Life for the Burgas lakes

Title: Ensuring Conservation of Priority Bird Species and Coastal Habitats at the Bourgas Natura 2000 Wetland Sites

Summary: The Bulgarian Black Sea coast consists of a complex of coastal wetlands providing important breeding and wintering habitats for a significant number of bird species. The complex is an important migration stop for hundreds of thousands of birds flying on the East-European migratory route “Via Pontica.” Notably, these coastal wetlands are the most significant breeding, wintering and staging sites in Europe for four globally endangered birds: pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus); Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus); white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala); and ferruginous duck (Aythya niroca) as well as the bittern (Botaurus stellaris).

Despite the wetlands being classified as Natura 2000 sites and being protected in specific areas according to national legislation, there are still major threats to these birds that need to be tackled. Many of these come from the immediate proximity of the major Black Sea port and tourist destination, Burgas. They include habitat change and disturbance, power lines, illegal killing, accidental net catching, and industrial accidents. The “Life for the Bourgas lakes” project aims to secure the long-term conservation of the five bird species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive and the sustainable management of their wetland habitats around the city of Burgas.

To achieve this, it plans to:

• Strengthen the strategic planning framework through: developing or updating specific National Action Plans for each target species and the conservation of wetlands; and incorporating appropriate strategies for priority species into SPA management plans;
• Maintain and enhance feeding, breeding and roosting habitats for the five priority bird species through: repair of dyke systems; deepening of target lagoons; cutting of reeds; and creation of roosting sites;
• Reduce the impact of threats to the birds through: response plans for industrial accidents; insulation and marking of dangerous electricity infrastructure; a predator control system; and mitigation measures against illegal fishing, hunting and pollution of key sites;
• Introduce a suitable system for monitoring the populations and site use of the targeted species into Natura 2000 site management plans;
• Enhance public understanding of and support for conservation of the priority bird species, their habitats and the wider Natura 2000 sites through a detailed communication strategy incorporating electronic and printed material, improved visitor infrastructure and informative events

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