Atanasovo lake

Atanasovsko Lake is situated to the north of the town of Bourgas. It is a hyperhaline coastal lake. The nature around is incredible - charming greenery, fresh air, great diversity of flora and fauna. Many of the plant and animal species are under protection. This is the major reason for the establishment of a national reserve on this territory (its northern part). Its southern part is a buffer zone. The Atanasovsko lake is a salt lake. Salt has been produced here since 1906.
More than 233 plant species are found in the lake’s area. The most typical ones are the Glasswort, Broadleaf Bulrush, Black Sea Lavender.
Atanasovsko Lake is one of the richest areas in Bulgaria from ornithological point of view. Over 300 bird species occur in the area of all 400 species found in Bulgaria. Twelve of these 300 species are globally endangered: Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Red-breasted Goose and Corncrake. Seventeen bird species breeding in Atanasovsko Lake are listed in Bulgaria’s Red Book: Avocet, Tern, Little Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Slender-billed Tern. Atanasovsko Lake is situated on the migratory flyway Via Pontica which determines the wide variety of breeding species. The largest number of birds is usually observed during the fall migration.
The smallest mammal living in Europe, the Shrew, is also an inhabitant of the lake. Other rare mammals occurring in the lake’s area are the European Otter, the European Wild Cat, Vole. Atanasovsko Lake is the northernmost habitat of this species.