site.btaBulgaria's First Greater Flamingo Chicks Hatched in Atanasovsko Lake

In a first for Bulgaria, three greater flamingo chicks hatched in Atanasovsko Lake near Burgas, ornitologist Petar Yankov of the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds (BSPB) announced here late on Monday. The announcement came as the Atanasovsko Lake reserve celebrated its 44th anniversary.

An event on the occasion of the anniversary was co-organized by BSPB, the Bulgarian Foundation Biodiversity and the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate in Burgas. 

Dr Yankov said about the BSPB monitoring of the flamingos. The monitoring started on June 16 when the chicks were about a week old. "They were scampering about the adults in the colony of some 45 nests," he said. The colony was formed for the first time in July 2023.

The monitoring is done from a distance, via binoculars. "Most colony members nest on the ground and human presence forces the parents to abandon their nest or even to leave the colony. That puts the eggs to risk because they can be eaten by seagulls.

Dr Yankov commented that the hatching of the three chicks is a sign that Atanasovsko Lake is perceived by the birds as a safe home. 

Flamingos nest only where the place is safe.

Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) have been inhabiting the area for eight years now but only now they found it to be safe enough to raise chicks.

Atanasovsko Lake is home to some 3,500 flamingos.

Atanasovsko Lake was designated a reserve 44 years ago yesterday.

An exhibition dedicated to the Lake with works by artist Polina Stoyanova was opened on the occasion of the anniversary. Titled "Through the Dunes", it includes 20 paintings of some of the birds from Atanasovsko Lake and inhabitants of the sand dunes.