Nature parks

Srebarna

Lake "Srebarna" is maintained biosphere reserve located near the village of Silver, 16 km west of Silistra and 2 km south of the Danube. It includes Silver Lake and its environs. Located on the main migration route for birds migrating between Europe and Africa, called "Via Pontica". The area was declared a reserve in 1948 and has secured an area of ​​about 600 hectares and a buffer zone of about 540 hectares.

In and around the lake there are reeds and other water plants. Plant community of cane occupies about 2/3 of the area of ​​the reserve. Here the 139 species of vascular plants, of which 11 are rare or endangered outside the Silver. The second type of plant is razprostraneie gage cattail (Typha angustifolia) followed by Broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia). Gray (Salix cinerea) and red willow (Salix purpurea) are also widespread.

The fauna in the reserve is very diverse. There are 41 species of mammals, 11 reptiles, 10 amphibians and 24 species of fish - the otter, European wild cat, steppe hopping mouse, water vole, rat snake, a great shooter, spur-thighed tortoise, Syrian chesnovitsa (Pelobates Syriacus), tree frog, fire-bellied toad, pike, bream, rudd, crayfish and more.
The reserve is best known for the birds that can be observed on its territory. 221 species of birds nest in the reserve Silver: Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, glossy ibis, spoonbill, Mute Swan, Ferruginous Duck, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Red-breasted goose, greylag goose, ducks, marsh harrier, Bluethroat, bearded tit. This is the only traditionally in Bulgaria nesting habitat of great white heron.

In 1948, Srebarna was named Reserve maintained. In 1975, Srebarna was included in the Ramsar Convention for the Conservation of Wetlands of International Importance. In 1977 was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. In 1983 it was in the list of UNESCO world heritage and natural sites of UNESCO. The reserve supports 22 rare, vulnerable or endangered species of animals and plants under the European Red List of Globally Threatened Animals and plants and 149 species according to the Red Book of Bulgaria.