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RO130
Lake Techirghiol
Location Romania, Constanta,Dobrogea
Central coordinates 28o 35.46' East  44o 1.56' North
IBA criteria C1, C2, C3, C4, C6
Area 3,035 ha
Altitude 5 - 44m
Year of IBA assessment 2007

Romanian Ornithological Society



Ornithological information This is a very important site for wintering and passage waterbirds˜sometimes holding more than 20,000 wintering individuals. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Anser erythropus (2-10 wintering birds) and Circus macrourus (passage).

Site description This predominantly saltwater lake lies 18 km from Constanþa; it is separated from the Black Sea by a 200 m sand-spit. The high salt concentrations in the south-eastern part of the lake prevent it from freezing during winter. Narrow reedbeds (Phragmites) are found in the western part of the lake. Surrounding slopes support fragmented steppic vegetation and arable land.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons winter  1990-2006  20,000 individuals  good  C3  Least Concern 
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus winter  1990-2006  10 individuals  good  C6  Vulnerable 
Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis winter  1990-2006  7,000 individuals  good  C1, C2, C6  Endangered 
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus winter  1990-2006  40 individuals  good  C6  Least Concern 
Smew Mergellus albellus winter  1990-2006  180 individuals  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala winter  1990-2006  800 individuals  good  C1, C2, C6  Endangered 
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis passage  1990-2006  2,000 individuals  good  C3  Least Concern 
Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus winter  1990-2006  800 individuals  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus breeding  1990-2006  30 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus passage  1990-2006  600 individuals  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Little Gull Larus minutus passage  1990-2006  5,200 individuals  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
A4iii Species group - waterbirds passage  1990-2006  20,000 individuals  good  C4   

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Lacul Techirghiol - ROSPA0061 Birds Directive 3,031 protected area overlaps with site 2,856  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Wetlands (inland) Water fringe vegetation  -
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land  5%
Coastline Lagoons; Sand dunes & beaches  -

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture 5%
hunting 30%
tourism/recreation 10%

Management considerations The main threat is posed by decreasing salt-levels in the lake due to the irrigation of surrounding agricultural land and inflow from freshwater springs. In the western third of the lake two dams have been built to prevent the invasion of freshwater. Ducks and geese are hunted in winter.

Protection status National None International None

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lake Techirghiol. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife