in a number of trans-governmental agreements such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, The Birds Directive of the EU (2009/147/ЕО) and other documents.

The new insular habitat was constructed within project ”Urgent Measures for Restoration and Conservation of Species and Habitats of European Significance within Pomorie Lake Complex of Protected Natural Areas”, funded by Operational Program “Environment” 2007-2013 of the EU. The successful implementation of this environmental initiative is a good example for partnership between governmental authorities (Ministry of Environment and Waters of Bulgaria) and non-governmental organizations (in the person of Green Balkans NGO) with the aim of observing the responsibilities listed in a number of international agreements ratified by the Republic of Bulgaria.

For additional information:
Dimitar Popov – Green Balkans NGO
dpopov@greenbalkans.org