Malko Sharkovo Reservoir, Stausee in Bulgarien
Malko Sharkovo Reservoir is a large body of water in the Strandzha Mountains near the Turkish border, holding about 55 million cubic meters of water at full capacity. The water has gentle shores with shallow areas along the edges where aquatic plants grow, while surrounding hills are dotted with meadows and small forest patches.
The reservoir was created by an earth dam to irrigate surrounding agricultural land and serves as a key water resource for the region. The site was designated as an important bird area by BirdLife International in 1989 and recognized as a place of European importance for bird conservation in 1998.
The area is open to visitors for fishing and walking, with boats commonly used especially before sunrise. Those visiting should watch birds from a distance and avoid boat use in early morning hours to minimize disturbance to resting birds.
More than 16,000 white-fronted geese gather here during winter months, using the water as a rest stop on their migration route across Europe. This massive seasonal concentration makes the reservoir a critical stop for millions of migratory birds traveling between breeding and wintering grounds.
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