BIRDWATCHERS PARADISE AT THE LOWER DANUBE

Alina CODREANU Danube Nature & Culture Tourism Conference November 8th, Vienna

Lower Danube a fascinating bird watching spot?

Landscapes along the river course and islands are considered to posses the highest aesthetic values which create exceptional impressions in combination with meadows and hedges that present a natural background for the river. The unique natural beauty and the richness in biodiversity has created conditions for development of ornithological, educational, and other forms of ecotourism on the Lower Danube. The Danube's varied and beautiful terrain is as diverse as the countries through which it travels: Romania, Bulgaria, Moldavia, Ukraine.

Tourists, including birdwatchers can experience the allure of Eastern Europe as they savor the natural beauty of the Danube's deep valleys between the exquisite Iron Gate region and the natural wetlands created by the unique Danube Delta.

IMPORTANT TOURIST AND NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE LOWER DANUBE INCLUDE:

BULGARIA: • Persina Nature Park, • Kalimok - Brushlen Protected site • Srebarna Nature Reserve • Rusenski Lom Natural Park

Lying on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is one of the most strategically, important points for bird observation in Europe. The Bulgarian protected areas are quite close to each other, so can be visited within one travel.

ROMANIA: Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

PROTECTED AREAS PARTNERS IN DANUBEPARKS

BIRD WATCHING PARADISE IN LOWER DANUBE - BULGARIA

WHEN TO WATCH BIRDS IN BULGARIA? Spring

No doubt that the best season for birdwatching in Bulgaria is spring. The classic period is May – June. This is the time when species lists are really long – at least 200 species in 10 days! (when using local guide with good field experience). Summer Early summer (July – mid August) is also a nice season for birdwatching, although many species are still busy with nesting or feeding youngsters Autumn Autumn (mid-August – September) is the time for keen lovers of numerous flocks of soaring migrants along the “Via Pontica” flyway – storks, pelicans and thousands of birds of prey among them. Winter Winter birdwatching is very much dependent on the weather conditions in the country. During severe winters it could be successful even during December but January and February are better.

Bulgaria has a complete complex of conditions for superb bird watching almost all the year round, of more than 420 species discovered by now.

Persina Nature Park Persina Nature Park was established in 2000. With a total area of 21,762 ha, it covers the areas of the Svishtov-Belene lowlands and part of the Nikopol plateau. There are two island groups – Nikopol Island group and Belene Islands Complex which is a complex with high international importance among the 114 important Bird Areas in Bulgaria. Part of the complex is Persina Island – the biggest bulgarian Danube island, where the first restored wetland on the bulgarian Danube is located. The unique natural beauty and rich cultural heritage combined with the hospitality of the local people has created conditions for development of ornithological, educational, fishing and other forms of ecotourism.

Natural highlights in Persina Nature Park

The most precious wealth of the Park are the birds – more than 210 species.

The natural flooded forests of willows and poplars and the marshes along the Danube are the only place where rare and of threatened birds as and many other species of birds are breeding.

One of the symbols of the Park is the White-tailed eagle.

Park infrastructure In 2002 the directorate of Nature Park Persina started the construction of special recreation and birdwatching points have been built along the river. They offer spectacular view along the river: flooded forests, colourful landscape and different species of birds.

Visitor centres The visitor Centre is situated in Belene and regularly hosts local, regional, national and international events and exhibitions. Guests can receive information and advertising materials.

Persina Nature Park

Excursions for birdwatching The water route “In the embrace of Danube" allows a boat to tour around some parts of the islands that come within the park with rest on the island "Golyama Barzina", where during the breeding season are mixed colony of herons and cormorants, and in the winter - from pelicans and swans.

The starting point of the route is the urban beach of Belene. The duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes. It’s passing along Island Magaretsa - Persina Island - Island "Golyama Barzina" - Milka Island - Island Kitka (and back). The route is specific and it’s taking place on water. Five kayaks are available for rent as well as a six seats motor boat, which is used for this special water route.

There is also specialized route focusing on wetland restoration and bird watching of many rare, threatened and endangered species. This route leads to the restored wetland with inland marshes on Persina Island (special permit is requested!). As well as the beautiful wildlife, the Park is witness to a rich historical past. Three religious communities live here: Catholics, orthodox and Muslims and each group preserves its way of life and traditions.

Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Site Kalimok –Brushlen was designed to protect one of the few remaining Danube wetlands and its unique biodiversity. It covers an area of about 6,000 ha. The area can be characterized as one of the ten most representative areas of Bulgaria.

Because of its rich biodiversity the protected area is attractive for tourism, especially for birdwathching. The greatest richness are the birds - 242 species, of which 134 are nesting. Birdwatching is the top priority because the birds are numerous, attractive and easy to see. Species such as Dalmatian Pelican and Spoonbill raise their chicks here. There are birds that are wintering here, which gives an opportunity for ecotourism in the cold months of the year too. One of Bulgaria’s biggest heron colonies is here.

OTHER ATRACTIONS IN KALIMOK BRUSHLEN REGION

Ethnographical open-air museum Fishermen Village, Tutrakan - The "Fishermen’s village" in Tutrakan is a naturally formed fishermen’s hamlet dating back to the years of the National Revival. It is located next to the church St. Nicolas at the Danube waterside in the northeastern part of the town.

- Here the visitors may learn about the development of the fishing in Tutrakan and will see the typical architecture of the fishermen houses, some of that built before 150 - 200 years.

- The most typical for the fisherman’s houses is the lack of yard - the family of the fisherman’s is not occupied with farming. In every house, on the east wall, there is an icon of St. Nicholas (the saint of the fishermen) and in the past a candle was lit every time the fisherman went to fishing.

The Ethnographic Museum "Danube fishing and boat-building" - located in

town of Tutrakan. -It was opened in 1974 and is the only one along the Danube river.

- The museum preserves the rich material and spiritual culture, social structure and lifestyle of the Bulgarians from the Danube-situated fishing villages.

- There are exhibited original artifacts, tools and objects which were used in the past and modern instruments and equipment which is use nowadays. -There is other exposition related to the boat-building which has been developed in the region since the Roman period.

A lake of international importance, situated in North-Eastern Bulgaria. Included in : -Ramsar Convention -World Natural Heritage List of UNESCO Srebarna Lake is most famous for its colony of Dalmatian Pelicans. 223 bird species are found in the reserve. During migration and winter (if the lake is not covered by ice) many waterfowl like geese, ducks rest here, accompanied by White-tailed Eagles and Rough-legged Buzzards.

Srebarna Nature Reserve

TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES IN SREBARNA NATURE RESERVE

Hikers nature lovers who want to discover the special beauty of the area, found arrownd the lake the eco-trails and observation sites beyond the high hills in the east, south and west. Footpaths follow the boundaries of protected areas in the surrounding, offering a wonderful view for tourists who wander on these roads. Information boards, observation towers and wooden benches and shelters can be found on the tourist paths.

TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES IN SREBARNA NATURE RESERVE

In the southwest of the reserve there is the Museum of Natural History with a rich collection of stuffed birds and mammals. The museum has a vantage point from where, using telescopes and binoculars, live bird-watching is available. In the heart of the lake is put a camera, near the places where pelicans nest. By video signal pictures and sounds are broadcast on a screen in the museum. The Srebarna lake is really an impressive natural object and is included in the 100 National Tourist Sites of the Bulgarian Tourist Union.

Rusenski Lom Natural Park is situated in northeast Bulgaria, along the canyon shaped valley of the Rusenski Lom river – the last right tributary of the Danube has an and area of 3,408 hectares. The park is preserving beautiful riverside terraces, meanders, high vertical rocks, areas of rich variety of species, caves, rock formations, historical monuments of national and international national importance.

Rusenski Lom Nature Park

There are excellent possibilities for modern environment-friendly tourism. People of various interests can find place to practice their hobby there as the area is attractive for botanists and zoologists, especially birdwatchers, for nature photographers, and the ones passionate of archeology, history and art.

The park is real paradise for birds. One can see here a lot of birds that are endangered throughout Europe - this is the reason for Lomovete being announced ornithologically

significant site.

The numerous rock holes, niches and terraces, the cave spots and sites creat circumstances that are ideal for the rock nesting birds like Imperial eagle, the Egyptian vulture, buzzards, hawks, owls, etc.

110 species of birds nest here and the total number of bird species found in the park exceeds 190 - birds here are migrators, winter guests and random visitors.

The black stork also nests here. What is interesting about it in the park is that in Bulgaria in nests mainly in the rocks, while in the middle of Europe it usually nests on old trees in the forests.

This area has much historical interest with several groups of "rock monasteries" built into the rock walls of the gorges.

The greatest attractions are the Ivanovo Rock Churches, which are included in the UNESCO List of Global Cultural Heritage. The mural paintings in the rock churches near Ivanovo - an archaelogical reserve - represent a peak of the medieval Bulgarian art. The only active rock monastery in Bulgaria – Basarbovski Monastery is

located within the park territory.

The contact with the beauty of nature and spiritual heritage that reveals before one’s eyes in the rock monasteries, promise unforgettable moments to the guests of the Park possibilities for practicing bike riding, as well as speleology- and hiking, rock climbing and canoe.

Lodging and board for holiday is provided in the villages of Pissanets, Nissovo, Cherven and Ivanovo.

Danube Delta was declared a biosphere reserve in 1990 by the romanian government. Single delta of the whole world, entirely declared a biosphere reserve, with a total surface of 5,800 square km. One of the worldwide largest wetland, especially a waterfowl habitat.

The greatest reedbed expanses worldwide.

DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Danube Delta has a surface of 4,178 km2 and it lays on the

territory of two countries

82% from delta’s surface in on Romania’s territory and the rest is in Ukraine.

Danube Delta is the 22nd delta as extent on the globe

The first five positions are occupied by Amazon, Gange – Brahmaputra, Iantî, Mekong and Mississippi.

Danube Delta is the third delta as extent from Europe

Volga Delta and Kuban Delta are on the first positions.

Did you know?

Danube Delta is on the third place in the world as scientific

importance concerning the biological diversity.

With over 5,500 species of flora and fauna identified here, the delta is on the third place, after the Coral Reef (Australia) and the Galapagos Archipelago (Ecuador).

The international recognition:

The universal value of the

reserve was recognized by the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO in 1990, through its inclusion in the international network of biosphere reserves

The DDBR is listed as a

wetland of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat under the Ramsar Convention (1991)

Inclusion of the strictly

protected areas in the World Heritage List under the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention (1990).

TOURISTIC POTENTIAL OF DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Landscape components (400 lakes, channels, forests, sand dunes, beaches, etc. ) Biodiversity (30 types of ecosystems, More than 5500 flora and fauna species)

Natural resources (eg. fishing)

Climate (Continental-temperate: 11.0 - 11.6°C, Annual sunshine: 2,300-2,400 hours/ year, Annual rainfall: 350-450 mm)

Culture and history (archaeological traces, Ethnography and folklore)

Human settlements (Rural settlements: 25, urban settlements: 1 (Sulina), Ethnical structure: about 20 nationalities )

Most of the European population of White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) and Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus); 60% from world population of Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus) 50% from world population of Red- breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis), during winter season

DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE Paradise of Birds

Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Birdwatchers paradise

Birds offer to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve the world –wide known fame. Out of 331 species there are estimated: -Nesting birds: 172 species -Migratory or partial migratory birds: 284 species - Species of birds are declared monuments of nature12: Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferugineea), Raven (Corvus corax ), White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Great Bustard (Otis tarda), Black Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), Great White Egret (Egretta alba), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

SPECIFIC TOURISM PROGRAMMES IN DANUBE DELTA

LEISURE TOURS one day trip in large groups (60-80 persons), with modern transport ships, or in smaller groups (6-8 persons), with small ships

ITINERANT DISCOVERY TOURISM Visitors who want to spend more time in the Danube Delta can also choose between itinerary trips of 6-12 days, on modern and comfortable floating hotels, and stationary holidays, with accommodation in hotels and pensions from villages or resorts in the Danube Delta.

SPECIALIZED TRIPS AND SCIENTIFIC TOURISM (E.G. ORNITHOLOGISTS, SPECIALISTS, RESEARCHERS, STUDENTS)

RURAL TOURISM Tourists are hosted in local people houses or pensions, who offers them full board and guided by them on trips with small boats. BALNEARY TOURISM (HELIO-MARINE CURE ON THE BEACHES OF SULINA, ST. GHEORGHE)

SPECIAL YOUTH PROGRAMS (for discovery, understanding and appreciation of nature); SPORT FISHING

EXPLORING THE DELTA ON KAYCS

VISITING LOCALITIES, TRADITIONAL MEALS, etc.

TOURISM FACILITIES IN

DANUBE DELTA ACCOMMODATION- almost 4500 places

-Hotels -Floating hotels

-Small houses -Small hotels -Rural pensions

-Bungalows, villas -Camping - Camps for children

TOURISM FACILITIES IN DANUBE DELTA (continue)

• RESTAURANTS

• PUBLIC AND PRIVAT TRANSPORT

• TOURIST INFORMATION- DDBRA Information centers: (Tulcea, Crisan, Sulina, Murighiol, Sf, Gheorghe).

– Brochures;

– Folders;

– Tourist guides;

– Documentary films, etc.

The main bird watching season begins in April and lasts until late November. Tours during the best period of bird migration (April-June and August-September) are very much in demand and understandably so since birdwatchers could easily see more than 180 species in just seven days.

Every season contain interest points: Spring: the most representative species comes in passage and stop in delta for breeding over summer. March, April and May are periods with serious aerial traffic. Summer: the bird activity continues, among the previous species, we could find almost all delta species.

Autumn: late september means the beginning of migrations; also passage species fly over this deltas territory in October-November: Greebe species, Heron species, some raptors, most of gull species, a.s.o.

Winter: there are a few birds seeing in this season. Mostly are coming from N Europe for wintering: Red breasted goose (from Siberia), Whooper swan, White-fronted Goose, etc. As location Razelm-Sinoe lagoon complex represent the best destination for the trips.

Bird watching in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

The vast complex of reed beds, willow forest, and wetland, can be explored as wide a variety as possible of these habitats, both on foot and using a different types of boats. There are trips for organized groups: with floating hotels which can accommodate max 20 people for cruises of up to 10 days in the Danube Delta in combination with small motorboats. The passionate ones who want to discover themselves the beauty of the delta, can craft their own boat or those of local people that are authorized for tourist activities.

HOW TO EXPLORE DANUBE DELTA ?

TOURIST ROUTES IN THE DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Once declared a biosphere reserve, the Reserve Authority established its own rules for carrying out tourism activities, in order to protect the natural heritage. For this purpose, 24 tourist routes have been established within the reserve: - 15 routes only by naval transportation - 9 trails that can be done by hiking or road transport (hiking trails). Boat routes start from the main entry points in reserve: Tulcea, Murighiol, Jurilovca or from the localities situated in the reserve: Chilia Veche, Crişan, Sulina, St. Gheorghe. Hiking trails start from Tulcea, Murighiol, Uzlina, Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe, Chilia Veche.

It organize and controls the tourist activities on the Danube Delta territory according to the Biosphere Reserve types of areas (strictly protected, buffer and economic areas) and

the management objectives:

Identifies and approves the tourists routes

Identifies and approves the areas for angling

Coordinates the programmes of sign posting the DDBR territory, including the tourist

routes and areas

Establishes regulations and visiting codes for DDBR visitors and tourists

Establishes regulations and authorizes the tourism activities and business on the DDBR territory

Coordinates the programmes for Ecological Education and Information through its

Visitor and Information Centres (5 Centres for now)

Facilitates the tourists activities through the civil works for chanells dredging and ecological restoration

Provides information and facilitates the tourist activities through information

materials, guides, maps, birdwatching towers or visiting paths

DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE AUTHORITY RESPONSABILITIES ON TOURISM

Speaker Name: Alina Codreanu Danube Nature & Culture Tourism Conference November 8th, Vienna

Photos from: www.delta-project.eu, www.visit.guide-bulgaria,www.icpdr.org, www.kalimok.eu, www.lomea.org, www.wayfaring.info, www.delta-project.eu, www.chettusia.com, www.panoramia.com Daniel Petrescu, Alina Codreanu, Cristian Mititelu.

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION!