Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

A colony of the endangered Dalmatian pelican has settled near Burgas

Photo: Vladimir Mladenov/ BSPB

After almost 80 years, a new breeding colony of the endangered Dalmatian pelican has appeared in Bulgaria. The birds have settled on artificial islands built by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) in the Mandra-Poda Complex, a Natura 2000 site near Burgas. 

This is the fourth breeding site for the species in Bulgaria, along with those at Lake Srebarna, Persin Island (Belene) and the Kalimok-Brashlen nature reserve.

At the end of 2021, as part of the international project 'The Life of the Pelican', BSPB experts and volunteers built two 40 square metre floating platforms in the oxidation lakes of the Lukoil Neftochim Burgas refinery, within the boundaries of the Mandra-Poda complex. The aim was to attract birds to nest in the area. 


These ponds are among the most preferred resting and nesting sites for the Dalmatian Pelican in the Burgas Lakes region, as human disturbance is kept to a minimum, which is extremely important for this species. As a result, these man-made islands have become favourite places for Dalmatian and White Pelicans.

To date, 23 nests have been found and the birds continue to build more.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian-Albanian Business Chamber to support innovations in tourism, renewable energy and trade

The Bulgarian-Albanian Business Chamber (BABC) will support the connections between the Albanian and Bulgarian communities in the business sector, with the ambition to create a unique space that will link the diaspora with its roots. It will play an..

published on 1/28/25 10:58 AM

BNR at 90 - a story of pride and no prejudice!

On 25 January 1935, Tsar Boris III signed the decree establishing the Bulgarian National Radio. The document, which officially marked the beginning of "Radio Sofia", as the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) was then called, made radio broadcasting in Bulgaria..

updated on 1/25/25 3:26 PM

Federation of European Carnival Cities declares Pernik a global center of masquerade traditions

The Federation of European Carnival Cities has declared Pernik a global center of masquerade traditions.  16 years ago, Prenik was named the European Capital of Sourvakar and Mummer Traditions, and nearly 10 years ago, the Surva festival was..

published on 1/25/25 3:14 PM