Estado: Dobrich, SilistraÁrea: 35428,63 ха
Propiedad: state - 54%; municipality - 13%; private - 33%;
Descripción:
The rocky dry riverbed of the Harsovska Reka, located in Dobrudzha, south-east of the town of Silistra. To the north it reaches the village of Voynovo, to the south – the village of Bezmer, covering the dry riverbed to the east of the village of Prusanovo up to the village of Sredishte. The area represents a dry river valley, where the waters disappear in the karst terrain. A considerable part of the valley (mainly the hilltops) is covered by primary oak forests of Quercus cerris, at places mixed with Quercus pubescens and Quercus virgiliana. The riverbed is overgrown with mixed forests of Carpinus betulus and Acer campestre, some secondary forests and shrubs of Carpinus orientalis, as well as artificial poplar plantations. The meadows along the riverbed are covered by xerothermal grasslands, dominated by Dichantium ischaemum, Poa bulbosa, etc. and more rarely – by meso-xerothermal vegetation (Bondev 1991). The valley is comparatively straight, but at the village of Kutlovitsa it makes many turns. At many places along the riverbed there are single low rocks and rock massifs, which in the southern and northern ends of the area rise to 60–70 m. Agricultural plots surround the riverbeds.
Aves:
Harsovska Reka supports 109 bird species, 23 of which are listed in the Red Data Book for Bulgaria (1985). Of the birds occurring there 47 species are of European conservation concern (SPEC) (BirdLife International, 2004), 1 of them being listed in category SPEC 1 as globally threatened, 15 in SPEC 2 and 45 in SPEC 3 as species threatened in Europe. The area provides suitable habitats for 31 species, included in Annex 2 of the Biodiversity Act, which need special conservation measures, of which 30 are listed also in Annex I of the Birds Directive. The Harsovska dry riverbed is one of the most important sites in the country for the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, Black Kite Milvus migrans, Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina and Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus, where these species breed in considerable numbers. A complex of species, typical of open and transitional habitats are presented in Harsovska Reka with significant breeding populations as well – Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana, Roller Coracias garrulus, Woodlark Lullula arborea, Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor. Many years ago the region used to host breeding Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus and Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos. Soaring birds use the dry valley of the Harsovska Reka as migration corridor as part of the Via Pontica migration flyway. Despite complete studies on migration in the area not having been done, it is known that White Storks Ciconia ciconia pass through here, as well as raptors, including the globally threatened Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus.
Amenazas:
Harsovska Reka is surrounded by arable land and is partly isolated from other areas, which hold similar habitats, except the Ludogorie IBA. Because of the settlements situated close to the area, there is easy access to certain parts of the area. The area is sensitive to human activities which cause disturbance to birds, especially to those which nest on the rocks – rock climbing, gliding, hang-gliding, illegal treasure hunting, tourism activities during the breeding season. Hunting activities and poaching also cause disturbance to birds. Raptors and owls are subject to shooting, because of their “detrimental” role and as tropheus. Another threat to birds is taking young birds from nests. Cutting activities in the forests, including clear felling, as well as burning of forests degrade the forest habitats and disturb the birds during the breeding season. The agriculture in the surrounding territories is intensive with use of pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides and even poison that directly affects birds or their food base.
La protección legal:
The Harsovska Reka does not have legal protection status according to the Bulgarian nature conservation legislation. In 1997 it was designated as Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. In 1998 about 80% of the area are appointed as CORINE Site because of its European value for rare and threatened habitats, plant and animal species, including birds.
