Estado: TargovishteÁrea: 1477,79 ха
Propiedad: state - 12%; municipality - 21%; private - 67%;
Descripción:
The site is a complex of wet meadows, non-irrigated farmland with grass vegetation, pastures, vineyards, broadleaved and mixed forests, located in northern Bulgaria, in the foothills of Preslavska mountain about 10 km south-east of the town of Turgovishte. It covers a territory, located in the northern foothills of the Preslavska Mountain between the villages of Strazha, Ruets, Ovcharovo, Kralevo and Pevets. It includes also Ovcharovo reservoir. The habitats of greatest importance in the region are the wet meadows on the northern slopes of the Preslavska Mountain and around the tributaries of the Golyama Kamchia River.
Aves:
Ovcharovo meadows are of international importance for the conservation of the globally threatened Corncrake Crex crex, which breeds there in numerous population.
Amenazas:
The area is very sensitive to the human activities related to traditional use of the meadows and pastures. The most serious threats are the large-scale conversion of grasslands into arable land, as well as abandonment of the grasslands due to reduction in cattle. The haymaking in the intensively used grasslands usually takes place too early which cause destruction of the nestling and disturbance to birds. The pesticides and fertilizers, used in surrounding arable land have negative impact on the meadows. In very rainy years all the meadows could be completely flooded.
La protección legal:
The area is not protected by the national nature conservation law. In 2005 it was designated also as Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
