Srebarna Nature Reserve

The Srebyrna Nature Reserve includes a large freshwater lake and its surroundings. Lake Srebyrna is a place of residence and nesting for more than 100 species of birds, some of which are rare and endangered. The migration route of many birds flying from Europe to Africa and back passes through the lake.

General information

Lake Srebyrna has an area of ² km2, and its maximum depth is 2-2.5 meters. During its existence, it has been threatened with extinction several times. In 1911, a dam was installed on the nearby Danube. Since that time, the depth of the lake has changed significantly from the original 6 m. The shores of the lake are mostly swampy or densely overgrown with cable, 5-7 meters high.

There are reed islands or "hummocks" on the surface of Lake Srebyrna, they are of completely natural origin, do not sink into the lake and serve as places for bird nests.

• In 1942, the lake became a bird sanctuary.;
• In 1948, it received the status of a bird sanctuary.;
• Since 1965, it has been included in the list of European humid zones of special importance.;
• It has been a wetland since 1975.;

The lake is also included in the list of the most important biosphere zones and in the list of important ornithological sites in Europe.

Legends of the lake

The lake has a rather interesting name - Srebyrna, the simplest interpretation of it is related to the color of the water surface. The silver water surface is silver. Another version says that the name of the lake is associated with the name of Khan. He died on the lake during an unequal battle with the Pechenegs. There is also a legend about a boat full of silver, it once sailed off the shores of the lake, and probably sank in it.

Bird World

And the Austro-Hungarian traveler and scientist Felix Kanitz, traveling through these places, named the lake "bird's El Dorado", of course, for the variety of birds living here. Lake Srebyrna is a habitat for rare bird species:

• Curly pelican - popularly called "baba". It differs from the pink pelican in its grayish-white color. Curly is named because of the peculiar plumage on the head, similar to curls or a mane. It reaches a height of 1.8 m in length, a wingspan of up to 3 meters, feeds on fish, it is noteworthy that it does not dive after it, but catches it partially submerged in the water with its head and beak. It is listed in the Red Book as a "vulnerable" species.
• The loaf is a small bird of the pelican-like order, it has an interesting dark brown color with bronze and dark green tints. It lives in flocks of up to 100 individuals. It is listed in the Red King of Russia and Kazakhstan.
• Cap - at birth, the chick has a soft and thick beak, after 5-6 weeks it becomes characteristic of rounded caps. Birds live in small flocks, they live side by side with other species. They feed on larvae, frogs, small fish and crustaceans. Kolpitsa is listed in the Red King of Russia and Kazakhstan.
• Herons are of various species, including: great white, red and black.

There is a museum on the territory of the Srebyrna Nature Reserve. Among its exhibits are numerous stuffed animals of rare species of birds that live on the lake. Various scientific and research activities are carried out on the basis of the museum.