Srebarna Lake

Srebarna lake is located in the Srebarna Nature Reserve in northeastern Bulgaria. The reserve covers an area of 8000 decares.18 km west of Silistra and 2 km south of the Danube.The reserve embraces 6 km.
The reserve has an Ecological Research and Visitor Station. A exhibition of stuffed birds and a terrace with a reasonable view. It is the breeding ground of almost 100 species of birds, many of which are rare or endangered. Some 80 other bird species migrate and seek refuge there every winter. The most interesting bird species are the Dalmatian pelican, great egret, night heron, purple heron, glossy ibis and white spoonbill.
In the vicinity there is a Nature museum and an Ecological research station.
In 1994 two new canals permitting a flow of water to the Reserve began to restore the condition of the lake

Protection and management requirements

Srebarna Lake was the first wetland in Bulgaria to receive legal protection status and also the first to achieve international recognition. The lake was designated as reserve in 1948 to protect the diversity of birds it hosts. According to the 1998 law dealing with protected areas in Bulgaria, the property is classified as a “Managed Reserve", being exclusively State property. Management and control are carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Water and its regional departments. The reserve falls under the jurisdiction of the Regional Inspectorate of environment and water for the town of Ruse. Besides its inclusion on the World Heritage List, Srebarna Lake is also protected as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 1989 the lake was designated as an lmportant Bird Area by Bird Life International. Its values are also recognized and protected at the European level. The property is also included in two Natura 2000 sites: the Srebarna Special Protection Area and Ludogorie-Srebarna Special Area of Conservation.