This photo was made by Pavel Simeonov (www.branta-tours.com). Durankulak lake is a coastal lagoon, situated in North-east of Bulagria and separated from the Black Sea by sand dunes and a beach. It has an area of 446 ha. of which 250 ha. are open water and the rest is aquatic emergent vegetation. It is surrounded by grassland and arable agriculture. It is an important bird area and protected Ramsar site situated on the migratory flyway �Via Pontica� and is serving as major staging point for large gatherings of birds: Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Ruddy Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, with many waders and small passerines in evidence. It represents the biggest wintering site for the red-breasted goose with over 40,000 individuals, 45% of the global population. It is also a winter home for over 30% of the western Palearctic population (11% of the global population) of white-fronted goose with over 235,000 individuals. Over 80 species breed in this site including: Ferruginous Duck (Aythia nyroca), Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola), Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), Olivaceous Warbler (Hippolais pallida) or Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). Durankulak Lake is also one of the few places in Europe where Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola), a typical Asian Species, can be seen. The Branta Conservation and Visitor center is located close to the lake proper, not far from the international motorway, at 3 km from the Romanian border (www.lebalkan.org).
Content and images originally posted by Pavel
