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RO102
Comana
Location Romania, Muntenia
Central coordinates 26o 5.31' East  44o 8.50' North
IBA criteria C1, C2, C4, C6
Area 23,122 ha
Altitude 43 - 91m
Year of IBA assessment 2007

Romanian Ornithological Society



Ornithological information This is an important site for breeding and passage waterbirds. 212 species have been recorded from the lake and forest. Passage species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Pelecanus crispus and Gallinago media.

Site description The site includes the largest natural lake on the Romanian plain, associated with the Neajlov river. Approximately 75% of its surface is covered by reedbeds (Phragmites). The shallow waters increase in depth during periods of flood; intense silting is taking place. An area of forest lies to the south of the lake.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca breeding  1990-2006  50-100 breeding pairs  good  C1, C6  Near Threatened 
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus passage  1990-2006  750-1,000 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia passage  1990-2006  150-200 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris breeding  1990-2006  16-20 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus breeding  1990-2006  400-600 breeding pairs  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides passage  1990-2006  800-1,000 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea breeding  1990-2006  40-50 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Little Egret Egretta garzetta passage  1990-2006  1,000-1,500 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus passage  1990-2006  500-800 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus passage  1990-2006  100-200 individuals  good  C1  Near Threatened 
Corncrake Crex crex breeding  1990-2006  30-40 breeding pairs  good  C1  Least Concern 
Little Crake Porzana parva breeding  1990-2006  100-120 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Spotted Crake Porzana porzana breeding  1990-2006  60-80 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus passage  1990-2006  1,000-1,200 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta breeding  1990-2006  12-20 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta passage  1990-2006  1,200-1,300 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Ruff Philomachus pugnax passage  1990-2006  3,000-4,000 individuals  good  C6  Least Concern 
Common Tern Sterna hirundo breeding  1990-2006  100-150 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida breeding  1990-2006  800-1,000 breeding pairs  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida passage  1990-2006  6,000-8,000 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Black Tern Chlidonias niger passage  1990-2006  2,000-3,000 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
European Roller Coracias garrulus breeding  1990-2006  80-100 breeding pairs  good  C1  Near Threatened 
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus breeding  1990-2006  180-210 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria breeding  1990-2006  100-200 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica breeding  1990-2006  40-50 breeding pairs  good  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)  
Comana - ROSCI0043 Habitats Directive 25,326 protected area overlaps with site 20,306  
Comana - ROSPA0022 Birds Directive 24,950 protected area overlaps with site 20,306  
Gradinari Wood Nature Reserve 245 protected area overlaps with site 80  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest   10%
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation  90%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
fisheries/aquaculture 35%
hunting 35%
tourism/recreation 30%

Management considerations The main threats are from fishing and recreational activities. The reed is encroaching on areas of open water, reducing the overall area of this habitat. A management plan exists for the site.

Protection status National Partial International None80 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Grãdinari Wood, 245 ha).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Comana. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013

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