Atanasovsko Lake

Atanasovsko Lake Conservation Brigade 2017 - New islands for nesting dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) are built in the south. The activity is part of Project LIFE11 NAT/BG/000362 ( Salt of Life ).
Atanasovsko Lake
Waterfowl in Atanasovsko Lake
Atanasovsko Lake - near the north part of the Atanasovsko Lake, next to the Salt Pans
The “Point”  is located next to the Salt Pans. This is the oldest and most popular place for bird observation, just under the Via Pontica migration route.

Atanasovsko Lake

  • Country: 
    Bulgaria
  • Site number: 
    292
  • Area: 
    1,995.1 ha
  • Designation date: 
    28-11-1984
  • Coordinates: 
    42°33'N 27°28'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Atanasovsko is one of the four lakes of the Burgas wetland complex surrounding the city on the Black Sea coast. It is a shallow hyper-saline lagoon composed of salt marshes, reedbeds, a complex of salt pans and settling pools surrounded by a dike and a freshwater canal. The Site is one of the three most important wetland complexes for waterbirds along the coast, hosting 317 bird species and the largest populations in Bulgaria of pied avocet, black-winged stilt and Kentish plover, all of which are nationally threatened. A significant part of the Site is used for salt production using traditional methods. This is done in accordance with conservation objectives, and helps maintain the water regime to ensure the preservation of the Site’s biodiversity. Overgrowing of reeds is the main threat, as it reduces the availability of open water and restricts potential nesting grounds for waterbirds. A yearly clean-up of reeds is organized to minimize this. The management plan for the Site was being updated in 2019.

Administrative region: 
Burgas Municipality, Burgas District of Bulgaria

  • National legal designation: 
    • Managed Reserve - Atanasovsko ezero (area of 1031.94 ha, designated in 12.08.1980)
    • Protected Site - Burgaski solnitsi
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • EU Natura 2000
  • Last publication date: 
    20-01-2020