Shabla Lake

Shabla Lake
Black Sea, Shabla (with the house) and Ezerets

Shabla Lake

  • Country: 
    Bulgaria
  • Site number: 
    801
  • Area: 
    417.9 ha
  • Designation date: 
    13-03-1996
  • Coordinates: 
    43°34'N 28°34'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Shabla Lake, on the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coastline, is composed of two brackish coastal lakes connected by a narrow artificial canal. The lakes are surrounded by fields and a sandbar. Several fish, amphibian and invertebrate species are nationally listed, and a large number of threatened plant species are found on the sand dunes. The site is frequented by 248 bird species, 96 of which nest there, and 88 over-winter; 69 of them are listed as nationally threatened. Shabla Lake is especially important for the globally threatened red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis), which winters there in large numbers. In addition, many egrets, herons, diving and dabbling ducks, waders and sometimes pelicans visit during spring and autumn migrations. The main threats are urbanization and water pollution caused by intensive agriculture in the neighbouring farmlands. As of 2019, the management plan for the Site was being updated.

Administrative region: 
Shabla Municipality, Dobrich District of Bulgaria

  • National legal designation: 
    • Protected Site - Shablensko ezero
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • EU Natura 2000
  • Last publication date: 
    20-01-2020