For Special Protection Areas (SPA),
Proposed Sites for Community Importance (pSCI),
Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and
for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. SITE IDENTIFICATION
• 2. SITE LOCATION
• 3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
• 4. SITE DESCRIPTION
• 5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS
• 6. SITE MANAGEMENT
• 7. MAP OF THE SITE

1. SITE IDENTIFICATION

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1.1 Type

B

1.2 Site code

BG0000427

1.3 Site name

Reka Ovcharitsa

1.4 First Compilation date

2005-12

1.5 Update date

2021-11

1.6 Respondent:

Name/Organisation:	Ministry of Environment and Water, “National Nature Protection Service” Directorate
Address:	Sofia  22    Sofia    1000  Kn. Maria Luiza Blvd.
Email:	natura2000@moew.government.bg

1.7 Site indication and designation / classification dates

Date site proposed as SCI:	2007-03
Date site confirmed as SCI:	2008-12
Date site designated as SAC:	No information provided
National legal reference of SAC designation:	No information provided

Explanation(s):

Adopted by Council of Ministers Decision No. 122/02.03.2007 (promulgated SG 21/2007). Corrected and extended site borders by Council of Ministers Decision No. 588/06.08.2021 (promulgated SG 67/2021).

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:	26.071800
Latitude:	42.231500

2.2 Area [ha]

727.7010

2.3 Marine area [%]

0.0000

2.4 Sitelength [km] (optional):

No information provided

2.5 Administrative region code and name

NUTS level 2 code	Region Name
BG34	Yugoiztochen
BG34	Yugoiztochen

2.6 Biogeographical Region(s)

Continental

(100.00 %)

3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

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3.1 Habitat types present on the site and assessment for them

No habitat types are reported for the site

3.2 Species referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC and listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC and site evaluation for them

Species					Population in the site						Site assessment
G	Code	Scientific Name	S	NP	T	Size		Unit	Cat.	D.qual.	A|B|C|D	A|B|C
						Min	Max				Pop.	Con.	Iso.	Glo.
F	5088	Barbus cyclolepis			p				P	DD	C	B	C	C
A	1188	Bombina bombina			p	3	3	localities	V	P	C	B	C	B
F	1149	Cobitis taenia			p	6040	6040	i	R	G	C	B	B	A
R	5194	Elaphe sauromates			p			localities	P	DD	C	A	C	B
R	1220	Emys orbicularis			p	2	2	localities	V	P	C	A	C	B
M	1355	Lutra lutra			p	2	3	i	C	G	C	A	C	A
F	1145	Misgurnus fossilis			p	1904	1904	i	C	G	C	A	B	A
M	2617	Myomimus roachi			p				V	DD	C	B	C	C
M	1323	Myotis bechsteinii			p				P	DD	D
M	1307	Myotis blythii			p	6	10	i	R	G	D
F	5339	Rhodeus amarus			p	12480	12480	i	C	G	C	A	C	B
M	1335	Spermophilus citellus			p	2	2	colonies	V	M	C	B	C	B
A	1171	Triturus karelinii			p	1	1	localities	V	P	C	A	C	B
I	1032	Unio crassus			p			i	R	P	C	B	C	A
M	2635	Vormela peregusna			p				P	DD	C	B	C	B

• Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, I = Invertebrates, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
• S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
• NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
• Type: p = permanent, r = reproducing, c = concentration, w = wintering (for plant and non-migratory species use permanent)
• Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the Standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting (see reference portal)
• Abundance categories (Cat.): C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present - to fill if data are deficient (DD) or in addition to population size information
• Data quality: G = 'Good' (e.g. based on surveys); M = 'Moderate' (e.g. based on partial data with some extrapolation); P = 'Poor' (e.g. rough estimation); VP = 'Very poor' (use this category only, if not even a rough estimation of the population size can be made, in this case the fields for population size can remain empty, but the field "Abundance categories" has to be filled in)

3.3 Other important species of flora and fauna (optional)

Species					Population in the site				Motivation
Group	CODE	Scientific Name	S	NP	Size		Unit	Cat.	Species Annex		Other categories
					Min	Max		C|R|V|P	IV	V	A	B	C	D
A		Bufo viridis						C					X
R		Coluber caspius						C					X
R		Elaphe longissima						P					X
M		Erinaceus concolor						C			X
A		Hyla arborea						C					X
R		Lacerta trilineata						C					X
R		Lacerta viridis						C					X
F		Leuciscus cephalus						P						X
M		Mustela nivalis						C			X
R		Natrix tessellata						P					X
M		Neomys anomalus						C					X
R		Podarcis taurica						C					X
A		Rana dalmatina						P					X
R		Vipera ammodytes						P					X

• Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, Fu = Fungi, I = Invertebrates, L = Lichens, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
• CODE: for Birds, Annex IV and V species the code as provided in the reference portal should be used in addition to the scientific name
• S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
• NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
• Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting, (see reference portal)
• Cat.: Abundance categories: C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present
• Motivation categories: IV, V: Annex Species (Habitats Directive), A: National Red List data; B: Endemics; C: International Conventions; D: other reasons

4. SITE DESCRIPTION

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4.1 General site character

Habitat class	% Cover
N08	79.00
N09	13.00
N15	4.00
N23	4.00
Total Habitat Cover	100

Other Site Characteristics

The Ovcharitsa is a river in South-eastern Bulgaria, a left tributary of the Sazliyka River. It runs south-westwards is a shallow valley, cut in the Eastern part of the Upper-Thracian Lowland. It is 42,5 km long and is used for irrigation. There are mud volcanoes along the valley. The Ovcharitsa Reservoir is constructed on the river. The distance between the river dikes is 20 m,and there is a dense vegetation of rush and reed and almost no free water surface. The left bank is covered by broad-leaved and coniferous artificial plantations and bogs. The right bank is covered by meadows and fields. After 2 km there is a settlement and an industrial zone, where the is almost no biodiversity. Above this level the river doesn't practically exist, as it is cut off by mine excavations. The water in the lower currency is not from the natural river-bed, but is the one drained by the lower horizons of the pit. A river appears again above the Ovcharica Reservoir, but it is very small.

4.2 Quality and importance

The site is significant mainly as a bio-corridor, connecting the Maritsa River, the Sazliyka River, the Rozov Kladenets Reservoir, the Ovacharitsa Reservoir and the Sveti Iliyski heights.In table "Ecological Information - Other Important species", the species justified by 'A-National' are not necessarily included in the National Red Data Book, because its last edition is too old (1985), not up-dated and has no legislative value. The species indicated by 'A-National' are the protected flora and fauna species, included in the Bulgarian Biodiversity Act, and therefore this motivation is given highest priority.

4.3 Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on the site

The most important impacts and activities with high effect on the site

4.4 Ownership (optional)

No information provided

4.5 Documentation (optional)

Initial proposal and description of the site made by Georgi Dulev - Green Balkans Federation, Plovdiv 4000, +359 32 62 69 77, office@greenbalkans.org .Initially listed documents: Arnold, E., J. Burton, D. Ovenden. 1992. A field guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. Collins Publ., London, 272 pp.•Benda, P., T. Ivanova, I. Horacek, V. Hanak, J. Gaisler, J. Cerveny, J. Gaisler, A. Georgieva, B. Petrov, V. Vohralik. 2003. Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the Eastern Mediterranean. Part 3. Review of bat distribution in Bulgaria. Acta Soc. Zool. Bohem., 67, 245-357.•CORINE BIOTOPES database• Cramp, St. 1983. Handbook of the Birds of Europe the Middle East and North Africa. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume 4. Oxford University Press, 48-62 pp.•Cramp, St., K. Simmons et al. 1977. Handbook of the Birds of Europe the Middle East and North Africa. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume I : Ostrich to Ducks. Oxford University Press.•Delany, S., C. Reyes, E. Hubert, S. Pihl, E. Rees, L. Haanstra, A. Strien. 1999. Results from the International Waterbird Census in the Westwrn Paleactic and Southwest Asia 1995 and 1996. Wetlands International Publication, 54, 178 pp.•Georgiev, D. 2003. A report of Mesocricetus newtoni (Mammalia: Cricetidae) from South-Eastern Bulgaria. Trav. Sci. Univ. Plovdiv, Animalia, 39 (6), 107-110.•Ivanova, T. 2005. Important Bat Underground Habitats (IBUH) in Bulgaria. Acta zool. Bulg.•Horacek, I., J. Cerveny, A. Tausl, D. Vitek. 1974. Notes on the Mammal fauna of Bulgaria (Insectivora, Chiroptera, Rodentia). Vestnik Cesk. Spol. Zool., XXXVIII, 1,19-31.•Karapetkova, M., M. Zhivkov . 1995. Fish in Bulgaria. Sofia. “Gea Libris”, 247 pp.•Kavrakova, V., D. Dimova, M. Dimitrov, R. Tsonev, T.Belev (ed.). 2005. Guide for identification of habitats of European significance in Bulgaria. WWF DCP, Green Balkans Federation. Sofia. 128 pp.•Kostadinova, I. (compiler). 1997. Important Bird Areas in Bulgaria. BSPB, Sofia.•Kostadinova, I., S. Dereliev. 2001. Results from the midwinter census of waterfowl in Bulgaria for the period 1997-2001 year, Sofia. •Macdonald, D., P. Barret. 1993. Mammals of Britain & Europe. Collins field guide, Harper Collins Publ., London, 312 pp.•Michev, T., L. Profirov. 2003. Mid-winter Numbers of Waterbirds in Bulgaria (1977-2001). Results form 25 years of mid-winter counts carried out at the most important Bulgarian wetlands. Sofia – Moscow, 160.• Mihov, S. 2002. Field guide of amphibians in Bulgaria, Bourgas Wetlands, 45 pp.•Milchev, B., Z. Boev, V. Georgiev. 2004. Die Nahrung der Schleiereule (Tyto alba) in Sudost-Bulgarien. Egretta, 47, 66-77.•Nankinov, D., S. Simeonov, T. Michev, B. Ivanov. 1997. Fauna of Bulgaria. Vol. 26: Aves, Part II. Sofia, Academic Publishing House “Prof. M. Drinov”, 427 pp.• Nankinov, D. et al. 2004.Breeding totals of the ornithofauna in Bulgaria. Green Balkans, Plovdiv, 32 pp.•Ornithological database of Green Balkans Federation of Nature Conservation NGOs. •Patev, P. 1950. Birds in Bulgaria. BAS, Sofia, 364 pp. •Peshev, T., D. Peshev, V. Popov. 2004. Fauna of Bulgaria. Vol. 27: Mammalia.Sofia. Academic Publishing House “Prof. M. Drinov”, 632 pp.•Popov, V. 2003. Mammals in Bulgaria. Vitosha Nature Park Directorate, Sofia, “Geosoft”, 291 pp.•Roché, J. 2000. Die Vogelstimmen Europas auf 4 CDs – Rufe und Gesänge. “Kosmos”.•Simeonov, S., T. Michev. 1991. The birds of the Balkan Peninsula. “Peter Beron”, Sofia, 249 pp.•Simeonov, S., T. Michev, D. Nankinov. 1990. Fauna in Bulgaria. Vol. 20 Aves. Part I. S., BAS, 350 pp.•Simeonov, S., T. Michev. 1991. Birds of the Balkan Peninsula. Peter Beron, Sofia, 245 pp. •Swensson, L. 1992. Identification guide to European Passerines. Stockholm.•Swensson L., P. Grant. 2000. Bird guide. Harper Collins Publishers, London, 392 pp. •Sakalyan, M. (eds.). 1993. National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation. Main Reports. Volume 1.Data revised by a team of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (http://www.bas.bg). New data provided by project "Mapping and assessment of the conservation status of the natural habitats and species - Phase 1" (see link).

Link(s):http://natura2000.moew.government.bg/Home/ProtectedSite?code=BG0000427&siteType=HabitatDirective

5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS

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5.1 Designation types at national and regional level (optional):

Code	Cover [%]
BG00	100.00

5.2 Relation of the described site with other sites (optional):

No information provided

5.3 Site designation (optional)

No information provided

6. SITE MANAGEMENT

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6.1 Body(ies) responsible for the site management:

Organisation:	Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water: Stara Zagora
Address:
Email:

6.2 Management Plan(s):

An actual management plan does exist:

	Yes
	No, but in preparation
X	No

6.3 Conservation measures (optional)

No information provided

 

7. MAP OF THE SITE

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INSPIRE ID:
Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional)
Yes X No

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SITE DISPLAY